Driving to Tombstone and sierra vista from las cruces and

Question

We are driving West on I10 from las cruces to Tucson but would like to stop along the way in Tombstone and stay overnight at Sierra Vista. What is the best road to drive from Tombstone to Sierra Vista?. We drive a family sedan so we need to avoid any fort roads or rough roads with high grades that require a vehicle with off road capability.

Answer

Driving from Las Cruces to Tucson along I-10 is straightforward, but since you want to stop in Tombstone and stay overnight in Sierra Vista, planning your route carefully will help avoid rough roads and steep grades, which is ideal for a family sedan.

From Las Cruces to Tombstone: The most direct and easiest route is via I-10 East to Benson and then north to Tombstone. This is a paved, well-maintained route suitable for standard vehicles.

Take I-10 East from Las Cruces toward Benson (approximately 90 miles).
Exit at AZ-80 East toward Tombstone (about 35 miles).
This route is entirely paved and has gentle grades, suitable for any sedan.

From Tombstone to Sierra Vista: You have a few options, but the recommended route avoids rough roads and high grades:

Take AZ-90 South from Tombstone directly to Sierra Vista (about 17 miles). This is the main, paved road connecting the two towns.
This route passes through small communities like Fairbank and has scenic views of the San Pedro River Valley without any off-road sections.
Traveling this way ensures a smooth drive for a family sedan without needing off-road capability.

Additional Tips:

Fill up on gas in Tombstone or Benson; there are limited stations on AZ-90.
Drive carefully in the evening, as wildlife such as deer can cross the road, especially in the valley areas near Sierra Vista.
If you want a slightly more scenic alternative, you could detour via Ft. Huachuca on AZ-90, but the main AZ-90 route is faster and just as smooth.

In summary, stick to paved state highways: AZ-80 to Tombstone, then AZ-90 south to Sierra Vista. This ensures a safe, easy, and scenic drive suitable for your family sedan.

Driving to Tombstone and sierra vista from las cruces and

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