Driving from Phoenix to Tucson isn’t a long road trip—it's only about two hours—but you can turn your Phoenix to Tucson road trip into a genuinely fun mini-adventure if you plan a few smart stops. This route is all desert views, quirky roadside spots, and easy pull-offs where you can stretch your legs without turning your “quick drive” into an all-day saga.
If you're already planning your Tucson weekend and want a deeper breakdown of what to do once you arrive, check out my Tucson for First-Timers: What to See, Eat & Do for more ideas.
Let’s hit the road.
We kicked things off at Eggstasy in Gilbert (there are other locations if you are looking for one closer to Phoneix), and if you’ve never been, let me introduce you to your new favorite brunch spot.
Start with the Eggasm (yes, that’s the real name), which comes with coddled egg, potato purée, crispy prosciutto, chives, parmesan, and toasted ciabatta. The crispy prosciutto is everything.
I love their pancakes—especially the Raspberry White Chocolate with brûlée sugar. Absolute perfection. I also tried their crème brûlée oatmeal, which was Oats Créme Brûlée with fresh berries and blueberry bread, but it ended up tasting like regular oatmeal to me. As you can tell, I’m a big brûlée fan, so I had high hopes.
Eat, caffeinate, and then roll yourself to the car. It’s worth it.
About 20–25 minutes from Phoenix, this is your first chance to stretch your legs somewhere that isn’t a gas station.
You can check out:
• The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass (beautiful grounds if you want a quick walk)
• Koli Equestrian Center if you want photos with horses
• The Gila River Casinos area if you’re the kind of person who enjoys a quick slot-machine moment before noon
If you don’t want to leave the freeway, skip it. But it’s a good early stop if you need a bathroom break or a snack.
Located in Coolidge (about 12 minutes off I-10), this is one of the most underrated historical stops between Phoenix and Tucson.
Why stop here:
• It’s unique, easy, and rarely crowded
• You’ll learn something genuinely interesting about the Hohokam people
• The Great House is impressive in person
• It breaks up the drive nicely
Plan for 30–45 minutes.
This is the stop along the Phoenix to Tucson drive. Even if you’re not hiking, the views alone are worth pulling off the road.
What you can do:
• Walk one of the short, easy trails
• Take photos with the mountain backdrop
• Use the clean restrooms
• Stretch without looking ridiculous in a parking lot
If you’re up for a challenge, Picacho Peak has one of Arizona’s hardest hikes, but unless you packed gloves, water, and a waiver for your poor decisions, stick to the short trails.
It’s random. It’s quirky. You can feed ostriches, goats, deer, and lorikeets all in one spot.
If roadside attractions make you happy, stop. If not, keep going. Find out more here.
Right before Tucson, you’ll pass Marana and Oro Valley—two areas with great food options.
My top picks:
• Noble Hops for gastropub food and views
• Baggin’s Gourmet Sandwiches for something quick and delicious
• The Screamery for an ice cream break
• Saffron Indian Bistro for an excellent buffet
Once you hit Tucson, here are great first-stop options depending on your vibe:
• Saguaro National Park West for sunset
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for a desert-meets-zoo experience
• Barrio Viejo for colorful architecture
• 4th Avenue for shops, drinks, and people-watching
• Tucson Food Tour for an easy way to sample the city’s best bites
If you're planning to explore Tucson more deeply, take a look at my A Weekend in Tucson: Desert Views, Saguaro Magic & Seriously Good Eats for ideas you can plug in right away.
If you make all the stops on this itinerary, the drive adds about 40 minutes of extra actual driving time, not counting the time you spend exploring each spot.
These help keep everything smooth and stress-free.
• Leave Phoenix before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Watch your speed near Casa Grande
• Bring water
• Download your map—service drops in a few stretches
• Top off your gas in Phoenix or Casa Grande
• If renting a car, choose something with good AC (Arizona is not the place to gamble)
This drive may be short, but turning it into a mini-road-trip makes it feel like part of the vacation instead of just travel time. With easy stops, desert views, good food, and zero detours that feel like a chore, you’ll roll into Tucson ready to explore and actually enjoy the day.
If you're planning to keep the adventures going, don’t miss my Best Places to Stay in Tucson to help you pick where to base yourself.
Here’s the thing about Curaçao that nobody talks about enough there’s really no bad time to go. 🌤️ Outside the hurricane belt. Mid-80s nearly every day of the year. Colorful buildings no matter what month it is.
But there IS a difference between going in peak season vs. shoulder season, and it shows up in your wallet, your beach chair availability, and how long you’re waiting for a table at dinner.
Full breakdown of every season, what to expect, and when I’d personally go linked in bio.
I wasn’t expecting much. I just needed dinner. 🍽️ Kome ended up being one of the best meals of the entire trip.
Wood-fired everything. A menu that actually makes you read it twice. A vibe in Pietermaai that feels nothing like a tourist restaurant and everything like somewhere locals actually go. I didn’t rush. I didn’t check my phone. I just ate, start to finish, and enjoyed every single second of it.
If you’re in Curaçao and you only have one nice dinner make it this one.
#curaçao #travelling #travelvlog #musttryrestaurant #visitcuracao
Renting a golf cart in Bimini was genuinely one of the best decisions we made the entire cruise, and if you have a stop there, I cannot recommend it enough.
✨ Off the ship and behind the wheel within minutes
✨ Multiple beaches, food stops, and random pull-offs
✨ Zero tour schedules, zero waiting on strangers
✨ Just the island, at your own pace
Honest caveat: if you prefer a guided experience with everything planned out, a tour might suit you better. But if you like doing your own thing? This is it.
Everything you need to know about renting, where to go, what to budget, and our favorite stops, is linked in bio. 🔗
50 miles from Miami. Feels like a different planet. 🌴
One day in Bimini looks like: golf cart before 9am, Bimini bread still warm from the oven, water so clear it looks fake, and a conch stand where the guy knows everyone’s name.
No itinerary needed. But I made one anyway because that’s just who I am. Linked in bio
#bimini #biminibahamas #travel #travelblogger #visitbahamas
If you go to Bimini and don’t get conch salad… what are you even doing? 🐚
I’m not exaggerating when I say this ended up being one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. It’s a local staple, and after talking to enough people on the island, I realized fast, Bahamians have very strong opinions about where to get the best one.
So we made it a mission.
We tracked down the three spots that kept coming up over and over again, and I tried them all so you don’t have to guess.
Full breakdown is linked in bio. 🔗
#travel #travelblogger #bimini #bahamas #conchsalad
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