How far is Carefree, AZ from Tucson, AZ?
The driving distance from Carefree, AZ to Tucson, AZ is about 145.3 miles (233.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124.6 miles (200.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 25m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The most populous city in Pinal County, Arizona.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carefree and Tucson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carefree and Tucson.
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1
Start on North Tranquil Trail
3 m · 1 sec · North Tranquil Trail
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2
Continue on North Bloody Basin Road
2056 ft · 1 min · North Bloody Basin Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Tom Darlington Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Tom Darlington Drive
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4
Continue on North Scottsdale Road
9.8 mi · 16 min · North Scottsdale Road
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5
Turn left onto AZ 101 Loop East
2195 ft · 58 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
16.8 mi · 19 min · Pima Freeway
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7
Continue on Price Freeway
9.4 mi · 11 min · Price Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on AZ 202 Loop West
1.5 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Santan Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Santan Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 West: Tucson, Phoenix
2460 ft · 42 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Tucson
1.1 mi · 2 min
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12
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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13
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi · 56 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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14
Continue on North Freeway
3.6 mi · 4 min · North Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard
2278 ft · 44 sec
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16
Turn straight onto North Freeway Road
49 m · 5 sec · North Freeway Road
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17
Turn left onto West Congress Street
1776 ft · 56 sec · West Congress Street
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18
Continue on West Broadway Boulevard
2.9 mi · 7 min · West Broadway Boulevard
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19
Turn left onto North Country Club Road
40 m · 9 sec · North Country Club Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Country Club Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carefree and Tucson.
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 comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Carefree and Sunny near Tucson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carefree to Tucson?
The road trip is about 145.3 miles (233.8 km) and usually takes 02h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Casa Grande is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.8 miles from Carefree and 73.4 miles from Tucson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124.6 miles (200.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:38 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.35 one way or $50.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carefree and Sunny near Tucson.
Stop Ideas Near Casa Grande
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Casa Grande
Coolidge City Hall
City of Coolidge Council Chambers
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Casa Grande.
Maricopa
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carefree and Tucson. Straight-line distance: 124.62 mi (200.55 km).
#1 Carefree
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 3,974 |
| Coordinates | 33.8222600, -111.9182000 |
| Altitude | 726 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tucson
The second most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Tucson metropolitan area.
| Population | 553,571 |
| Coordinates | 32.2217400, -110.9264800 |
| Altitude | 759 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Country Club Road (-110.926548, 32.221738)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 234 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $25.35 | $50.70 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $27.33 | $54.66 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $28.50 | $57.00 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $32.59 | $65.19 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Arizona · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.