She created Wander In Arizona to share first-hand information about traveling to the many fantastic cities, trails, national parks, monuments and more as she continues to explore.
- From San Francisco to Phoenix: A Haunted Road Trip - October 17, 2024
- 25 BEST ARIZONA WINTER HIKES FOR ADVENTURE - October 10, 2024
- EPIC ARIZONA BUCKET LIST – 50 THINGS TO DO - July 18, 2024
Let’s face it: the distance from Tucson to Bisbee is the perfect excuse to hit the road.
The journey from Tucson to Bisbee? It’s the perfect blend of not-too-far but just far enough, making it the Goldilocks of road trips.
Not too long that you’ll start contemplating the meaning of life, but just enough to sing through your entire “road trip classics” playlist.
At approximately 95 miles, it’s a stretch that promises stunning landscapes, the possibility of a spontaneous detour, and, if you’re lucky, a close encounter with Arizona’s famed wildlife (roadrunners included, coyotes negotiable).
So, whether you’re a speed demon eager to reach Bisbee or a leisurely driver captivated by every roadside attraction, this guide is your ticket to a journey filled with discovery, laughter, and maybe a few too many gas station snacks.
Welcome to the Tucson to Bisbee Express – not your average commute, but a legendary trek through the soul of the Southwest.
If you’ve got a thirst for adventure and a heart that beats for the open road, you’re in the right place.
I’m your guide, a seasoned road warrior who’s navigated the wilds of Arizona more times than I’ve lost my sunglasses in the car (which is a lot).
We’re talking about a 95-mile stretch that’s peppered with enough scenic beauty to make your camera weep and dotted with stops that are as intriguing as they are Instagrammable.
So, whether you’re a speedster aiming to break your own travel time record or a meanderer with a penchant for pit stops, gear up for an adventure that promises more twists and turns than a telenovela.
WHAT IS THE DISTANCE BETWEEN TUCSON TO BISBEE?
Wondering how far is it from Tucson to Bisbee?
The distance from Tucson to Bisbee might just be the perfect length for a road trip – not too long that you’ll start questioning your life choices, but not so short that you’d miss out on all the fun.
Spanning approximately 95 miles, this journey offers a delightful mix of stunning landscapes, quirky roadside attractions, and, of course, the irresistible charm of Arizona’s wide-open spaces.
CAR RENTAL FOR TRAVELING FROM TUCSON TO BISBEE
I recommend renting a car as this is the best way to get from Tucson to Bisbee, which means you can also squeeze in a quick and short road trip.
Tucson to Bisbee by car means having your vehicle, which allows you to see everything this area offers also giving you the flexibility to stay as long as you like at each destination.
I like Discover Cars and believe me, as a frequent traveler regularly renting cars from them, I recommend them for easy and quick online booking.
Thanks to their long list of car rental companies, you can easily compare the car types and prices before picking. They also sometimes offer pick up as well.
HOW TO TRAVEL FROM TUCSON TO BISBEE?
ROUTE 1 – The Scenic Sprint
- Starting Point: Tucson, AZ
- Ending Point: Bisbee, AZ
- Distance: Approximately 95 miles
- Estimated Driving Time: Around 2 hours
For those who can’t wait to get to Bisbee and start exploring, Route 1 is your best bet.
You’ll be zipping through the desert with stunning landscapes that you might just forget you’re on a schedule.
ROUTE 2 – The Historical Wander
Distance: Approximately 120 miles
If you’re a history buff like me, Route 2 will be right up your alley. This path takes a slight detour to include some of Arizona’s most historically significant sites.
Think old mining towns that look like they’ve been frozen in time – perfect for those Instagram-worthy shots, past ancient petroglyphs, and maybe even stumble upon a roadside diner that hasn’t changed its menu since the ’50s.
This detour-rich path might take you a bit longer—about 2 to 2.5 hours—but every extra minute is well spent.
