Origin
Rowood, AZ
Late night in Rowood on Tuesday
Local time
1:48 AM
MST
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rowood, AZ to Tucson, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
133.7 mi
215 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rowood, AZ
Mark Stebnicki
Tucson, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 133.7-mile drive from Rowood, AZ to Tucson, AZ is a feasible day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via North Tucson-Ajo Highway and West Ajo Highway, with a significant portion being on these local roads rather than interstates. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $27. Given its manageable length and the nature of the drive, it's best suited for a single day of travel. Both your origin and destination are within the Desert Southwest region, so expect consistent arid landscapes throughout your journey.
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
66.9 miles from Rowood, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Tucson-Ajo Highway | 93.7 mi | 1h 51m |
| West Ajo Highway | 23 mi | 28m |
| Tucson-Ajo Highway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| West 22nd Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| West Ajo Way | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Broadway Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| Gila Bend-Lukeville Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Nogales–Tucson Highway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Tucson-Ajo Highway
— 93.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rowood, AZ and Tucson, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 85
8.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Tucson-Ajo Highway
2
Continue on AZ 85
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Lukeville Highway
3
Continue on AZ 85
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Tucson-Ajo Highway
4
Continue on AZ 85
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Sonoita Highway
5
Turn left onto AZ 86
94 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
North Tucson-Ajo Highway
6
Continue on AZ 86
23 mi
·
28 min
·
West Ajo Highway
7
Continue on AZ 86
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Ajo Way
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
9
Merge onto I 19
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Nogales–Tucson Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 102
Toward 29th Street/22nd Street, Silverlake Road, Starr Pass Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on South Freeway Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Freeway Road
12
Turn right onto West 22nd Street
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West 22nd Street
13
Turn slight left
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
14
Turn straight onto South Kino Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Kino Parkway
15
Continue on South Campbell Avenue
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
South Campbell Avenue
16
Turn right onto East Broadway Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Broadway Boulevard
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto North Country Club Road
131 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Country Club Road
18
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
With a duration of under three hours, this trip from Rowood to Tucson is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon heat, especially in the Desert Southwest. You'll encounter one designated stop along the way, but with flexibility, you can choose your own points of interest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without major route changes is over 90 miles. A good tip is to ensure you have a full tank before leaving Rowood, as services might be more spaced out on the North Tucson-Ajo Highway.
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 66.9 miles from Rowood, AZ, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.7 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.9 miles or 1h 20m 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 11m
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 Rowood, 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 Rowood, AZ
This is one driving day of about 133.7 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Rowood, 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 North Tucson-Ajo Highway for about 93.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.9 miles from Rowood, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Tucson-Ajo Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
4 of 44 decision points cluster between mile 9.8 and 132.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
9.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
AZ 86 / North Tucson-Ajo Highway
Turn left onto AZ 86 / North Tucson-Ajo Highway
Navigation decision point
3
128.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
I 19 / Nogales–Tucson Highway
Merge onto I 19 / Nogales–Tucson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
9
128.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 29th Street/22nd Street, Silverlake Road, Starr Pass Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 102
Toward 29th Street/22nd Street, Silverlake Road...
5
132.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
East Broadway Boulevard
Turn right onto East Broadway Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.63 one way
$53.27 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $28.19 | $56.38 |
| premium | $5.59 | $29.43 | $58.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.52 | $59.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.04 | $6.42 |
| Efficient EV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.70 | $5.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.5 | 0 | $18.72 | $8.56 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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 Tuesday
Local time
1:48 AM
MST
Current temp
83°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
28 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 46m 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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$25
near mile 133.7
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
National Monument
Look closely. Look again. The sights and sounds of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, an International Biosphere Reserve, reveal a thriving community of plants and animals. Human stories echo throug...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
$25
near mile 13.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, with 100% of the journey on local roads. You won't encounter any interstate driving here. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 93.7 miles on North Tucson-Ajo Highway, indicating a substantial period of consistent travel on this particular road. The profile suggests a drive that requires more attention to turns and local road navigation compared to a straightforward highway cruise. Expect the road to feel more intimate and less like a high-speed transit corridor.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.7 mi on North Tucson-Ajo Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 9.8 miles in near AZ 86 / North Tucson-Ajo Highway.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 46m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.8 miles (AZ 86 / North Tucson-Ajo Highway): Navigation decision point; at 128.1 miles (I 19 / Nogales–Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 128.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 46m. Total distance: 133.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.7 miles on North Tucson-Ajo Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.8 miles (AZ 86 / North Tucson-Ajo Highway): Navigation decision point; at 128.1 miles (I 19 / Nogales–Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 128.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Saguaro National Park and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. 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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