Origin
Tombstone, AZ
Night in Tombstone on Saturday
Local time
9:22 PM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tombstone, AZ to 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
1h 29m
Distance
69.9 mi
112 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tombstone, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tucson, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Stretching 69.9 miles across the Desert Southwest, this trip from Tombstone to Tucson is a straightforward journey you can easily complete in 1 hour and 29 minutes. It functions perfectly as a quick day trip, allowing you to transition between these two iconic Arizona locations without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since the entire route stays within the arid landscape of the Desert Southwest, you will enjoy a consistent environmental feel throughout the drive. This itinerary is ideal for travelers who prefer a direct, no-fuss connection between these hubs.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 Bus | 38.6 mi | 40m |
| State Route 80 | 17.2 mi | 25m |
| South Lee Street | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| South Alvernon Way | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| East Patton Street | 2 mi | 2m |
| East 4th Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Country Club Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| East Barraza Aviation Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10 Bus
— 38.6 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tombstone, AZ and Tucson, 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
39 mi
·
40 min
·
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 265
Toward Alvernon Way North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto South Alvernon Way
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alvernon Way
Use the left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto South Alvernon Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alvernon Way
Toward Alvernon Way
15
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
16
Turn straight onto AZ 210
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Barraza Aviation Highway
17
Turn right onto South Country Club Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Country Club Road
18
Continue on North Country Club Road
91 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Country Club Road
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.9 miles from Tombstone, 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 0.1 and 66.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 4th Street
Turn left onto South 4th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AZ 80; US 80 Hist / East Fremont Street
Turn left onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist / East Fremont Street
Navigation decision point
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
64.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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
66.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m 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
$13.92 one way
$27.85 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $14.74 | $29.47 |
| premium | $5.59 | $15.39 | $30.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.43 | $30.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21 | 0 | $7.34 | $3.36 |
| Efficient EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.12 | $2.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28 | 0 | $9.79 | $4.47 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Tucson, AZ
Night in Tucson on Saturday
Local time
9:22 PM
MST
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
26 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
1h 29m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 80% of your travel takes place on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of State Route 80, South Lee Street, and I-10 Bus to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted portion of the trip spans 38.6 miles along I-10 Bus, providing a steady pace for the bulk of your journey. While the road begins with local connections, it quickly transitions into a more efficient, high-speed flow. Behind the wheel, you will find the route predictable and easy to manage, making it a low-stress transition between the two cities.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.6 mi on I 10 Bus.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 Bus and State Route 80. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South 4th Street.
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 69.9 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 0.1 miles (South 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (AZ 80; US 80 Hist / East Fremont Street): Navigation decision point; at 25.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
4,546 ft
2,481 ft
Total Climb
578 ft
Total Descent
2,643 ft
Highest Point
4,546 ft
Elevation Range
2,065 ft
Notable High Points
4,192 ft at ~29.9 miles
+176 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Tombstone, AZ to Tucson, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Alvernon Way North along the way.
Alvernon Way North
64.3 mi in
|
~1h 19m
About the Cities
Arriving in Tucson, AZ
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 69.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.6 miles on I 10 Bus. 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 Tucson, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (AZ 80; US 80 Hist / East Fremont Street): Navigation decision point; at 25.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Saguaro National Park and Coronado National Memorial. 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.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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