ROUTE 3 – The Nature Lover’s Path
Distance: Approximately 110 miles
Calling all nature enthusiasts! The Nature Lover’s Path is a detour designed with you in mind. This route, taking roughly 2 hours, offers a more intimate encounter with Arizona’s natural wonders.
From the sprawling Saguaro National Park to the lesser-known but equally mesmerizing Dragoon Mountains, you’re in for a visual feast.
From towering cacti to awe-inspiring mountain vistas, it’s a reminder of how incredibly diverse this state’s ecosystem is.
It’s a path less taken, offering peace, tranquility, and the chance to connect with nature on a profound level.
Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots, binoculars, and a sense of adventure.
BEST STOPS ON THE TUCSON TO BISBEE ROUTES
PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
The Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the best stops you can enjoy en route to Bisbee from Tucson.
Home to over 300 aircraft, you’ll love the museum if you love planes and history.
This museum, located in southern Tucson, is one of the world’s largest aviation museums.
Among the most noted exhibits include the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, a massive four-engine bomber used during World War II and the Korean War.
Check out the many unique displays at the museum, including space suits, equipment, vintage warbirds, elegant jets and also moon-landing memorabilia.
TITAN MISSILE MUSEUM
The Titan Missile Museum, also known as Air Force Facility Missile Site 8 or Titan II ICBM Site 571-7, is a former ICBM site located about 40 km south of Tucson, Arizona.
It is one of the best stops to enjoy, especially if you are with kids, to introduce them to tech and Cold War-era history.
Join one of the guided tours of the missile silo to see the 103-foot Titan II missile as you learn about history, technology and weapons.
Check out the 35 feet underground to the missile control room on the tour, unchanged since the 1960s, including the control panels, switches, and even the chairs.
EXPLORE THE STUNNING KARTCHNER CAVERNS
If you love exploring outdoors on your trip to Arizona in winter, just an hour east of Tucson lies Kartchner Caverns State Park.
The caverns, north of San Pedro River, are home to some of the world’s most fascinating and unique limestone formations, including stalactites and stalagmites spanning 2.4 miles of passages.
Take a guided tour through these caves to explore the distinct landscapes, including various wildlife, such as bats, owls, and ringtails.
Birdwatching is also a popular activity, and if you are up for it, I highly recommend checking out the caves at night and camping under the starry skies here!
CHECK OUT LAVENDER PIT
No, it’s not a new indie band; it’s an open-pit copper mine that’s as much a part of Bisbee’s landscape as the historic buildings downtown.
The Lavender Pit was part of the massive Copper Queen Mine, run by the Phelps Dodge Corporation from 1879 to 1975.
This massive open-pit copper mine just outside of Bisbee was constructed to compensate for revenues as the ore was reduced in the Copper Queen Mine.
The Lavender Pit was exploited in 50-foot-long shelves or benches blasted to a 60-foot depth.
The pit covers an area of 300 acres and is 900 feet deep, large enough to consume most of the adjacent town of Lowell.
Unfortunately, the pit closed in 1975 as copper prices dropped, and there was no demand.
Today, it is one of the popular things to do in Bisbee Az.
The pit is a testament to human engineering and environmental impact, offering a visual contrast to the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
A large pull-off and parking area leads to the Lavender Pit Mining Overlook.
You can observe the giant 300-acre hole in the ground from a series of platforms built along the pit’s rim.
They have fences up, for your safety. Head to the cutout areas of the fence and take some photos or videos.
BENSON
Another 1880s boom town in southern Arizona, Benson is regarded as a living museum that showcases the history of the American Southwest. It is one of my favourite stops on Tucson to Bisbee drive.
Known for its railroad history, and a rustic filming location for many old-west and ghost-themed locations, Benson is worth a quick stop for including one of the offbeat old-west towns in Arizona.
Most people pass through Benson while accessing Kartchner Caverns, the magnificent huge underground caves, a popular tourist attraction.
