How far is San Tan Valley, AZ from Rio Rico, AZ?
The driving distance from San Tan Valley, AZ to Rio Rico, AZ is about 144.7 miles (232.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.1 miles (198.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m 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 06m.
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.
Town in Pima and Pinal counties in Arizona, United States
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 San Tan Valley and Rio Rico.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Tan Valley and Rio Rico.
-
1
Start on East Skyline Drive
1.6 km · 2 min · East Skyline Drive
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2
Turn right onto North Sierra Vista Drive
2 mi · 6 min · North Sierra Vista Drive
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3
Turn right onto East Bella Vista Road
2 mi · 5 min · East Bella Vista Road
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4
Turn left onto North Gantzel Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Gantzel Road
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5
Turn left onto East Hunt Highway
8.7 mi · 13 min · East Hunt Highway
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6
Turn right onto North Attaway Road
3 mi · 5 min · North Attaway Road
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7
Turn right onto Florence-Coolidge Highway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Florence-Coolidge Highway
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8
Turn left onto North Arizona Boulevard
8.6 mi · 15 min · North Arizona Boulevard
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9
Continue on Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
10.7 mi · 16 min · Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
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10
Turn left
1.2 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
42.7 mi · 44 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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12
Continue on North Freeway
5.4 mi · 6 min · North Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 19 South: Nogales
2436 ft · 38 sec
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14
Continue on Nogales–Tucson Highway
52.2 mi · 56 min · Nogales–Tucson Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Rio Rico Drive, Yavapai Drive
1411 ft · 43 sec
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16
Turn left onto Rio Rico Drive
1.3 mi · 3 min · Rio Rico Drive
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17
Turn right onto Pendleton Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Pendleton Drive
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18
Turn left onto Avenida Coatimundi
1544 ft · 49 sec · Avenida Coatimundi
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19
Turn left onto Avenida Leon
1650 ft · 1 min · Avenida Leon
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20
Turn left onto Yeso Court
89 m · 20 sec · Yeso Court
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21
Turn left
62 m · 15 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Tan Valley 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.
Nogales–Tucson Highway
Continue on Nogales–Tucson Highway
52.2 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.
Sunny leaving San Tan Valley 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 San Tan Valley to Rio Rico?
The road trip is about 144.7 miles (232.9 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Marana is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.5 miles from San Tan Valley and 72.3 miles from Rio Rico.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.1 miles (198.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.6 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 10:48 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.88 one way or $47.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Tan Valley and Sunny near Rio Rico.
Stop Ideas Near Marana
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 Marana.
Tucson
Benson
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Tan Valley and Rio Rico. Straight-line distance: 123.1 mi (198.11 km).
#1 San Tan Valley
This Arizonan community is situated in the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by the San Tan Mountains Regional Park.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.1911000, -111.5280000 |
| Altitude | 462 |
| 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: 233 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 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 | $4.67 | $23.88 | $47.77 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $25.72 | $51.45 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $27.40 | $54.81 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $32.05 | $64.10 |
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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