DriveCosts

Road trip cost

How Much Does It Cost to Drive From Tucson to Las Vegas?

At 429 miles and roughly 6 hr 54 min of driving, the route from Tucson, AZ to Las Vegas, NV is a long-haul trip. Budget for multiple fuel stops, food, and possibly an overnight stay — gas alone can run well over a hundred dollars depending on your vehicle.

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

429 mi

Driving time

6 hr 54 min

Fuel stops

1

EV charges

1

Route overview429 mi

1 suggested fuel stop

Key takeaway

Plan on about $53 in gas one-way in a 28 MPG sedan, with 1 fuel stop and roughly 6 hr 54 min behind the wheel.

Drive intensity

Medium

Doable in a single day.

Estimate your trip cost

Pre-filled with the Tucson → Las Vegas distance.

miles
mpg
$/gal

Estimated Trip Cost

$0.00

Per Person

$0.00

Gallons

0.00gal

Total miles: 429 (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 · 12.3 gal$42.29
Sedan· 28 MPG · 15.3 gal$52.86
SUV· 22 MPG · 19.5 gal$67.28
Pickup truck· 18 MPG · 23.8 gal$82.22

Cost at different gas prices

Assuming a 28 MPG sedan over the 429-mile route.

Gas at $3.15/gal

$48.26

one way · ~15.3 gal

Gas at $3.45/gal

$52.86

one way · ~15.3 gal

Gas at $3.85/gal

$58.99

one way · ~15.3 gal

Fuel & charging stops

1 fuel stop one-way

A typical 28 MPG sedan with a 12.5-gallon tank covers about 350 miles per fill-up. Plan 1 stop along the way and fuel up before any remote stretches.

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 Tucson and Las Vegas. A natural place to fuel up, grab a meal, swap drivers, or stop overnight on longer drives.

Route personality

Long-distance interstate driveEV-friendly corridor

Desert Southwest driving context

  • Summer highs over 105°F — drive early morning or evening and carry extra water.
  • Gas stations can be 60+ miles apart on stretches of I-10, I-40 and US-93 — top off when you can.

City insights

Tucson, AZ

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

Las Vegas, NV

  • Las Vegas draws year-round visitors — book parking and lodging ahead in peak weeks.
  • Limited shade and long distances between services around Las Vegas — fuel up before leaving.

Best stops along the way

  • Phoenix, AZ sits near the midpoint — natural fuel, food and restroom stop.
  • Pick a sit-down meal stop around the 2.5-hour mark to reset focus and avoid drive-thru fatigue.
  • Scenic pull-offs and coastal overlooks add 15–30 min but break up the monotony on tourism corridors.
  • Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America hubs cluster around major interchanges — easy 20-min top-ups.

Seasonal notes

Summer

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

Late summer / early fall

Western wildfire smoke can drop visibility and force I-5 / I-80 detours — check InciWeb.

Recommendations for this route

  • EV-suitable: a 250+ mile EV makes this drive on 1–2 fast charges.
  • 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?

For one or two people, driving usually wins on cost. Solo travelers with no luggage may find a budget flight cheaper once you add parking and meals.

A one-way drive uses about $53 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

October through April is most comfortable. Summer driving means extreme heat and higher AC fuel use.

  • • Summer highs over 100°F across the desert — drive early morning or after sunset and carry extra water.

Tolls

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

Best vehicle

A mid-size sedan or hybrid is the sweet spot — comfortable for the distance with strong MPG.

Driving difficulty

Medium · 6 hr 54 min

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 Tucson to Las Vegas

This 429-mile route between Tucson, AZ and Las Vegas, NV is a popular drive in the region. Expect roughly 6 hr 54 min 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.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to drive from Tucson to Las Vegas?

The drive is about 429 miles and takes roughly 6 hr 54 min 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 15.3 gallons one way. A 22 MPG SUV would use roughly 19.5 gallons.

What's the typical fuel cost?

At the US average of $3.45/gal, a 28 MPG vehicle costs about $52.86 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 1 fuel stop 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 Tucson to Las Vegas?

For one or two people, driving usually wins on cost. Solo travelers with no luggage may find a budget flight cheaper once you add parking and meals.

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

October through April is most comfortable. Summer driving means extreme heat and higher AC fuel use.

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 429-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

~$26

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best EV

Lucid Air

134 MPGe · ev

~$17

est. one-way charging cost

See full breakdown

Best sedan

Hyundai Elantra

37 MPG · sedan

~$40

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best SUV for comfort

Nissan Rogue

33 MPG · suv

~$45

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best truck for cargo

Ford Maverick

26 MPG · truck

~$57

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Related routes

More routes like Tucson to Las Vegas

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

Reverse drive

Las Vegas to Tucson driving cost

429 mi · 6.9 h

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