How far is Paulden, AZ from Tucson, AZ?

The driving distance from Paulden, AZ to Tucson, AZ is about 235.2 miles (378.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 204.3 miles (328.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
235.2 mi
03h 46m
Flight
204.34 mi
328.85 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Paulden.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
204.34 mi
Kilometers
328.85 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
235.2 mi
Kilometers
378.51 km
Drive Time
03h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tucson
Wed, Apr 22, 9:58 PM MST
Return by in Paulden
Thu, Apr 23, 1:45 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Paulden
2026-04-22T18:11
Arrive Tucson
Wed, Apr 22, 9:58 PM MST
Route Timing
03h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 AM MST

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:26 AM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Paulden
9:00 PM MST
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Phoenix
AZ

The fifth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

From Paulden
116.8 mi
01h 53m
To Tucson
118.4 mi
01h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MST
Wind
7 to 23 mph SW
Destination
88°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MST
Wind
3 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Paulden and Tucson.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Paulden and Tucson.

  1. 1

    Start on Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    6.8 mi · 8 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    46 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    5 mi · 6 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    52 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    1.3 km · 54 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    24 m · 1 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    42 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    1.4 km · 1 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    45 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    3075 ft · 49 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  12. 12

    Turn left onto AZ 89A|none

    1502 ft · 43 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on AZ 89A

    826 ft · 20 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    6.3 mi · 7 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Fain Road

    7.2 mi · 9 min · Fain Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway

    21.3 mi · 26 min · Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway

    16.7 mi · 17 min · Arizona Veterans Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway

    5.8 mi · 6 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Black Canyon Freeway

    10.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway

  20. 20

    Continue on North Black Canyon Highway

    3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on Black Canyon Freeway

    27.9 mi · 32 min · Black Canyon Freeway

  22. 22

    Continue on Maricopa Freeway

    16.3 mi · 19 min · Maricopa Freeway

  23. 23

    Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

    37.8 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

    54.6 mi · 56 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

  25. 25

    Continue on North Freeway

    3.6 mi · 4 min · North Freeway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard

    2278 ft · 44 sec

  27. 27

    Turn straight onto North Freeway Road

    49 m · 5 sec · North Freeway Road

  28. 28

    Turn left onto West Congress Street

    1776 ft · 56 sec · West Congress Street

  29. 29

    Continue on West Broadway Boulevard

    2.9 mi · 7 min · West Broadway Boulevard

  30. 30

    Turn left onto North Country Club Road

    40 m · 9 sec · North Country Club Road

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Country Club Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Paulden and Tucson.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
1 merges, 11 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi · 23%
Black Canyon Freeway
38.4 mi · 16%
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi · 16%
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
21.3 mi · 9%
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
17.9 mi · 8%
Arizona Veterans Highway
16.7 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.9 mi
204.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Phoenix
01h 53m from Paulden
Leave By
9:26 AM MST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Paulden and Sunny near Tucson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 235.2 miles (378.5 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?

Phoenix is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.8 miles from Paulden and 118.4 miles from Tucson.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 204.3 miles (328.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.9 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 9:26 AM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.09 one way or $82.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Paulden and Sunny near Tucson.

Stop Ideas Near Phoenix

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Phoenix and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 11.2 mi away

Mastro's City Hall

Scottsdale , AZ
6991 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, United States
Rating 4.6/5 1,194 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Restaurant,Steak house
The Phoenix Police Museum
Scenic stop 2.1 mi away

The Phoenix Police Museum

Phoenix , AZ
Historic City Hall, 17 S 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003, United States
Rating 4.7/5 201 reviews Tourist attraction,Children's museum,Historical landmark,Local history museum,History museum
Tempe Economic Development
Meeting point 9.8 mi away

Tempe Economic Development

Tempe , AZ
31 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 9.2 mi away

Tolleson City Hall

Tolleson , AZ
9555 W Van Buren St, Tolleson, AZ 85353, United States
Rating 4.9/5 32 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Phoenix.

BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

4 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

6 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

12 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
RAIL

Maricopa

43 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Paulden and Tucson. Straight-line distance: 204.34 mi (328.85 km).

Paulden

#1 Paulden

Census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona

Population5,231
Coordinates34.8855800, -112.4682300
Altitude1344
CountryUnited States
Tucson

#2 Tucson

The second most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Tucson metropolitan area.

Population553,571
Coordinates32.2217400, -110.9264800
Altitude759
CountryUnited States
Start: AZ 89 (-112.468005, 34.88556)
End: North Country Club Road (-110.926548, 32.221738)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 379 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.3 gal
31.42 L · about $41.09
Round trip
$82.19
16.6 gal · 62.84 L
Estimated CO2
73.8 kg one way
Round trip: 147.5 kg / 325 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $41.09 $82.19
Mid-grade $5.34 $44.31 $88.61
Premium $5.57 $46.20 $92.40
Diesel $6.37 $52.84 $105.68

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

There is no time difference between Paulden and Tucson. The current time is 18:11:22.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.