Joseph City to Tucson is 248.3 miles and takes about 5h 25m via Globe-Show Low Highway and Tucson-Globe Highway, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward path connecting two points. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect if you're looking for a direct connection without extensive detours. The route primarily uses surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a full interstate experience. Plan for a single stop along the way to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.2 miles from Joseph City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Joseph City, AZ and Tucson, AZ.
1
Start on I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
1.6 mi·3 min·Main Street
2
Take the ramp onto I 40 Business
0.3 mi·42 sec·I 40 Business
3
Merge onto I 40; US 180
7.4 mi·7 min·Purple Heart Trail
4
Take the exit onto US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
0.4 mi·52 sec·Holbrook-Springerville Highway
Toward I 40 Business East, US 180, AZ 77 South: Petrified Forest National Park, Show Low
5
Turn right onto US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
1.5 mi·2 min·West Hopi Drive
6
Turn right onto US 180; AZ 77
0.2 mi·13 sec·Navajo Boulevard
7
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi·56 sec·Holbrook-Springerville Highway
8
Continue on AZ 77
24 mi·28 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
9
Continue on AZ 77
2.0 mi·2 min·Arizona State Highway 77
10
Continue on AZ 77
0.2 mi·13 sec·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
11
Continue on AZ 77
2.4 mi·5 min·North Main Street
12
Continue on AZ 77
1.0 mi·2 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
13
Continue on AZ 77
0.4 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
14
Continue on AZ 77
11 mi·13 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
15
Continue on AZ 77
3.5 mi·4 min·North Penrod Road
16
Turn right onto US 60; AZ 77
3.0 mi·6 min·East Deuce of Clubs
17
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·Globe-Show Low Highway
18
Turn sharp left onto US 70; AZ 77
1.2 mi·1 min·East Ash Street
19
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi·1 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 77
61 mi·1 hr 21 min·Tucson-Globe Highway
21
Continue on AZ 77
2.0 mi·2 min·American Avenue
22
Continue on AZ 77
16 mi·21 min·Tucson-Globe Highway
23
Continue on AZ 77
14 mi·21 min·North Oracle Road
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto West Orange Grove Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Orange Grove Road
25
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
1.9 mi·3 min·North 1st Avenue
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto East River Road
1.2 mi·2 min·East River Road
27
Turn right onto North Campbell Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·North Campbell Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto East Fort Lowell Road
1.0 mi·1 min·East Fort Lowell Road
29
Turn right onto North Country Club Road
3.0 mi·6 min·North Country Club Road
30
Continue on North Country Club Road
182 ft·15 sec·North Country Club Road
31
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
Given this is a 5h 25m drive, leaving Joseph City in the morning should get you to Tucson with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically for fuel or a quick break around the halfway point. The route's reliance on surface roads means keeping an eye on local speed limits and potential for slower traffic is key. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $49, ensure you have enough gas before departing Joseph City, as services might be more spread out than on major interstates. This is a flexible drive, so you can adjust your stop timing as needed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.2 miles from Joseph City, AZ, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 55 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.2 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tucson, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Joseph City, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Joseph City, AZ
This is one driving day of about 248.3 miles and 5h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Joseph City, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Globe-Show Low Highway for about 83.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 242.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|I 40 Business
Take the ramp onto I 40 Business
Navigation decision point
5
9.3 mi into trip|~11m in|US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist / Holbrook-Springerville Highway
Take the exit onto US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist / Holbrook-Springerville Highway toward I 40 Business East, US 180, AZ 77 South: Petrified Forest National Park, Show Low
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 Business East, US 180, AZ 77 South:...
5
144.1 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 70; AZ 77 / East Ash Street
Turn sharp left onto US 70; AZ 77 / East Ash Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
239.7 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|North 1st Avenue
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
242.8 mi into trip|~5h 13m in|North Campbell Avenue
Turn right onto North Campbell Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.00 one way
$88.00 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$47.12
$94.24
premium
$5.04
$49.29
$98.58
diesel
$4.80
$46.88
$93.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.5
0
$26.07
$11.92
Efficient EV
62.1
0
$21.73
$9.93
EV Truck/SUV
99.3
1
$34.76
$15.89
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Joseph City, AZ
Late night
in Joseph City on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
MST
Current temp
65°F
Partly Cloudy
S 7 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tucson, AZ
Late night
in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
MST
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 3 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 25m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Saguaro National Park
National Park
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$25
near mile 248.3
A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
$25
near mile 17.1
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 100% of your time on surface roads, meaning no interstate cruising on this particular path. The longest continuous stretch without a significant turn or change is 83.5 miles along the Globe-Show Low Highway. This profile suggests you'll encounter more local traffic and potentially lower speed limits compared to highways. Expect a steady, if not rapid, pace as you navigate between towns.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.5 mi on Globe-Show Low Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near I 40 Business.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 25m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (I 40 Business): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist / Holbrook-Springerville Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 miles (US 70; AZ 77 / East Ash Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Tucson (TOO-sawn), also known as the "Old Pueblo", is the second-largest city in the state of Arizona and the county seat of Pima County in the Sonoran Desert. It is at a higher elevation than nearby Phoenix and is correspondingly cooler. Although with half a million residents it is smaller than the capital city, its cultural life is just as vibrant.
Top landmarks
•Pima Air & Space Museum — aerospace museum in Tucson, Arizona, USA
•Arizona State Museum — museum in Arizona, United States
•Rialto Theatre — theater and concert venue in Tucson, Arizona, United States
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.5 miles on Globe-Show Low Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (I 40 Business): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist / Holbrook-Springerville Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 miles (US 70; AZ 77 / East Ash Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Yes — Saguaro National Park, Petrified Forest National Park and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tucson, AZ before the return drive.
