Tucson to Winslow is 316.3 miles and takes about 5h 35m via Arizona Veterans Highway, Purple Heart Trail, and Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward drive. Expect mostly surface roads for a significant portion of the journey, which translates to a more relaxed pace. It’s a manageable one-day drive, perfect if you're looking for a direct route through the state without extensive highway time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
158.1 miles from Tucson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Tucson, AZ and Winslow, AZ.
1
Start on North Country Club Road
1.0 mi·2 min·North Country Club Road
2
Turn left onto East Speedway Boulevard
3.3 mi·7 min·East Speedway Boulevard
3
Turn right onto North Freeway Road
415 ft·7 sec·North Freeway Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 10 West
5
Merge onto I 10
2.5 mi·2 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi·4 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
12 mi·13 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.2 mi·4 min·Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 17; US 60
41 mi·45 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi·1 hr 17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
15
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi·43 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
17
Merge onto I 40
56 mi·56 min·Purple Heart Trail
18
Take the exit onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
0.4 mi·47 sec·I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
Exit 252Toward I 40 Business: Hipkoe Drive
19
Turn right onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
278 ft·4 sec·Hipkoe Drive
20
Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
0.3 mi·32 sec·West 3rd Steet
21
Continue on I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
1.5 mi·2 min·West 2nd Street
22
Turn left onto AZ 87; AZ 99
369 ft·13 sec·North Williamson Avenue
23
Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
296 ft·4 sec·East 3rd Street
24
Arrive at destination
I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
Trip Plan
For this 5.5-hour drive, leaving Tucson in the morning is ideal, allowing you to reach Winslow with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and mostly surface roads, flexibility is key. Plan your fuel stops carefully, as services might be more spread out between towns. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 90.6-mile stretch on Arizona Veterans Highway, as it represents the longest distance between potential services. Budget around $65 for fuel, and enjoy the less hurried pace of this route.
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 158.1 miles from Tucson, AZ, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 70 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.1 miles or 2h 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 4h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winslow, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tucson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 316.3 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Tucson, 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 90.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 313.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.8 mi into trip|~10m in|I 10 / North Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / North Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
11.1 mi into trip|~18m in|I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
111.9 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
5
257.5 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
5
313.9 mi into trip|~5h 31m in|I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
Take the exit onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist toward I 40 Business: Hipkoe Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 252
Toward I 40 Business: Hipkoe Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.59 one way
$129.18 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$68.71
$137.43
premium
$5.72
$71.22
$142.43
diesel
$5.35
$66.62
$133.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.9
1
$33.21
$15.18
Efficient EV
79.1
0
$27.68
$12.65
EV Truck/SUV
126.5
1
$44.28
$20.24
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Tucson, AZ
Afternoon
in Tucson on Wednesday
Local time
12:05 PM
MST
Current temp
67°F
Clear
SE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Winslow, AZ
Afternoon
in Winslow on Wednesday
Local time
12:05 PM
MST
Current temp
49°F
Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive 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
18 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
5h 35m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$25
near mile 272.7
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...
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 76.3
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$25
near mile 272.7
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
$10
near mile 207.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads, making up 81% of the total mileage. You'll spend most of your time cruising at lower speeds, with only 19% of the drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 90.6 miles along the Arizona Veterans Highway. Be prepared for a rural feel with fewer exits compared to interstate travel.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.6 mi on Arizona Veterans 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 4.8 miles in near I 10 / North Freeway.
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 12 significant decision points across 316.3 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 4.8 miles (I 10 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.9 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,675 ft1,111 ft
Total Climb
5,815 ft
Total Descent
3,444 ft
Highest Point
6,675 ft
~248.5 mi in
Elevation Range
5,563 ft
Notable High Points
6,675 ft at ~248.5 miles+271 ft prominence
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 Tucson, AZ to Winslow, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Albuquerque
257.5 mi in|~4h 33m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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.
Top landmarks
•Pima Air & Space Museum — aerospace museum in Tucson, Arizona, USA
•Arizona State Museum — museum in Arizona, United States
•Rialto Theatre — theater and concert venue in Tucson, Arizona, United States
Winslow is a small town on Route 66 in Northern Arizona. While the town itself is of limited interest, it is a convenient gateway to a number of regional attractions.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 316.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Winslow, 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. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (I 10 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.9 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Saguaro National Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Winslow, AZ before the return drive.
