Traveling from Tempe to Bisbee covers 207.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 54 minutes. Because this journey remains entirely within the Desert Southwest, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout the trip. While it is technically possible to complete this drive as a one-day excursion, the duration makes it a full commitment. Budgeting approximately $41 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for your departure. Since you only have one stop scheduled, this route works best for those who prefer steady progress over frequent sightseeing breaks. It is a straightforward trek that connects the Phoenix metro area to the unique atmosphere of Bisbee.
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
103.7 miles from Tempe, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
41.4 mi
43m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi
38m
State Route 90
16.5 mi
19m
Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
13.3 mi
16m
Huachuca Boulevard
9.1 mi
10m
AZ 80
6.9 mi
9m
Maricopa Freeway
6.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe, AZ and Bisbee, AZ.
1
Start on US 80 Hist
0.2 mi·27 sec·East Apache Boulevard
2
Continue on US 80 Hist
0.2 mi·37 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
2.0 mi·3 min·South McClintock Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 60 West: PhoenixUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto US 60
2.5 mi·2 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 10 East: TucsonUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
8
Merge onto I 10
6.1 mi·7 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
55 mi·55 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi·6 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
41 mi·43 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 302Toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
14
Turn right onto AZ 90
1.2 mi·1 min·South State Highway 90
15
Continue on AZ 90
9.1 mi·10 min·Huachuca Boulevard
16
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·14 min·State Route 90
17
Continue on AZ 90
2.2 mi·3 min·North Huachuca Boulevard
18
Continue on AZ 90
3.0 mi·3 min·State Route 90
19
Turn left onto AZ 90
4.4 mi·6 min·State Route 90 Bypass
20
Turn left onto AZ 90
1.5 mi·2 min·Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on AZ 90
1.6 mi·2 min·State Route 90
22
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·14 min·Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
23
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
6.9 mi·9 min·AZ 80; US 80 Hist
24
Take the exit
290 ft·9 sec
25
Turn right
158 ft·4 sec
26
Keep slight right at fork
117 ft·3 sec
27
Continue on US 80 Hist
0.5 mi·1 min·Tombstone Canyon Road
28
Turn left onto Moon Canyon
47 ft·4 sec·Moon Canyon
29
Turn right
86 ft·6 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key to managing this four-hour drive comfortably. Since you have only one planned stop, ensure you choose a location that allows you to refuel and stretch your legs effectively during the mid-point of your journey. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, it is wise to avoid driving during peak traffic hours if you want a smoother experience. Keep your $41 fuel budget handy and fill up before hitting the more rural, turn-heavy sections of the route. Because this trip is designed as a one-day affair, having the flexibility to leave early gives you the best chance to arrive in Bisbee with plenty of daylight remaining.
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 103.7 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.7 miles or 1h 51m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bisbee, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tempe, 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 Tempe, AZ
This is one driving day of about 207.4 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Tempe, 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 54.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 152.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|South McClintock Drive
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
5
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
5.2 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East: Tucson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
6
152.5 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 302
Toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.32 one way
$82.63 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$43.73
$87.45
premium
$5.59
$45.65
$91.30
diesel
$5.61
$45.79
$91.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.2
0
$21.78
$9.96
Efficient EV
51.9
0
$18.15
$8.30
EV Truck/SUV
83
1
$29.04
$13.27
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 15, 2026
Origin
Tempe, AZ
Night
in Tempe on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bisbee, AZ
Night
in Bisbee on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
MST
Current temp
49°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
44 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 54m 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 121.6
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 42.9
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 185.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by a turn-heavy local profile that requires your full attention behind the wheel. You will spend about 28% of your time on highways, navigating a mix of the Phoenix-Casa Grande, Casa Grande-Tucson, and Tucson-Benson highways. The longest uninterrupted section you will face is a 54.6-mile stretch along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. As you transition from major thoroughfares to more local roads, the driving experience shifts from high-speed cruising to more technical maneuvers. This variation ensures the drive remains engaging rather than monotonous as you make your way toward your destination.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.6 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.4 miles in near South McClintock Drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 207.4 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 0.4 miles (South McClintock Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Tempe, AZ to Bisbee, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Sierra Vista along the way.
Sierra Vista
152.5 mi in|~2h 42m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 207.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.6 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 Bisbee, 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 0.4 miles (South McClintock Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Bisbee, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
