Traveling from Tucson to Cottonwood covers 356.3 miles of the Desert Southwest, a journey that takes approximately 8 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best approached as a two-day trip rather than a single-day sprint. You should budget about $71 for fuel for the duration of the trek. Navigating via the Tucson-Globe Highway, the Globe-Show Low Highway, and the Purple Heart Trail provides a distinct experience compared to standard highway transit. Planning for an overnight stay allows you to manage the winding roads comfortably and enjoy the transition between these two Arizona hubs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.1 miles from Tucson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 55m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Tucson, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ.
1
Start on North Country Club Road
3.0 mi·6 min·North Country Club Road
2
Turn left onto East Fort Lowell Road
1.0 mi·1 min·East Fort Lowell Road
3
Turn right onto North Campbell Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·North Campbell Avenue
4
Turn left onto East River Road
1.2 mi·2 min·East River Road
5
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
1.9 mi·3 min·North 1st Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto East Orange Grove Road
0.5 mi·51 sec·East Orange Grove Road
7
Continue on West Orange Grove Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·West Orange Grove Road
8
Turn right onto AZ 77; US 80 Hist
14 mi·21 min·North Oracle Road
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on AZ 77
16 mi·21 min·Tucson-Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on AZ 77
2.0 mi·2 min·American Avenue
11
Continue on AZ 77
61 mi·1 hr 22 min·Tucson-Globe Highway
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 70; AZ 77
0.9 mi·1 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
13
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
1.1 mi·1 min·East Ash Street
14
Take the exit onto AZ 77
239 ft·6 sec·AZ 77
Use the right lane.
15
Merge onto US 60; AZ 77
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·Globe-Show Low Highway
16
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
3.0 mi·6 min·West Deuce of Clubs
17
Turn left onto AZ 77
3.5 mi·4 min·North Penrod Road
18
Continue on AZ 77
11 mi·13 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
19
Continue on AZ 77
0.4 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
20
Continue on AZ 77
1.0 mi·2 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
21
Continue on AZ 77
2.4 mi·5 min·South Main Street
22
Continue on AZ 77
0.2 mi·11 sec·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
23
Continue on AZ 77
2.0 mi·2 min·Arizona State Highway 77
24
Continue on AZ 77
24 mi·28 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
25
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi·56 sec·Holbrook-Springerville Highway
26
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.9 mi·1 min·Navajo Boulevard
27
Take the exit onto AZ 77
0.6 mi·1 min·AZ 77
28
Merge onto I 40; AZ 77
46 mi·45 min·Purple Heart Trail
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Toward US 191 North: Ganado
30
Turn left onto US 191
38 mi·56 min·Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
31
Turn left onto US 191; SR 264
5.9 mi·6 min·US 191; SR 264
32
Enter roundabout onto AZ 246
173 ft·2 sec·AZ 246
33
Continue on AZ 246
0.1 mi·6 sec·AZ 246
34
Merge onto AZ 264
2.4 mi·2 min·Arizona State Highway 264
35
Turn right onto N25
19 mi·44 min·Navajo Route 25
36
At end of road, turn left onto N251
0.3 mi·47 sec·Navajo Routes 25 and 251
37
Continue on N25
5.6 mi·13 min·Navajo Route 25
38
At end of road, turn left onto N4
0.9 mi·2 min·Navajo Route 4
39
Turn left
0.3 mi·1 min
40
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For the best experience, split your drive into two days to account for the 8-hour and 9-minute duration and the technical nature of the roads. Plan for at least two stops along the way to break up the drive and manage your fuel consumption, keeping your $71 budget in mind. Since this is a turn-heavy route, try to depart early in the morning to handle the winding sections during daylight hours when visibility is at its peak. Given the 83.4-mile longest stretch on the Globe-Show Low Highway, ensure your vehicle is fueled and ready before heading onto that specific segment. Taking your time on these local roads ensures you arrive in Cottonwood feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.1 miles from Tucson, AZ, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 78 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.1 miles or 3h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 178.1 miles or 3h 55m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cottonwood, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tucson, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tucson, AZ
Aim for roughly 178 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Cottonwood, AZ
Aim for roughly 178 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Tucson, AZ.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Globe-Show Low Highway for about 83.4 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 237.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3 mi into trip|~6m in|East Fort Lowell Road
Turn left onto East Fort Lowell Road
Navigation decision point
5
6.7 mi into trip|~14m in|North 1st Avenue
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
9.4 mi into trip|~19m in|AZ 77; US 80 Hist / North Oracle Road
Turn right onto AZ 77; US 80 Hist / North Oracle Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
104.2 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|AZ 77
Take the exit onto AZ 77
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
237.7 mi into trip|~5h 12m in|AZ 77
Take the exit onto AZ 77
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$70.98 one way
$141.96 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$75.12
$150.24
premium
$5.59
$78.43
$156.86
diesel
$5.61
$78.67
$157.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.9
1
$37.41
$17.10
Efficient EV
89.1
1
$31.18
$14.25
EV Truck/SUV
142.5
1
$49.88
$22.80
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Tucson, AZ
Evening
in Tucson on Saturday
Local time
6:15 PM
MST
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cottonwood, AZ
Evening
in Cottonwood on Saturday
Local time
7:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
89°F
Florence, AZ
178 mi in
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
15 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
8h 9m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Petrified Forest National Park
National Park
A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood...
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...
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
$10
near mile 110.6
This canyon is home to Diné families who raise livestock, grow crops and live here. People have lived in these canyons for nearly 5,000 years, which is longer than anyone has lived continuously on the...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 344
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by its technical nature rather than high-speed cruising, as only 10% of this route consists of traditional highway travel. You will find yourself navigating a series of turns that require your full attention throughout the 356.3-mile trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 83.4-mile segment along the Globe-Show Low Highway, which provides the most consistent rhythm for your journey. Because the profile is characterized by local road conditions, the pace is significantly slower and more demanding than typical interstate driving. Stay alert, as the changing road geometry keeps the drive engaging from start to finish.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.4 mi on Globe-Show Low Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near East Fort Lowell Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 356.3 miles you will encounter 20 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 3 miles (East Fort Lowell Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.7 miles (North 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (AZ 77; US 80 Hist / North Oracle Road): Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.4 miles on Globe-Show Low Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 178 miles on day one.
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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cottonwood, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (East Fort Lowell Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.7 miles (North 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (AZ 77; US 80 Hist / North Oracle Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petrified Forest National Park, Saguaro National Park and Tonto National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cottonwood, AZ before the return drive.
