Traveling from Tombstone to Scottsdale covers 188.4 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect a drive time of approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. You will primarily navigate via the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, I-10 Bus, and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $37, the route is budget-friendly and straightforward for most travelers. While you could easily push through in one go, planning for at least one stop allows for a more relaxed pace as you transition between these iconic Arizona locations.
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
94.2 miles from Tombstone, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.5 mi
55m
I 10 Bus
43.6 mi
46m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi
38m
State Route 80
17.2 mi
25m
Price Freeway
10.5 mi
12m
South Freeway
6 mi
6m
Pima Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
South Lee Street
4.2 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tombstone, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on this road
295 ft·27 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South 4th Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·South 4th Street
3
Turn left onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi·23 sec·East Fremont Street
4
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
0.1 mi·11 sec·North Sumner Street
5
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
12 mi·17 min·State Route 80
6
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
4.2 mi·6 min·South Lee Street
7
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
2.0 mi·2 min·East Patton Street
8
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
5.3 mi·8 min·State Route 80
9
Turn left
63 ft·2 sec
10
Turn right onto I 10 Bus
1.8 mi·2 min·East 4th Street
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
44 mi·46 min·I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 10 West: TucsonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi·6 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi·4 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 161A-BToward AZ 202 LoopUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 161BToward AZ 202 Loop EastUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
3.1 mi·3 min·Santan Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto Price Freeway
1.2 mi·1 min·Price Freeway
Exit 50AToward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
9.3 mi·10 min·Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
4.9 mi·5 min·Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 46Toward Chaparral RoadUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Chaparral Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left
64 ft·4 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 32-minute journey, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours near the larger metro hubs. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that time to stretch your legs and refresh before hitting the busier Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer 54.5-mile stretches to ensure you remain within your $37 budget. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on a trip of this length, so feel free to adjust your pace based on the road conditions you encounter. Given the mixed nature of the roads, staying alert during the transition between the local highways and the main interstate corridors will ensure a smooth arrival.
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 94.2 miles from Tombstone, AZ, or about 1h 52m 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 41 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.2 miles or 1h 52m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsdale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tombstone, 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 Tombstone, AZ
This is one driving day of about 188.4 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Tombstone, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.7 and 187.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
25.7 mi into trip|~39m in|I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist toward I 10 West: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
7
168 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A-B
Toward AZ 202 Loop
8
168.1 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161B
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
7
172 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|Price Freeway
Take the exit onto Price Freeway toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 50A
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
187.3 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward Chaparral Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.53 one way
$75.06 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$39.72
$79.44
premium
$5.59
$41.47
$82.94
diesel
$5.61
$41.60
$83.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.5
0
$19.78
$9.04
Efficient EV
47.1
0
$16.49
$7.54
EV Truck/SUV
75.4
0
$26.38
$12.06
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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 16, 2026
Origin
Tombstone, AZ
Late night
in Tombstone on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Late night
in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
MST
Current temp
88°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
8 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 32m 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 58.5
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 136.4
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?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that balances efficiency with local road navigation. You will spend about 45% of your time on highways, providing a blend of open road cruising and slower-paced segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 54.5 miles spent on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you move away from the smaller corridors and onto the major transport arteries, the character of the road shifts from regional thoroughfares to busier interstate-style travel. Be prepared for these transitions in road intensity as you navigate toward the Scottsdale area.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 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?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.7 miles in near I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 188.4 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 25.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Scottsdale is a city in the state of Arizona. Scottsdale is home to many galleries, high quality resorts, and golf courses. It is also one of the wealthier parts of the Phoenix Metro Area.
Top landmarks
•Taliesin West — Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
•Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art — art museum
•Little Red Schoolhouse — now used as the Scottsdale Historical Museum, NRHP-listed
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 188.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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 Scottsdale, 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 25.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.1 miles: 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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Scottsdale, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
