How far is Tucson, AZ from Payson, AZ?
The driving distance from Tucson, AZ to Payson, AZ is about 190.5 miles (306.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.7 miles (226.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 10m 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 35m.
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.
Census designated place
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 Tucson and Payson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tucson and Payson.
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1
Start on North Country Club Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North Country Club Road
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2
Turn left onto East Speedway Boulevard
3.3 mi · 8 min · East Speedway Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto North Freeway Road
127 m · 7 sec · North Freeway Road
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 West
1942 ft · 47 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · North Freeway
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6
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
50.7 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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8
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi · 39 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 202 Loop
847 ft · 14 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on AZ 202 Loop East
1.2 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Santan Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Santan Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North
1.2 mi · 1 min · Price Freeway
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13
Merge slight left onto Price Freeway
8.7 mi · 10 min · Price Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 202 Loop West, AZ 202 Loop East
1556 ft · 38 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on AZ 202 Loop East
1.1 km · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
1828 ft · 47 sec
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18
Turn left onto North Country Club Drive
2799 ft · 1 min · North Country Club Drive
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19
Continue on North Beeline Highway
4.5 mi · 5 min · North Beeline Highway
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20
Continue on Beeline Highway
67.7 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Beeline Highway
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Beeline Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tucson and Payson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Beeline Highway
Continue on Beeline Highway
67.7 mi · 01h 19m
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 Tucson and Sunny near Payson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tucson to Payson?
The road trip is about 190.5 miles (306.5 km) and usually takes 03h 35m 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?
Sun Lakes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.3 miles from Tucson and 95.1 miles from Payson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.7 miles (226.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:50 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.27 one way or $66.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tucson and Sunny near Payson.
Stop Ideas Near Sun Lakes
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Chandler
City of Maricopa: City Hall
Chandler Passport Acceptance Office
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sun Lakes.
Maricopa
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tucson and Payson. Straight-line distance: 140.72 mi (226.46 km).
#1 Tucson
The second most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Tucson metropolitan area.
| Population | 553,571 |
| Coordinates | 32.2217400, -110.9264800 |
| Altitude | 759 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Payson
Town in Gila County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 15,947 |
| Coordinates | 34.2308700, -111.3251400 |
| Altitude | 1500 |
| Country | United States |
End: Payson (-111.32514, 34.23087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 306 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $33.27 | $66.54 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $35.87 | $71.74 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $37.40 | $74.81 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $42.78 | $85.56 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.