How far is Rio Rico, AZ from Alhambra, AZ?
The driving distance from Rio Rico, AZ to Alhambra, AZ is about 175.4 miles (282.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.5 miles (250.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m 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 50m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rio Rico and Alhambra.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rico and Alhambra.
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1
Start on the route
62 m · 20 sec
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2
Turn right onto Yeso Court
89 m · 15 sec · Yeso Court
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3
Turn right onto Avenida Leon
1650 ft · 1 min · Avenida Leon
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Avenida Coatimundi
1544 ft · 44 sec · Avenida Coatimundi
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Pendleton Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Pendleton Drive
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6
Turn left onto Rio Rico Drive
1.2 mi · 3 min · Rio Rico Drive
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7
Take the ramp right
1655 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Nogales–Tucson Highway
52 mi · 58 min · Nogales–Tucson Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Phoenix
3178 ft · 49 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto South Freeway
5.4 mi · 6 min · South Freeway
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11
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
50.7 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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13
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi · 39 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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14
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Maricopa Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway
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17
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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18
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · Papago Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue
1745 ft · 47 sec
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20
Turn right onto North 19th Avenue
1358 ft · 36 sec · North 19th Avenue
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21
Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue
2.8 mi · 5 min · Grand Avenue
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22
Turn right onto North 35th Avenue
1243 ft · 29 sec · North 35th Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 35th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Rico and Alhambra.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Nogales–Tucson Highway
Merge slight left onto Nogales–Tucson Highway
52 mi · 00h 58m
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 Rio Rico and Clear near Alhambra.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rio Rico to Alhambra?
The road trip is about 175.4 miles (282.2 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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?
Avra Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.7 miles from Rio Rico and 87.6 miles from Alhambra.
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 19.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:50 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.93 one way or $57.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rio Rico and Clear near Alhambra.
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 Rio Rico and Alhambra. Straight-line distance: 155.45 mi (250.18 km).
#1 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 |
#2 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 |
End: North 35th Avenue (-112.134242, 33.49838)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 282 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 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 | $28.93 | $57.86 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $31.16 | $62.32 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $33.20 | $66.39 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $38.82 | $77.65 |
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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