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Safety Score

Tucson, AZ

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Medium

Exercise Increased Caution

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Getting Around

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Known For

  • LGBT Scene
  • Outdoorsy

imageCovid Status

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Risk Level

High

Vaccination Progress

59.6%

Daily new cases

Per
100k

Infection rate

Positive test rate

0 %

% Vaccinated

59.6 1+ Dose

Tucson, AZ is located in the southeastern region of the state of Arizona, about 60 miles north of the Mexico border and 115 miles southeast of the state capital, Phoenix.

The best time to visit Tucson is typically from October to April when the weather is cooler and more pleasant. Summers can be very hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C).

You can fly into Tucson International Airport (TUS), which offers daily nonstop flights to several major cities across the United States. The airport is about 8 miles south of downtown Tucson.

Tucson is the second-largest city in Arizona, after Phoenix. It is a mid-sized city with a population of around 550,000 within the city limits and over 1 million in the metropolitan area.

Interstate 10 runs directly through Tucson, connecting it to Phoenix to the northwest and El Paso, Texas to the southeast. Additionally, State Route 210, 77, and 19 also provide access to other parts of the state and nearby regions.

Tucson is known for its picturesque desert scenery, including saguaro cacti, and is surrounded by multiple mountain ranges, such as the Santa Catalina Mountains to the northeast, the Rincon Mountains to the east, and the Tucson Mountains to the west.

Tucson is approximately 320 miles from the Grand Canyon's South Rim, which translates to a drive of about 5-6 hours.

Yes, Saguaro National Park, which is known for its large population of native saguaro cacti, borders Tucson to the west and east. Tucson is also a short drive from other natural attractions, such as Catalina State Park and Coronado National Forest.

Yes. The nearest international border crossing is at Nogales, which is about a 1-hour drive (approximately 70 miles) to the south of Tucson. Travelers can cross into Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, for shopping, dining, or other activities.

Tucson offers a variety of public transportation options, including buses operated by Sun Tran, a modern streetcar called the Sun Link that connects key attractions in the city center, and bicycle-sharing programs such as Tugo Bike Share. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are also available.