Origin
Pirtleville, AZ
Late night in Pirtleville on Sunday
Local time
2:58 AM
MST
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pirtleville, AZ to Tucson, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
121.9 mi
196 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pirtleville, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Tucson, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 121.9-mile drive from Pirtleville, AZ to Tucson, AZ will take you approximately 2 hours and 33 minutes. It's a straightforward, one-day trip well within the scope of a single day's travel, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $24. You'll primarily be on the Tucson-Benson Highway, AZ 80, and State Route 90. This route offers a mixed driving experience through the Desert Southwest region, making it an efficient way to connect these two Arizona locations.
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
61 miles from Pirtleville, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 36.4 mi | 37m |
| AZ 80 | 31.5 mi | 42m |
| State Route 90 | 17.1 mi | 20m |
| Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| Huachuca Boulevard | 9 mi | 10m |
| State Route 90 Bypass | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| South Huachuca Boulevard | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| South Alvernon Way | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Tucson-Benson Highway
— 36.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pirtleville, AZ and Tucson, AZ.
1
Start on this road
290 ft
·
23 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto West Pirtle Avenue
461 ft
·
22 sec
·
West Pirtle Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Douglas Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Douglas Avenue
4
Turn right onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
21 mi
·
26 min
·
AZ 80; US 80 Hist
5
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Douglas Road
6
Merge onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
10 mi
·
15 min
·
AZ 80; US 80 Hist
7
Turn left onto AZ 90
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
8
Continue on AZ 90
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 90
9
Continue on AZ 90
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
10
Turn right onto AZ 90
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 90 Bypass
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on AZ 90
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
State Route 90
12
Continue on AZ 90
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Huachuca Boulevard
13
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 90
14
Continue on AZ 90
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Huachuca Boulevard
15
Continue on AZ 90
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South State Highway 90
16
Turn left
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
17
Merge onto I 10
36 mi
·
37 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 265
Toward Alvernon Way North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto South Alvernon Way
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alvernon Way
Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto South Alvernon Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alvernon Way
Toward Alvernon Way
21
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
22
Turn straight onto AZ 210
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Barraza Aviation Highway
23
Turn right onto South Country Club Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Country Club Road
24
Continue on North Country Club Road
91 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Country Club Road
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 33-minute duration, an early morning departure from Pirtleville is recommended to maximize your time in Tucson. With only one stop likely needed, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services is 36.4 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $24 should be budgeted for. A practical tip for this drive is to ensure you have a full tank before departing Pirtleville, as services might be less frequent on the initial highway segments.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61 miles from Pirtleville, AZ, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.4 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 27 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 6m
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 Pirtleville, 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 Pirtleville, AZ
This is one driving day of about 121.9 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Pirtleville, 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 Tucson-Benson Highway for about 36.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61 miles from Pirtleville, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 116.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Pirtle Avenue
Turn right onto West Pirtle Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
47.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass
Turn right onto AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
79.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
5
80 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
116.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward Alvernon Way North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265
Toward Alvernon Way North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.28 one way
$48.57 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $25.70 | $51.40 |
| premium | $5.59 | $26.83 | $53.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.91 | $53.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.80 | $5.85 |
| Efficient EV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.67 | $4.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.07 | $7.80 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Tucson, AZ
Late night in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
2:58 AM
MST
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live 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
8 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
2h 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 113.5
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
Coronado National Memorial
National Memorial
It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and over a thousand Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 46.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 55% of the journey utilizing highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.4 miles along the Tucson-Benson Highway. This segment likely provides a consistent pace, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. As you progress, the road character may shift, transitioning between faster highway sections and potentially more varied local road conditions as you approach Tucson.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.4 mi on Tucson-Benson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Pirtle Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 121.9 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Pirtle Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.5 miles (AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Pirtleville, AZ to Tucson, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.
Tuscon
79.4 mi in
|
~1h 44m
About the Cities
Arriving in Tucson, AZ
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 121.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.4 miles on Tucson-Benson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Pirtle Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.5 miles (AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Saguaro National Park and Coronado National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tucson, AZ before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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