Origin
Williamson, AZ
Evening in Williamson on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Williamson, 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
4h 15m
Distance
227.3 mi
366 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 2m
★
6 AM
4h 15m
8 AM
4h 41m
10 AM
4h 24m
12 PM
4h 22m
3 PM
4h 26m
5 PM
4h 40m
8 PM
4h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Williamson, AZ
cottonbro studio
Tucson, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Williamson, AZ to Tucson, AZ is 227.3 miles and takes about 4h 15m via the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway and Black Canyon Freeway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest, offering a straightforward, same-day journey. You'll encounter a mix of highway and local roads, making it a practical option if you're looking for a relatively quick trip between these two Arizona cities. The recommended single day of travel means you can depart and arrive within daylight hours, minimizing the need for overnight planning.
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
113.6 miles from Williamson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 38.4 mi | 42m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway | 21.3 mi | 26m |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 16.7 mi | 16m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 16.3 mi | 18m |
| Fain Road | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Prescott–Flagstaff Highway | 6.3 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamson, AZ and Tucson, AZ.
1
Start on West Old Stage Road
237 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Old Stage Road
2
Continue on Outer Loop Road
5.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Outer Loop Road
3
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
55 ft
·
0 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
4
Continue on AZ 89
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
5
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
80 ft
·
0 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
6
Continue on AZ 89
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
7
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
138 ft
·
2 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
8
Continue on AZ 89
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
9
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
148 ft
·
2 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
10
Continue on AZ 89
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
11
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward AZ 89A|none
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward AZ 89A
13
Continue on AZ 89A
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
14
Continue on Fain Road
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Fain Road
15
Turn left onto AZ 69
21 mi
·
26 min
·
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
16
Merge onto I 17
17 mi
·
16 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
17
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on I 17
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 17; US 60
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 10
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 10
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 258
Toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto North Freeway Road
159 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Freeway Road
27
Turn left onto West Congress Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
West Congress Street
28
Continue on West Broadway Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West Broadway Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Turn left onto North Country Club Road
131 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Country Club Road
30
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 15m estimated duration, leaving Williamson, AZ in the morning will comfortably get you to Tucson with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading out, as the longest stretch without a major break is over 50 miles. Consider making your single planned stop around the halfway point to refuel and stretch your legs before the final push into Tucson.
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 113.6 miles from Williamson, AZ, or about 2h 11m 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 50 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.6 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tucson, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Williamson, 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 Williamson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 227.3 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Williamson, 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 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 113.6 miles from Williamson, 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 223.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
AZ 89 / Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89 / Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
6.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
AZ 89 / Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89 / Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
12 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Turn left toward AZ 89A|none
Navigation decision point
Toward AZ 89A|none
6
12.2 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 89A
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward AZ 89A
8
223.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard
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 258
Toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.28 one way
$90.56 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $47.92 | $95.84 |
| premium | $5.59 | $50.03 | $100.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.18 | $100.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.2 | 0 | $23.87 | $10.91 |
| Efficient EV | 56.8 | 0 | $19.89 | $9.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.9 | 1 | $31.82 | $14.55 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Evening in Tucson on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
54°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
12 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
4h 15m 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.
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$25
near mile 227.3
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 156.8
View on nps.gov
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
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...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
$10
near mile 23.5
View on nps.gov
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
$10
near mile 23.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with 26% of the journey on highways. Expect to navigate a variety of road types as you transition between major freeways and more localized routes. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 54.6 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. This means the drive won't be a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, you'll be making more frequent adjustments and experiencing different driving conditions as you progress toward Tucson.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 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?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in near AZ 89 / Prescott–Ash Fork Highway.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 227.3 miles you will encounter 8 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 5.9 miles (AZ 89 / Prescott–Ash Fork Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.7 miles (AZ 89 / Prescott–Ash Fork Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 12 miles: Navigation decision point.
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 4h 15m. Total distance: 227.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (26%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles (AZ 89 / Prescott–Ash Fork Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.7 miles (AZ 89 / Prescott–Ash Fork Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 12 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Saguaro National Park, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tuzigoot National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Tucson, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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