This 195.5-mile drive from Sierra Vista, AZ, to Glendale, AZ, will take you about 3 hours and 36 minutes. It's a straightforward, single-day trip with a fuel cost estimated at $39. You'll be traveling primarily on highways like the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, with about 20% of the journey on highways. The route is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local drive rather than a high-speed interstate. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
97.7 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.5 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
41.4 mi
43m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi
38m
State Route 90
15 mi
17m
Maricopa Freeway
12 mi
13m
Huachuca Boulevard
9 mi
10m
Grand Avenue
7.1 mi
12m
South Freeway
6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sierra Vista, AZ and Glendale, AZ.
1
Start on this road
59 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Fry Boulevard
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Fry Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Buffalo Soldier Trail
1.5 mi·2 min·Buffalo Soldier Trail
4
Continue on AZ 90
3.0 mi·3 min·State Route 90
5
Continue on AZ 90
2.2 mi·3 min·South Huachuca Boulevard
6
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·13 min·State Route 90
7
Continue on AZ 90
9.0 mi·10 min·Huachuca Boulevard
8
Continue on AZ 90
1.3 mi·2 min·South State Highway 90
9
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
10
Merge onto I 10
41 mi·43 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi·6 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi·4 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 10
12 mi·13 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
19
Continue on I 10
0.9 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 143CToward 19th Avenue, Grand AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto North 19th Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 19th Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
22
Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue
7.1 mi·12 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left / slight left lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
US 60
Trip Plan
This 195.5-mile journey is easily manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Sierra Vista in the morning to make the most of daylight. With a total duration of 3 hours and 36 minutes and an estimated fuel cost of $39, planning for one stop along the way should be sufficient for fuel and a quick break. Keep an eye on your navigation as you'll encounter numerous turns on this 'turn-heavy local drive.' The longest stretch without a turn is 54.5 miles, so be prepared for more frequent adjustments to your course as you approach Glendale.
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 97.7 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 43 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.7 miles or 1h 49m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sierra Vista, 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 Sierra Vista, AZ
This is one driving day of about 195.5 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Sierra Vista, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.1 and 187.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
29.1 mi into trip|~36m in
Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
6
80.9 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
181.7 mi into trip|~3h 15m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
183.7 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
187.8 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue
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 143C
Toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.95 one way
$77.89 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$41.22
$82.43
premium
$5.59
$43.03
$86.07
diesel
$5.61
$43.16
$86.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.7
0
$20.53
$9.38
Efficient EV
48.9
0
$17.11
$7.82
EV Truck/SUV
78.2
0
$27.37
$12.51
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Sierra Vista, AZ
Evening
in Sierra Vista on Saturday
Local time
7:52 PM
MST
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 21 to 25 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 7:45PM MST until April 13 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Destination
Glendale, AZ
Evening
in Glendale on Saturday
Local time
7:52 PM
MST
Current temp
92°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
20 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 36m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 60.8
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 141.8
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...
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 195.5-mile trip between Sierra Vista and Glendale. While 20% of the route utilizes highways, the overall feel is more about navigating local roads with frequent directional changes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.5 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. This means you'll be actively engaged with the driving, with your attention shifting between different road segments and turns rather than settling into a long, monotonous highway cruise. The transition between the different main roads, including the Tucson-Benson Highway, will keep the experience dynamic.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson 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 29.1 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 10 significant decision points across 195.5 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 29.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.7 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,638 ft1,121 ft
Total Climb
7 ft
Total Descent
3,517 ft
Highest Point
4,638 ft
Elevation Range
3,517 ft
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 Sierra Vista, AZ to Glendale, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.
Sierra Vista (Spanish: Mountain View) is a city in Southeast Arizona and the commercial hub of the region, making it a convenient base from which to explore the area. It is perhaps best known for historic Fort Huachuca, established in 1877 during the Apache Wars. Although still an active U.S. Army military base, its two military museums and historic cemetery are open to the general public.
The landscape around the city is typical for the Southwestern United States, and the nearby mountains and canyons can be explored on foot, by bike, or on horseback. Because it is a major stopover point on avian migration routes, the area is popular with avid birdwatchers and naturalists, and is known as the "Hummingbird Capital of America".
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 195.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Glendale, 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 29.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.7 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Saguaro National Park, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Coronado National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Glendale, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
