Origin
Tempe, AZ
Night in Tempe on Saturday
Local time
9:25 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe, AZ to South Tucson, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h
Distance
111.3 mi
179 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 52m
★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 8m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
South Tucson, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Tempe, AZ to South Tucson, AZ is 111.3 miles and takes about 2 hours via Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest, specifically within Arizona, offering a straightforward connection between two cities. Given its relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a same-day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. The profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for more frequent navigation adjustments than a typical interstate journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.6 miles from Tempe, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| North Freeway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Superstition Freeway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| South McClintock Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| West 22nd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South 6th Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
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 South Tucson, 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: Phoenix
Use 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: Tucson
Use 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
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 259
Toward 22nd Street - 29th Street, Starr Pass Boulevard, Silverlake Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on South Freeway Road
377 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Freeway Road
14
Turn left onto West 22nd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West 22nd Street
15
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
South 6th Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour drive covering 111.3 miles, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Consider leaving in the morning to make the most of your day in South Tucson, or opt for an afternoon departure to avoid any potential midday heat. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before you leave Tempe, as stops are not a feature of this route. Pay close attention to navigation, especially as the profile indicates a turn-heavy local drive, and be ready to adjust your route as needed.
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 55.6 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 1h 2m 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 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.6 miles or 1h 2m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Tucson, 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 111.3 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Tempe, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.6 miles from Tempe, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 109.6 — 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
8
109.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward 22nd Street - 29th Street, Starr Pass Boulevard, Silverlake Road
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 259
Toward 22nd Street - 29th Street, Starr Pass Bo...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.17 one way
$44.34 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $23.47 | $46.93 |
| premium | $5.59 | $24.50 | $49.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.57 | $49.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.69 | $5.34 |
| Efficient EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.74 | $4.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.5 | 0 | $15.58 | $7.12 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
South Tucson, AZ
Night in South Tucson on Saturday
Local time
9:25 PM
MST
Current temp
55°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
38 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
2h 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.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
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 42.2
View on nps.gov
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$25
near mile 111.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll encounter more varied road types and frequent directional changes. With only a 12% highway share, expect a significant portion of your 111.3 miles to be on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 54.6 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, offering a good segment of consistent driving before the turns pick up again. The route transitions from the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway and Maricopa Freeway, indicating an initial urban feel before settling into the local driving character.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near South McClintock Drive.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 111.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 111.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 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.
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 South Tucson, 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. 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 — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and 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 South 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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