This 207-mile drive from Pine, AZ to Tucson, AZ will take approximately 3 hours and 59 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily navigate on the South Beeline Highway, Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, with only about 10% of the journey on major highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $41 for this journey through the Desert Southwest. The route is characterized by frequent turns, so plan for a more engaged driving experience rather than a straightforward cruise. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 72.8 miles, you can cover this distance efficiently in a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
103.5 miles from Pine, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Beeline Highway
72.8 mi
1h 26m
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi
55m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi
38m
Payson-Winslow Highway
10.2 mi
14m
Price Freeway
9.4 mi
10m
North Freeway
3.6 mi
4m
Santan Freeway
3.1 mi
3m
West Broadway Boulevard
2.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
South Beeline Highway
— 72.8 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine, AZ and Tucson, AZ.
1
Start on 428
138 ft·5 sec·West Hardscrabble Mesa Road
2
Turn right onto AZ 87; AZ 260
10 mi·14 min·Payson-Winslow Highway
3
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
2.6 mi·3 min·Arizona State Highway 87
4
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Beeline Highway
5
Enter roundabout onto AZ 87; AZ 260
122 ft·2 sec·North Beeline Highway
6
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
0.6 mi·1 min·North Beeline Highway
7
Enter roundabout onto AZ 87; AZ 260
147 ft·3 sec·North Beeline Highway
8
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
1.2 mi·2 min·North Beeline Highway
9
Continue on AZ 87
73 mi·1 hr 26 min·South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto East McDowell Road
2.6 mi·4 min·East McDowell Road
11
Turn left
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop SouthUse the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
1.8 mi·2 min·Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
9.4 mi·10 min·Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 61BToward AZ 202 Loop WestUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
3.1 mi·3 min·Santan Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·41 sec
Exit 55A-BToward I 10 West: Tucson, Phoenix
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 55BToward I 10 East: TucsonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 10
55 mi·55 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 10
3.6 mi·4 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 258Toward Congress Street, Broadway BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto North Freeway Road
159 ft·4 sec·North Freeway Road
23
Turn left onto West Congress Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·West Congress Street
24
Continue on West Broadway Boulevard
2.9 mi·6 min·West Broadway Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Turn left onto North Country Club Road
131 ft·8 sec·North Country Club Road
26
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 59 minute duration and 207-mile distance, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for one planned stop without feeling rushed. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Pine. Since the route is 'turn-heavy,' pay close attention to your GPS and road signs, especially as you transition between the South Beeline Highway, Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. This flexibility allows you to depart when convenient and enjoy the journey at your own pace.
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 103.5 miles from Pine, AZ, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.8 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 46 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.5 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
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 Pine, 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 Pine, AZ
This is one driving day of about 207 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Pine, 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 South Beeline Highway for about 72.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 90.1 and 203.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
90.1 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Turn left toward AZ 101 Loop South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
8
101.8 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 202 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 61B
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
6
105.8 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Tucson, Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 55A-B
Toward I 10 West: Tucson, Phoenix
8
106.3 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 55B
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
8
203.3 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 258
Toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.68 one way
$73.36 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$39.28
$78.56
premium
$5.04
$41.09
$82.18
diesel
$4.80
$39.09
$78.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.1
0
$21.74
$9.94
Efficient EV
51.8
0
$18.11
$8.28
EV Truck/SUV
82.8
1
$28.98
$13.25
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Pine, AZ
Morning
in Pine on Sunday
Local time
10:31 AM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
N 2 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:44PM PDT until July 18 at 7:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:29PM PDT until July 18 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Tucson, AZ
Morning
in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
10:31 AM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:44PM PDT until July 18 at 7:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:29PM PDT until July 18 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
36 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
3h 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 208.3
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 136.5
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
$10
near mile 57.5
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 207-mile trip. While 10% of the route utilizes highways, the majority will be on local roads, requiring your attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 72.8 miles along the South Beeline Highway. This means the road's personality will shift frequently, offering a dynamic driving experience as you transition between different road types and potentially through various towns. Be prepared for a more hands-on approach to navigation and driving on this particular route.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.8 mi on South Beeline Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 90.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 207 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 90.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 101.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,373 ft1,165 ft
Total Climb
2,386 ft
Total Descent
5,278 ft
Highest Point
5,373 ft
Elevation Range
4,207 ft
Notable High Points
4,173 ft at ~44.4 miles+1,046 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Pine, AZ to Tucson, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Phoenix along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 207 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.8 miles on South Beeline Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Tucson, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 90.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 101.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Saguaro National Park, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Tucson, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
