How far is Tucson from Phoenix? This is a question that many people ask, and the answer varies depending on who you ask. Some say that Phoenix to Tucson is about a two-hour drive, while others say it is three hours. This blog post will explore the different answers to this question and help you figure out the best way to get from Tucson to Phoenix.

A Long Drive From Hudson to Phoenix

Let me tell you a story of a person from Tucson who, in a recent letter to the editor of the Arizona Daily Star, describes how difficult it was to drive from Tucson to Phoenix late at night after he had been drinking. 

His trip took several hours; he drove through Nogales and took I-19 straight down Tucson. The problem with this route is that it is very long and drives through multiple border patrol checkpoints. 

Phoenix to Tucson
Phoenix to Tucson

The best way to make this trip is to avoid the border checkpoints by taking State Route 80 or I-10. We’ve prepared the following table for you to estimate your time traveling from different spots to Tucson:

How far is Tucson from Phoenix?
Driving RouteMilesTime
North On SR 79 (from Tucson)671 hour 40 min
Driving South on SR 79 (to Tucson)1322 hours 41 min
North on SR 86 (from Tucson)3350 min
South on SR 86 (to Tucson)3955 min
Driving East on I-10 (from Tucson)1182 hours 16 min
West on I-10 (from Tucson)951 hour 49 min
North on I-19 (from Tucson)1263 hours 9 min
Driving South on I-19 (to Tucson)1623 hours 38 min
North on I-10 (from Phoenix)851 hour 52 min
Driving South on I-10 (to Phoenix)951 hour 55 min

If you want to look up other ways to get from Tucson to Phoenix, you can use Google Maps. We hope that looking at the different routes on google maps will give you a better idea of how far away these two cities are and what route would be best for you to take!

How many Miles is Tucson From Phoenix In Miles?

If you are looking for the distance measured in miles between Tucson and Phoenix, these are the measurements.

Drive from Phoenix to Tucson
Drive from Phoenix to Tucson
  • The driving distance from Tucson to Phoenix is 192 miles.
  • The flying distance from Tucson to Phoenix is 187 miles.

You can get the best tickets for yourself, and can 

What To Do In Tucson? 5 Best Things To Do in Tucson

Tucson is one of the gateway cities to Mexico, located in Southern Arizona. Its rich history and culture make it a hot spot for tourists looking for fun things to do in Tucson! Here are some great ideas of things to do when you visit Tucson:

San Tan Mountain Regional Park

San Tan Mountain Regional Park is one of the most beautiful parks you want to see on your Tucson visit. This park is about 163,000 acres and has many trails to enjoy hiking on. 

San Tan Mountain Regional Park
San Tan Mountain Regional Park

This park also includes wildlife like:

  • Golden eagles
  • Mountain lions
  • Oryx (antelope)
  • Javelinas (wild pigs)
  • Other native species

There are over 32 different trails for you to explore in this park!

Casa Grande Ruins

Let’s tell you about a great place in Coolidge, AZ. If you want to learn more about the Hohokam people that inhabited the area from 1100 to around 1450, that’s the perfect spot for you.

Do you want to know the best part of visiting this monument? It’s FREE! Yes, you don’t have to pay any fees for this! Also, there are several trails and informational plaques on the site if you want to learn more about the history of Casa Grande.

Gallopin’ Goose Saloon

The Gallopin’ Goose Saloon is a great place to go on your visit to Tucson. Although it is located in the small town of Hereford, Arizona, it is definitely worth your time.

Gallopin' Goose Saloon
Gallopin’ Goose Saloon

What makes this place so unique? The Gallopin’ Goose Saloon has been featured in multiple movies, television shows, and even video games. In addition, it is a great place for drinking and eating. And also for those who are history buffs and love to learn about the past. Tucson offers a little bit of everything, whether you enjoy such as:

  • Art
  • History
  • Adventure

Tom Mix Memorial

If you are looking for a memorial in Tucson, then the Tom Mix Memorial is the place to go. If you’re not familiar with who Tom Mix was, he loved to ride in the Wild West and loved being around horses. 

The best part about this memorial? It’s also free like the Casa Grande Ruins National and, it’s located in Old Tucson Studios, which you can get discounted tickets for if you visit this memorial.

Picacho Peak State Park

Picacho Peak State Park is located in Arizona and New Mexico; The Park is a great way to get away from everything. It’s about 50 miles west of Tucson in Picacho, AZ. 

Picacho Peak State Park
Picacho Peak State Park

This park has over 4,000 acres, perfect for hiking or even rock climbing! Some of the most popular trails in this park are:

  • Angel Peak trailhead
  • Granite Basin trailhead

Finally, if you have time, you can even enjoy the desert garden in this park. So get ready to plan your Tucson adventure! We hope these ideas help you get started. Happy travels!

Final Verdict: How Far is Tucson from Phoenix?

Tucson is about a five-hour drive from Phoenix. For those looking for an adventure, you can use the map to find interesting places along the way, like San Tan Mountain Regional Park in Apache Junction or Picacho Peak State Park near Casa Grande Ruins. 

View from Tucson
View from Tucson

If you have questions about this post, please let us know in the comment section below! We hope that these tips help make your next long drive more enjoyable and less stressful than it would otherwise be.

FAQs

What are the driving directions from Tucson to Phoenix?

The driving directions from Tucson to Phoenix are about 190 miles. The drive will take about three hours and fifteen minutes, depending on traffic.

To get from Tucson to Phoenix:

  1. Take I-10 east to US 60 southeast.
  2. Now, take the exit for AZ Loop 202 east, then take AZ Loop 101 north.
  3. Take the exit for I-17 north, then take the exit for I-10 west.
  4. Lastly, take the exit for US 60 west to reach Phoenix.

Is it worth driving an entire day to get to Phoenix if I come from Tucson?

It depends on how far Tucson is from Phoenix. If you’re coming from Tucson, it’s only about a 2-hour drive. So it’s worth it to make the trip!

Should I drive or fly when traveling between these two cities? 

If you want to save on travel time, you should fly between Tucson and Phoenix. The distance between the two cities is about 190 miles, so it will take two hours to drive there. However, the flight time is only about 35 minutes.

Also, go and check out the best places to travel.