Swift Trail Junction, AZ to Tucson, AZ is 119.2 miles and takes about 2h 10m via Benson-Steins Pass Highway and Tucson-Benson Highway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you through the Desert Southwest region of Arizona, offering a fairly direct path. It's a single-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay, making it ideal for a quick journey. The route is characterized by its numerous turns, so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience. This makes it a good option if you're looking for something a little different from a straightforward interstate cruise.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.6 miles from Swift Trail Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
49.1 mi
49m
Tucson-Benson Highway
37.9 mi
38m
Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
26.1 mi
31m
South Alvernon Way
2.1 mi
3m
South Country Club Road
1.6 mi
3m
East Barraza Aviation Highway
1 mi
1m
US 191
0.5 mi
1m
West Swift Trail
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
— 49.1 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swift Trail Junction, AZ and Tucson, AZ.
1
Start on West Swift Trail
102 ft·11 sec·West Swift Trail
2
Turn left onto US 191
26 mi·31 min·Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
3
Take the exit onto US 191
0.5 mi·1 min·US 191
4
Merge onto I 10; US 191
49 mi·49 min·Benson-Steins Pass Highway
5
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 265Toward Alvernon Way NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto South Alvernon Way
1.3 mi·1 min·South Alvernon Way
Use the left lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto South Alvernon Way
0.8 mi·1 min·South Alvernon Way
Toward Alvernon Way
9
Turn left
0.2 mi·23 sec
10
Turn straight onto AZ 210
1.0 mi·1 min·East Barraza Aviation Highway
11
Turn right onto South Country Club Road
1.6 mi·3 min·South Country Club Road
12
Continue on North Country Club Road
91 ft·2 sec·North Country Club Road
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 10m duration and 119.2 miles, this is a comfortably achievable same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to give yourself ample daylight and avoid driving after dark, especially given the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route. While there are no specific stops mentioned, you'll want to factor in potential brief pauses for gas or a quick break, especially since the longest stretch without a turn could be up to 49.1 miles. The estimated fuel cost is $24, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you set out from Swift Trail Junction to manage your budget effectively.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.6 miles from Swift Trail Junction, AZ, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
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 Swift Trail Junction, 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 Swift Trail Junction, AZ
This is one driving day of about 119.2 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Swift Trail Junction, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Benson-Steins Pass Highway for about 49.1 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 0 and 115.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
Turn left onto US 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
Navigation decision point
4
26.1 mi into trip|~31m in|US 191
Take the exit onto US 191
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
3
26.6 mi into trip|~32m in|I 10; US 191 / Benson-Steins Pass Highway
Merge onto I 10; US 191 / Benson-Steins Pass Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
7
113.6 mi into trip|~2h 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
5
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|South Alvernon Way
Keep slight right at fork onto South Alvernon Way toward Alvernon Way
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Alvernon Way
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.75 one way
$47.49 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$25.13
$50.26
premium
$5.59
$26.24
$52.48
diesel
$5.61
$26.32
$52.64
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: 41.7 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
35.8
0
$12.52
$5.72
Efficient EV
29.8
0
$10.43
$4.77
EV Truck/SUV
47.7
0
$16.69
$7.63
Gas CO2
42 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Swift Trail Junction, AZ
Late night
in Swift Trail Junction on Tuesday
Local time
3:37 AM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tucson, AZ
Late night
in Tucson on Tuesday
Local time
3:37 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
3 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 10m 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 107
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is described as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be navigating a series of curves rather than cruising on a straight highway. With 0% highway share, you'll be on local roads for the entire 119.2 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.1 miles along Benson-Steins Pass Highway. Expect the roads to feel more intimate and winding, requiring your attention throughout the 2h 10m journey. This isn't a route for autopilot; it's one where you'll be actively steering and adjusting your speed.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.1 mi on Benson-Steins Pass 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 early in the drive near US 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 10m 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: near the start (US 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway): Navigation decision point; at 26.1 miles (US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 26.6 miles (I 10; US 191 / Benson-Steins Pass Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining.
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.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.1 miles on Benson-Steins Pass 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: near the start (US 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway): Navigation decision point; at 26.1 miles (US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 26.6 miles (I 10; US 191 / Benson-Steins Pass Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes — Saguaro National Park. 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.
