How far is Alhambra, AZ from Rio Rico, AZ?
The driving distance from Alhambra, AZ to Rio Rico, AZ is about 175.7 miles (282.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.5 miles (250.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 13m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alhambra and Rio Rico.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alhambra and Rio Rico.
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1
Start on North 35th Avenue
1243 ft · 31 sec · North 35th Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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3
Take the exit straight toward 27th Avenue
2854 ft · 1 min
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4
Turn left onto West Thomas Road
1052 ft · 27 sec · West Thomas Road
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5
Turn right onto North Black Canyon Highway
1324 ft · 28 sec · North Black Canyon Highway
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6
Take the exit straight toward I 17 South
934 ft · 25 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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8
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
16.3 mi · 19 min · Maricopa Freeway
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9
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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10
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi · 56 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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11
Continue on North Freeway
5.4 mi · 6 min · North Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 19 South: Nogales
2436 ft · 38 sec
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13
Continue on Nogales–Tucson Highway
52.2 mi · 56 min · Nogales–Tucson Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Rio Rico Drive, Yavapai Drive
1411 ft · 43 sec
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15
Turn left onto Rio Rico Drive
1.3 mi · 3 min · Rio Rico Drive
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16
Turn right onto Pendleton Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Pendleton Drive
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17
Turn left onto Avenida Coatimundi
1544 ft · 49 sec · Avenida Coatimundi
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18
Turn left onto Avenida Leon
1650 ft · 1 min · Avenida Leon
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19
Turn left onto Yeso Court
89 m · 20 sec · Yeso Court
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20
Turn left
62 m · 15 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alhambra and Rio Rico.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi · 00h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Clear leaving Alhambra and Sunny near Rio Rico.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alhambra to Rio Rico?
The road trip is about 175.7 miles (282.7 km) and usually takes 03h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Avra Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.9 miles from Alhambra and 87.7 miles from Rio Rico.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.5 miles (250.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:32 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.98 one way or $57.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Alhambra and Sunny near Rio Rico.
Stop Ideas Near Avra Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Avra Valley.
Tucson
Maricopa
Benson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alhambra and Rio Rico. Straight-line distance: 155.45 mi (250.18 km).
#1 Alhambra
Situated within Maricopa County at an elevation of 1122 feet, this area functions as an urban village integrated into the central part of Phoenix.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.4983800, -112.1343200 |
| Altitude | 342 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rio Rico
Situated within the Santa Cruz River Valley at an elevation of 3481 feet, this census-designated place in Santa Cruz County functions largely as a residential community north of Nogales.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 31.4714800, -110.9764800 |
| Altitude | 1061 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rio Rico (-110.97648, 31.47148)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 283 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $28.98 | $57.96 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $31.21 | $62.42 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $33.25 | $66.50 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $38.89 | $77.77 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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