How far is Rio Rico, AZ from Tucson, AZ?

The driving distance from Rio Rico, AZ to Tucson, AZ is about 59.9 miles (96.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.9 miles (83.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
59.91 mi
01h 08m
Flight
51.92 mi
83.56 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rio Rico.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.92 mi
Kilometers
83.56 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
59.91 mi
Kilometers
96.42 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 01h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tucson
Fri, May 29, 11:56 AM MST
Return by in Rio Rico
Fri, May 29, 1:05 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rio Rico
2026-05-29T10:48
Arrive Tucson
Fri, May 29, 11:56 AM MST
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM MST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:14 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rio Rico
9:30 PM MST
Morning start is best

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
Green Valley
AZ

Census-designated place in Pima County, Arizona, United States

From Rio Rico
30 mi
00h 34m
To Tucson
30 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 29 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 16 mph SSW
Destination
91°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 29 6:00 AM MST
Wind
1 to 13 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rico and Tucson.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    62 m · 20 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Yeso Court

    89 m · 15 sec · Yeso Court

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Avenida Leon

    1650 ft · 1 min · Avenida Leon

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Avenida Coatimundi

    1544 ft · 44 sec · Avenida Coatimundi

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Pendleton Drive

    1.2 km · 2 min · Pendleton Drive

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Rio Rico Drive

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Rio Rico Drive

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right

    1655 ft · 40 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Nogales–Tucson Highway

    52 mi · 58 min · Nogales–Tucson Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on 29th Street/22nd Street, Silverlake Road, Starr Pass Boulevard

    1631 ft · 31 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on South Freeway Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · South Freeway Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto West 22nd Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · West 22nd Street

  12. 12

    Turn slight left

    1339 ft · 50 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto South Kino Parkway

    3153 ft · 1 min · South Kino Parkway

  14. 14

    Continue on South Campbell Avenue

    1403 ft · 34 sec · South Campbell Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto East Broadway Boulevard

    1 mi · 2 min · East Broadway Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North Country Club Road

    40 m · 9 sec · North Country Club Road

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Country Club Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Rico 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
17 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Nogales–Tucson Highway
52 mi · 87%
West 22nd Street
1.72 mi · 3%
Rio Rico Drive
1.46 mi · 2%
East Broadway Boulevard
1.01 mi · 2%
Pendleton Drive
0.74 mi · 1%
South Freeway Road
0.66 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8 mi
51.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Green Valley
00h 34m from Rio Rico
Leave By
4:14 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Rio Rico and Sunny near Tucson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Rio Rico to Tucson?

The road trip is about 59.9 miles (96.4 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Green Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30 miles from Rio Rico and 30 miles from Tucson.

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

The direct path is about 51.9 miles (83.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8 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 4:14 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.45 one way or $20.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rio Rico and Sunny near Tucson.

Stop Ideas Near Green Valley

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Green Valley, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Green Valley.

RAIL

Tucson

41 mi away
400 North Toole Avenue
RAIL

Benson

67 mi away
105 E. 4th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rio Rico and Tucson. Straight-line distance: 51.92 mi (83.56 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Rio Rico

Rio Rico is a place in Arizona, United States.

Population0
Coordinates31.4714800, -110.9764800
Altitude1061
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: (-110.976201, 31.471389)
End: North Country Club Road (-110.926548, 32.221738)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 96 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.11 gal
8 L · about $10.45
Round trip
$20.89
4.22 gal · 16 L
Estimated CO2
18.8 kg one way
Round trip: 37.5 kg / 83 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $10.45 $20.89
Mid-grade $5.34 $11.26 $22.53
Premium $5.57 $11.74 $23.49
Diesel $6.37 $13.43 $26.86

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 · May 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Rio Rico and Tucson. The current time is 10:48:26.

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.