Still, I recommend also checking out Benson for a day as it has many things to offer.
Stop at the Benson Visitor Center for a quick introduction to the town, check out the famous Holy Trinity Monastery,.
Walk downtown to admire the historic buildings and taste delicious beer and food at one of the many restaurants and bars there.
TOMBSTONE
One of the popular stops on your road trip from Tucson to Bisbee is Tombstone.
Tombstone is a pretty town close to Bisbee in Cochise County and shares a common past of the Wild West and origins, with Tombstone also being discovered in the 1880s.
I recommend spending one or two days exploring this town, but if you are short
Tombstone, famously nicknamed the “town too tough to die,” was one of the leading silver mines during the era.
Within two years of establishment, Tombstone became one of the primarily populated towns.
It was home to more than a hundred saloons, over a dozen gambling halls, a bowling alley, many brothels, four churches, theatres, and large public office buildings.
Tombstone was a haven for lawless gunslingers, smugglers, cowboys, miners, and immigrants.
It was abandoned in 1892 when the mines dried up.
Today, Tombstone is one of the most popular ghost towns in Arizona, receiving 400,000 tourists visiting each year.
RECOMMENDED – 35 Fantastic Things To Do In Tombstone, The Ghost Town In Arizona
Another thing that made Tombstone attract tourists happened after being the filming venue showcasing the infamous gunfight at O.K. Corral in the 1993 movie Tombstone.
You can experience the old west architecture in Tombstone on one of the excellent guided tours.
Or hop on a horse-drawn wagon or stagecoach.
Or better, how about explore the town on this historic Tombstone Trolley bus?
Admire the old-time saloons, restaurants, and shops lining the old town area, especially around East Allen Street, lined with boutique gift shops and eateries.
Theatre enthusiasts should visit Schieffelin Hall. You can also attend one of the underground mining tours.
✅ Join mysterious tours to feel spooky at Boothill Cemetery.
Check out the iconic Bird Cage Theatre on Allen Street, a raucous saloon littered with bullet holes thanks to the infamous fight, where they regularly reenact the gunfight.
If you plan to stay overnight, I highly recommend
STAY OVERNIGHT IN A HERITAGE HOTEL
If you want a unique stay experience on your trip, one of the fun things to do while traveling from Tucson to Bisbee is staying at one of the heritage or historic hotels.
Among the famous ones is the Copper Queen Hotel, an architectural gem and the longest continuously operated hotel in Arizona.
The Copper Queen Hotel is where you rest your head and test your ghost tolerance.
It’s said to be haunted, but in a charming, “let’s share a drink” way.
Opened in 1902, the Copper Queen Hotel is Bisbee’s crown jewel, offering guests a blend of historic charm and tales of the supernatural.
It’s the oldest continuously operating hotel in Arizona.
It is also one of the most haunted places in Arizona, so if you want an eerie experience, you may even get it.
Among the heritage places to stay in Bisbee AZ is Bisbee Grand Hotel known for its luxurious architecture, Old West style and antique decor in different-themed room.
Check out more details, reviews and deals to book your room at a heritage hotel here.
GET TO KNOW BISBEE HISTORY
Once in Bisbee, the Mining & Historical Museum is your go-to for all things copper and more.
It’s a homage to the town’s mining heritage, minus the black lung.
One of the top attractions in Bisbee and the best place to know the town’s history is the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, a small local museum in the former headquarters of the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company in downtown Bisbee.
One of the first official Smithsonian Affiliates, the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum showcases the role in the industrialization of America.
The museum’s permanent exhibit, “Bisbee: Urban Outpost on the Frontier,” gives you details of 40 years of Bisbee through artefacts, photographs, tools, and everyday objects.
The museum, with the help of the Smithsonian, also often organizes temporary exhibits combining art and history.
The museum is open from 10 AM to 4 PM daily. General admission is $10 per adult.
