Snowflake, AZ to Tucson, AZ is 209.7 miles and takes about 4h 39m via Globe-Show Low Highway and Tucson-Globe Highway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest region, transitioning from central Arizona towards the southern part of the state. Expect a drive that primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the landscape as you travel. Given the single-day duration and moderate distance, it's a manageable drive for most, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
104.8 miles from Snowflake, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Snowflake, AZ and Tucson, AZ.
1
Start on East 3rd Street North
157 ft·8 sec·East 3rd Street North
2
Turn left onto AZ 77
2.4 mi·5 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on AZ 77
1.0 mi·2 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
4
Continue on AZ 77
0.4 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
5
Continue on AZ 77
11 mi·13 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
6
Continue on AZ 77
3.5 mi·4 min·North Penrod Road
7
Turn right onto US 60; AZ 77
3.0 mi·6 min·East Deuce of Clubs
8
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·Globe-Show Low Highway
9
Turn sharp left onto US 70; AZ 77
1.2 mi·1 min·East Ash Street
10
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi·1 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 77
61 mi·1 hr 21 min·Tucson-Globe Highway
12
Continue on AZ 77
2.0 mi·2 min·American Avenue
13
Continue on AZ 77
16 mi·21 min·Tucson-Globe Highway
14
Continue on AZ 77
14 mi·21 min·North Oracle Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto West Orange Grove Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Orange Grove Road
16
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
1.9 mi·3 min·North 1st Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto East River Road
1.2 mi·2 min·East River Road
18
Turn right onto North Campbell Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·North Campbell Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto East Fort Lowell Road
1.0 mi·1 min·East Fort Lowell Road
20
Turn right onto North Country Club Road
3.0 mi·6 min·North Country Club Road
21
Continue on North Country Club Road
182 ft·15 sec·North Country Club Road
22
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 39-minute drive, leaving in the morning is ideal, giving you ample daylight to complete the 209.7 miles. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically along the Globe-Show Low Highway or Tucson-Globe Highway. The fuel cost is estimated at $43, so ensure your tank is full before departing Snowflake, AZ. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time or stop duration 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 104.8 miles from Snowflake, AZ, or about 2h 7m 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 46 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.8 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 38m
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 Snowflake, 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 Snowflake, AZ
This is one driving day of about 209.7 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Snowflake, 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 204.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
18.9 mi into trip|~25m in|US 60; AZ 77 / East Deuce of Clubs
Turn right onto US 60; AZ 77 / East Deuce of Clubs
Navigation decision point
5
105.4 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
4
107.4 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
201 mi into trip|~4h 21m in|North 1st Avenue
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
204.1 mi into trip|~4h 26m in|North Campbell Avenue
Turn right onto North Campbell Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.16 one way
$74.32 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$39.79
$79.59
premium
$5.04
$41.63
$83.25
diesel
$4.80
$39.60
$79.19
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: 73.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.9
0
$22.02
$10.07
Efficient EV
52.4
0
$18.35
$8.39
EV Truck/SUV
83.9
1
$29.36
$13.42
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Snowflake, AZ
Afternoon
in Snowflake on Sunday
Local time
12:47 PM
MST
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 10 mph55% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:03PM MST until July 18 at 5:30PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:01PM MST until July 18 at 5:45PM MST by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Tucson, AZ
Afternoon
in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
12:47 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:03PM MST until July 18 at 5:30PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:01PM MST until July 18 at 5:45PM MST 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
11 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
4h 39m 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 209.7
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?
This drive is almost entirely on surface roads, with a 0% highway share. You'll spend most of your time on routes like the Globe-Show Low Highway and the Tucson-Globe Highway. The longest continuous stretch without a significant turn or change in road type is 83.5 miles on the Globe-Show Low Highway. You'll likely notice the transition from more rural cruising to areas with more local traffic as you approach Tucson.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 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 18.9 miles in near US 60; AZ 77 / East Deuce of Clubs.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 39m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18.9 miles (US 60; AZ 77 / East Deuce of Clubs): Navigation decision point; at 105.4 miles (US 70; AZ 77 / East Ash Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 107.4 miles (AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 8 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.
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 18.9 miles (US 60; AZ 77 / East Deuce of Clubs): Navigation decision point; at 105.4 miles (US 70; AZ 77 / East Ash Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 107.4 miles (AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Saguaro National Park and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Tucson, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
