Where is Tucson, Arizona?

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated: June 08, 2026

Tucson is located in the south-east of the state, It is the second-largest populated city in the state of Arizona behind Phoenix, and the 33rd largest city and the 58th largest metropolitan area in the United States.

Location Map of Tucson, Arizona

Where is Tucson About Map: Map showing the Location of Tucson, Arizona in the US.

Where is Tucson Located, TX?

Tucson is a city and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. Tucson is the 2nd largest city in Arizona, with a population of 548,073 in the 2019 United States Census and the 33rd largest city and the 58th largest metropolitan area in the United States. It comprising a total area of 240.79 sq mi (623.65 sq km). Tucson is situated 108 miles (174 km) southeast of Phoenix city and 60 mi (97 km) north of the U.S.– Mexico border.

  
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Tucson, Arizona Quick Facts

FactDetails
CityTucson
CountyPima County
StateArizona
State CapitalPhoenix
US RegionWest
Latitude32.2226° N
Longitude110.9747° W
Elevation2,389 ft (728 m)
Land Area241.0 sq mi
Water Area0.7 sq mi
Total Area241.7 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)542,629
Population DensityApproximately 2,252 per sq mi
ZIP Codes85701, 85704, 85705, 85706, 85708, 85710, 85711, 85712, 85713, 85714, 85715, 85716, 85718, 85719, 85730, 85735, 85741, 85742, 85743, 85745, 85746, 85747, 85748, 85749, 85750
Area Code520
Time Zone StandardMountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7)
Time Zone DaylightMountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7)
CurrencyUS Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code04-77000
Congressional DistrictArizona 6th Congressional District

Location and Surroundings

Tucson is located in Pima County in southern Arizona within the Sonoran Desert. It lies between the Santa Catalina Mountains to the north and the Tucson Mountains to the west, about 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The city is known for its desert landscapes, rich multicultural heritage, outdoor recreation, and the University of Arizona.

Nearby Cities to Tucson, Arizona

  • South Tucson, Arizona - 3 mi South
  • Oro Valley, Arizona - 10 mi North
  • Marana, Arizona - 21 mi Northwest
  • Sahuarita, Arizona - 20 mi South
  • Green Valley, Arizona - 28 mi South
  • Vail, Arizona - 24 mi Southeast
  • Benson, Arizona - 45 mi East
  • Casa Grande, Arizona - 68 mi Northwest
  • Nogales, Arizona - 70 mi South
  • Phoenix, Arizona - 116 mi Northwest

Tucson, Arizona Climate and Weather Overview

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Rainfall (in)
January66390.9
April85540.3
July100752.3
October88581.0
Annual855611.0
Climate AttributeDetails
Climate Classification (Köppen)Hot Semi-Arid (BSh)
Annual RainfallAbout 11 inches
Annual Sunshine DaysApproximately 286 days
Hurricane/Tornado RiskVery low
SnowfallTrace amounts on average

Driving Distances from Tucson, Arizona

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
Oro ValleyArizona1015 min
MaranaArizona2125 min
SahuaritaArizona2025 min
Green ValleyArizona2835 min
VailArizona2430 min
BensonArizona4545 min
NogalesArizona701 hr 10 min
Casa GrandeArizona681 hr
PhoenixArizona1161 hr 50 min
YumaArizona2403 hr 40 min

Transportation and Connectivity in Tucson, Arizona

CategoryDetails
Airport NameTucson International Airport
IATA CodeTUS
PortNot Applicable
Major HighwaysI-10, I-19, SR 77, SR 86, SR 210
Train/Amtrak ServiceAmtrak Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle
Local Bus/Transit ServiceSun Tran and Sun Link Streetcar
  • Interstate 10 - Major east-west corridor connecting Tucson with Phoenix, New Mexico, and California.
  • Interstate 19 - Connects Tucson with Nogales and the U.S.-Mexico border.
  • State Route 77 - Links Tucson with communities in central and northeastern Arizona.
  • State Route 86 - Provides access to western Pima County and the Tohono O'odham Nation.
  • Barraza-Aviation Parkway (SR 210) - Important urban route serving central Tucson.
  • Broadway Boulevard - Major east-west arterial through the city.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Tucson, Arizona

Landmark NameType
Saguaro National ParkNational Park
Arizona-Sonora Desert MuseumMuseum
Mission San Xavier del BacHistoric Site
Pima Air and Space MuseumMuseum
Old TucsonHistoric Attraction
Sabino Canyon Recreation AreaNature Area
Tucson Botanical GardensBotanical Garden
Reid Park ZooZoo
University of Arizona Museum of ArtMuseum
Mount LemmonNatural Attraction

Waterbodies in Tucson, Arizona

Santa Cruz River, Rillito River, Pantano Wash, Canada del Oro Wash, Sabino Creek, Tanque Verde Creek, Silverbell Lake, Kennedy Lake, Rose Canyon Lake, Parker Canyon Lake

Golf Courses in Tucson, Arizona

Ventana Canyon Golf Club, Starr Pass Golf Club, Arizona National Golf Club, Randolph Dell Urich Golf Course, Randolph North Golf Course, Omni Tucson National Golf Resort, El Conquistador Golf Course, Sewailo Golf Club, Forty Niner Country Club, Dove Mountain Golf Club

Economy and Major Employers in Tucson, Arizona

SectorMajor Employer or IndustryNotes
EducationUniversity of ArizonaLargest employer in the city.
HealthcareBanner - University Medical Center TucsonMajor healthcare provider.
AerospaceRaytheonLeading defense and technology employer.
GovernmentPima County and City GovernmentSignificant public-sector employment.
HealthcareTucson Medical CenterMajor regional hospital.
TourismHospitality and Recreation IndustrySupports year-round visitors.
TechnologyOptics and Photonics IndustryGrowing innovation sector.
ManufacturingAdvanced ManufacturingSupports regional economic growth.

Colleges and Schools in Tucson, Arizona

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
University of ArizonaPublicUniversityFlagship research university
Pima Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeWorkforce and transfer programs
Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental MedicinePrivateGraduate SchoolIntegrative medicine education
Brookline College TucsonPrivateCollegeHealthcare training programs
Tucson Unified School DistrictPublicK-12 DistrictLargest school district in southern Arizona
Sunnyside Unified School DistrictPublicK-12 DistrictServes southern Tucson communities

Tucson, Arizona - Key Historical Facts

  • Tucson is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in North America, with human occupation dating back thousands of years.
  • The Spanish established Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson in the late eighteenth century.
  • Tucson became part of the United States through the Gadsden Purchase in 1854.
  • The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1880 accelerated the city's growth and economic development.
  • The University of Arizona was founded in Tucson in 1885, becoming a major influence on the city's identity.
  • Today, Tucson is recognized for its cultural heritage, desert environment, scientific research, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

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