GO GHOST HUNTING
The 130-year-old town has its share of scary stories and the Historic Ghost tour is a trip to Bisbee’s famous haunted spots.
Wrap up your trip with the Old Bisbee Ghost Tour.
It’s educational, slightly terrifying, and a perfect way to digest that hefty dinner from the Copper Queen.
One of the fun things to do in Bisbee AZ, you will learn all about the famous ghosts in town through Old Bisbee’s dark, narrow alleys, stairways, and houses.
Tours start place almost every day at 7PM.
On this tour averaging around 1.5 hours, the guide will take you through the narrow lanes and dark valleys of the old Bisbee town, listening to some gory and dark, infamous incidents in the town’s history, including roaming spirits and murders.
Check out the reviews, prices and other details to book the tour here.
OTHER WAYS TO TRAVEL FROM TUCSON TO BISBEE
Of course, if road-tripping isn’t your style, there are other ways to get from Tucson to Bisbee. Buses, although less frequent, offer a budget-friendly option.
BY BUS
There are no direct bus lines connecting Tucson and Bisbee.
There is one daily bus from Phoenix to Tombstone.
And for those looking for a truly unique experience, why not consider a bike tour?
It’s a longer commitment, but the sense of achievement is unbeatable.
RECOMMENDED TOURS TO ENJOY AT BISBEE AZ
✅Half-Day Arizona Wine Country Tasting Tour – I highly recommend this day tour for all wine lovers. Taking a wine tour from Bisbee or Sierra Vista to Arizona’s picturesque wine country of Sonoita-Elgin makes a fantastic day. Read more details here to book.
✅Guided E-Bike Tour of Bisbee, Arizona (Rating – 🤩5/5, 30+ reviews) – Join a small group and ride around Old Bisbee to learn about the town’s history, art, and architecture with guides for 2 hours. Book here.
✅1-Hour Tour Old Bisbee City Cart (Rating – 🤩5/5, 40+ reviews) – This is an interactive 1-hour ride through Old Bisbee, highlighting the infamous and not-famous stories and sights that make Bisbee the charming beauty it is. Find more details here.
✅3 Hour Private Bisbee Pub Crawl(Rating – 🤩5/5, 10+ reviews) – Find out more here to book.
WHERE TO STAY IN BISBEE AZ?
Here are the best options if you wonder where to stay in Bisbee, AZ.
✅ Letson Loft Hotel – Letson Loft Hotel🏨 is one of the best hotels in the town. Rooms also offer a kitchenette with a fridge, a microwave and a toaster.
You can also enjoy activities in and around Bisbee, like hiking and cycling. Find more details to book here.
✅ Eldorado Suites Hotel – Eldorado Suites Hotel🏨 offers city views, this accommodation offers a balcony. The aparthotel provides rooms with air conditioning, free private parking and free WiFi.
The aparthotel provides guests with a terrace, mountain views, a seating area, cable flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a microwave, and a private bathroom with bath and a hair dryer. Find more details here to book.
✅ Hotel San Ramon – Hotel San Ramon🏨 is a 3-star property situated in Bisbee.
Each accommodation at the 3-star hotel has city views and free WiFi. I highly recommend this for couples as it is one of the best reviewed hotels in the town. Check more details here.
✅ Mile High Ranch 🏨 – Among the top places to stay is Mile High Ranch, ideal for couples and families. Check more details here.
✅ If you are looking for a motel, Jonquil Motel 🏨 is a great choice.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON TUCSON TO BISBEE
So there you have it, folks – your comprehensive guide to traveling from Tucson to Bisbee.
The journey from Tucson to Bisbee is more than just a trip; it’s an exploration of Arizona’s piece of the puzzle that makes up the Wild West.
Whether you’re in it for the history, the nature, or just the sheer joy of the open road, this journey has something for everyone.
Safe travels, and may your Tucson to Bisbee journey be filled with unforgettable memories!
