How far is Surprise, AZ from South Tucson, AZ?
The driving distance from Surprise, AZ to South Tucson, AZ is about 141.6 miles (227.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 126.6 miles (203.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m 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 36m.
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 Surprise and South Tucson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise and South Tucson.
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1
Start on North Nash Street
1464 ft · 54 sec · North Nash Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Santa Fe Drive
1322 ft · 37 sec · West Santa Fe Drive
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3
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
66 m · 7 sec · West Greenway Road
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4
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
4.6 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue
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5
Take the exit right toward AZ 101 Loop South
1947 ft · 47 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Agua Fria Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Phoenix
1.3 km · 1 min
-
8
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
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9
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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10
Continue on Papago Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Papago Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
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12
Merge slight right onto Maricopa Freeway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Maricopa Freeway
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13
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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14
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi · 56 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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15
Continue on North Freeway
4.6 mi · 5 min · North Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward 22nd Street - 29th Street, Starr Pass Boulevard, Silverlake Road
1986 ft · 39 sec
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17
Continue on South Freeway Road
115 m · 8 sec · South Freeway Road
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18
Turn left onto West 22nd Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West 22nd Street
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19
Turn right onto South 6th Avenue
2677 ft · 58 sec · South 6th Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 6th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surprise and South 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 Surprise and Sunny near South Tucson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surprise to South Tucson?
The road trip is about 141.6 miles (227.9 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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 70.8 miles from Surprise and 70.8 miles from South Tucson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 126.6 miles (203.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 1:18 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.76 one way or $49.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Surprise and Sunny near South 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 Surprise and South Tucson. Straight-line distance: 126.66 mi (203.84 km).
#1 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Tucson
City in Pima County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 5,742 |
| Coordinates | 32.1995200, -110.9684200 |
| Altitude | 739 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Tucson (-110.96842, 32.19952)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 228 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $24.76 | $49.51 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $26.69 | $53.38 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $27.83 | $55.66 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $31.83 | $63.66 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.