DriveCosts

Road trip cost

How Much Does It Cost to Drive From Flagstaff to Tucson?

The drive from Flagstaff, AZ to Tucson, AZ covers about 248 miles and takes around 4 hr — a comfortable day trip. Plan one fuel stop and a meal break and you'll arrive without overspending on gas.

Medium
  • Updated for 2026
  • US avg fuel prices
  • EPA-style MPG
  • EV rates vary by state
  • US units
Distance

248 mi

Driving time

4 hr

Fuel stops

0

EV charges

1

Route overview248 mi

Key takeaway

Plan on about $31 in gas one-way in a 28 MPG sedan, with 0 fuel stops and roughly 4 hr behind the wheel.

Drive intensity

Medium

Doable in a single day.

Estimate your trip cost

Pre-filled with the Flagstaff → Tucson distance.

miles
mpg
$/gal

Estimated Trip Cost

$0.00

Per Person

$0.00

Gallons

0.00gal

Total miles: 248 (one way).

How we estimate this trip

Distance
Great-circle distance between city centers × 1.18 road factor, rounded to whole miles.
Fuel cost formula
(miles ÷ MPG) × price per gallon, computed one-way unless noted.
Gas price assumption
Recent US average retail regular gas (AAA-style baseline).
EV charging assumption
Combined MPGe with average US residential electricity rate.
Tolls & weather
Not included — add manually for I-95, I-90 and mountain routes.
Driving time
Estimated at typical highway average speeds; excludes long breaks.

Sources & assumptions

  • EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
  • U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
  • AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
  • EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.

We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.

Fuel cost by vehicle type

Estimated one-way fuel cost at $3.45/gal (US average). Adjust for your local price.

Compact car· 35 MPG · 7.1 gal$24.45
Sedan· 28 MPG · 8.9 gal$30.56
SUV· 22 MPG · 11.3 gal$38.89
Pickup truck· 18 MPG · 13.8 gal$47.53

Cost at different gas prices

Assuming a 28 MPG sedan over the 248-mile route.

Gas at $3.15/gal

$27.90

one way · ~8.9 gal

Gas at $3.45/gal

$30.56

one way · ~8.9 gal

Gas at $3.85/gal

$34.10

one way · ~8.9 gal

Fuel & charging stops

No fill-up needed

At ~248 miles, a full tank in a typical sedan (~350-mile range) covers this drive end-to-end. Top up before you leave and you're set.

1 DC fast-charge for most EVs

Assuming a realistic 230-mile highway range, plan 1 DC fast-charging stop. Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America have strong coverage on most US corridors.

Halfway stop suggestion

Midpoint

Phoenix, AZ

Roughly halfway between Flagstaff and Tucson. A natural place to fuel up, grab a meal, swap drivers, or stop overnight on longer drives.

Route personality

Standard interstate driveEV-friendly corridorScenic mountain drive

Mountain West driving context

  • Mountain passes can require chains or AWD from November through April — check CDOT/UDOT before departure.
  • Elevation gain reduces gas MPG and EV range by 10–20% on climbs; you recover some on descents.
  • Cell coverage drops in canyons — download offline maps before you go.

City insights

Flagstaff, AZ

  • Flagstaff's elevation can shorten EV range and lower gas MPG on the way in.

Tucson, AZ

  • Limited shade and long distances between services around Tucson — fuel up before leaving.

Best stops along the way

  • Phoenix, AZ sits near the midpoint — natural fuel, food and restroom stop.
  • Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America hubs cluster around major interchanges — easy 20-min top-ups.
  • Mountain pass viewpoints make great photo stops — but check brakes before long descents.

Seasonal notes

Winter

Snow, ice and chain-control zones from late November through March — carry an emergency kit.

Summer

Desert highs over 110°F stress engines, tires and EV batteries — drive early or late, never midday.

Recommendations for this route

  • EV-suitable: a 250+ mile EV makes this drive on 1–2 fast charges.
  • AWD or all-terrain tires help in winter; check brake pads before long descents.
  • Run tires at the door-jamb PSI and pre-cool the cabin with AC on low — both add 1–3 MPG.

Is it cheaper to fly or drive?

Driving is almost always cheaper here — short flights cost more than fuel once you factor in airport parking, bags and a rental car.

A one-way drive uses about $31 in gas (28 MPG, $3.45/gal). A typical short domestic flight costs $80–$220 per person plus $30–$60/day for airport parking and any baggage fees.

Weather & best time

Any time of year works — avoid local rush hours and you're set.

  • • Summer highs over 100°F across the desert — drive early morning or after sunset and carry extra water.
  • • Mountain passes can see snow or ice from November through April — check road conditions before you leave.

Tolls

Mostly toll-free — you can drive this without a transponder.

Best vehicle

An SUV or all-wheel-drive crossover is ideal — better handling on mountain passes and storage for gear.

Driving difficulty

Medium · 4 hr

Moderate — plan at least two 15-minute breaks and swap drivers if possible.

Doable in a single day

Most drivers complete this route in a single day. Leave early to avoid arriving tired in evening traffic.

About the drive from Flagstaff to Tucson

This 248-mile route between Flagstaff, AZ and Tucson, AZ is a popular drive in the region. Expect roughly 4 hr behind the wheel under normal traffic conditions.

Fuel-saving tips

  • Keep your speed near 65 mph — fuel economy drops sharply above 70.
  • Fill up before mountain or desert stretches; remote stations charge a premium.
  • Use GasBuddy or AAA to spot cheap stations along your route before you leave.
  • Use cruise control on flat sections only — long climbs benefit from light, steady throttle.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to drive from Flagstaff to Tucson?

The drive is about 248 miles and takes roughly 4 hr under normal traffic. Add buffer for stops, construction, and rush hour around either city.

How much gas does the trip use?

In a 28 MPG sedan, expect about 8.9 gallons one way. A 22 MPG SUV would use roughly 11.3 gallons.

What's the typical fuel cost?

At the US average of $3.45/gal, a 28 MPG vehicle costs about $30.56 one way. Round trip roughly doubles that. Use the calculator above for your exact MPG and local gas price.

How many fuel or charging stops will I need?

A typical gas sedan needs about 0 fuel stops one way. A modern EV with ~230 miles of highway range needs about 1 DC fast-charge.

Is it cheaper to drive or fly from Flagstaff to Tucson?

Driving is almost always cheaper here — short flights cost more than fuel once you factor in airport parking, bags and a rental car.

What's the best time of year to drive this route?

Any time of year works — avoid local rush hours and you're set.

Where's a good halfway stop?

Phoenix, AZ is roughly halfway and makes a natural fuel, food, or overnight break.

Best vehicles for this route

Estimated 248-mile fuel cost for each pick at average US prices. Tap any vehicle for a full cost breakdown.

Cheapest to drive

Toyota Prius

57 MPG · hybrid

~$15

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best EV

Lucid Air

134 MPGe · ev

~$10

est. one-way charging cost

See full breakdown

Best sedan

Hyundai Elantra

37 MPG · sedan

~$23

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best SUV for comfort

Nissan Rogue

33 MPG · suv

~$26

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best truck for cargo

Ford Maverick

26 MPG · truck

~$33

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Related routes

More routes like Flagstaff to Tucson

Reverse drives, connecting routes and regional alternatives — each with distance and driving cost at current US gas prices.

Reverse drive

Tucson to Flagstaff driving cost

248 mi · 4.0 h

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