Though it is one of the shortest interstates in the country, I-19 serves as an important fast track between Mexico and Tucson. With traffic resulting from this, several points of interest have naturally sprung up along I-19’s brief stretch through southern Arizona.

Road-tripping

this interstate is a great way to see some of the natural beauty the Grand Canyon State has to offer—and to taste some of its world-famous Mexican cuisine as well. Here

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What is an interstate highway?

As the name suggests, an interstate highway typically runs through multiple states to connect metro areas of the United States.

However, as with I-19, not all interstates travel between states. The reason these interstates are still referred to as “interstate” highways, rather than state-specific highways, is because they are federally funded. In this sense, the money used to build and maintain the highway comes from multiple states, even if the highway itself only passes through one.

The numbering of each interstate highway communicates information about its direction and importance. Most interstates use one or two-digit numbers. Odd numbers usually suggest the highway runs north to south while even numbers suggest a west to east route. Additionally, interstates that end in zero or five more often than not play a more major role for travelers.

What states does I-19 run through?

Interstate 19 is one of few highways in the interstate highway system that only runs through one state:

Arizona

—63.35 miles

Interestingly, its proximity to Mexico adds another unique feature to its route: the road signs post distances in kilometers, not miles. Speed limits, however, are posted in miles.

Arizona’s Department of Transportation made plans to convert the metric signage to miles to clear up this confusion, but taxpayers spoke out against it. They argued that it was a unique feature of Interstate 19. Having heard the masses, ADOT eventually allowed the metric signs to stay.

MORE:

Does my car insurance cover me if I cross the U.S. border?

Major interchanges on I-19

Due to its short length, I-19 only connects to one other major interstate highway: I-10. However, at 2,460 miles itself, Interstate 10 is certainly a useful interchange.

Here’s where you can get on:

I-10 East—takeExit 101 in Tucson toward

El Paso

I-10 West—continue north on I-19 until it defaults to I-10 (toward

Phoenix

) in Tucson

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Best places to eat along I-19

Though Interstate 19 may not go far, there is no shortage of fantastic local restaurants to eat at along the way. Road-tripping this little interstate comes packed with all types of flavor. Here are just a few of your options:

Mi Nidito

in Tucson, AZ: Meaning “my little nest” in Spanish, Mi Nidito has served authentic Sonoran cuisine to both presidents and NBA champions since 1952. Located in historic South Tucson, this family-run restaurant is known to have some of the best birria, chimichangas, and enchiladas in the city.

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant

in Green Valley, AZ: Featuring traditional recipes passed down through generations, Manuel’s is

Green Valley

’s go-to spot for all-day Mexican food and margaritas.

Elvira’s

in Tubac, AZ: Originally established in Nogales, Mexico in 1927, Elvira’s moved into the U.S. and up the I-19 to bring its vibrant setting and tastes to Tubac, AZ. Not only did Chef Monroy craft an inventive spin on local Mexican cuisine, but he also painted the restaurant himself with explosions of color as a nod to both new and old Mexico.

Wisdom’s Cafe

in Tumacacori, AZ: Built in 1944, Wisdom’s Cafe grew from a rowdy bar to a New York Times-praised generational restaurant. World famous for its mouthwatering, accidental creation—the fruit burro—Wisdom’s has become a dining tradition for I-19 travelers and locals alike.

Restaurant La Bocanita

Rio Rico, AZ

: From shrimp soup to enchiladas suizas, Restaurant La Bocanita is a delicious and affordable stop for a wide range of casual Mexican cuisine.

Cocina La Ley

in Nogales, AZ: Cocina La Ley has been a favorite amongst Nogales locals since it opened its doors in 1994. Serving exceptional, fresh Mexican seafood on a 100% “from scratch” menu, you can’t beat the quality or the prices at this little family-owned hideaway.

Pro Tip Be sure todouble-check the working hours for each restaurant you plan on hitting up along your road trip. The worst feeling is arriving at a restaurant hungry only to realize it’s closed for the night!

What is there to do on I-19?

For a short interstate, I-19 goes through some of Arizona’s most breathtaking natural landscapes. On top of this, the area is rich in Indigenous history and offers experiential learning sites pertaining to the Cold War and modern copper mining practices.

Here are just a few of the things you can see and do along I-19:

Santa Cruz River Park

in Tucson, AZ

Mission San Xavier Del Bac

in Tucson, AZ

Asarco Mineral Discovery Center

Sahuarita, AZ

Titan Missile Museum

in Green Valley, AZ

Historic Hacienda de la Canoa

in Green Valley, AZ

Tumacacori National Historical Park

in Tumacacori-Carmen, AZ

Patagonia Lake State Park

in Nogales, AZ

MORE:

The coolest abandoned places in Arizona

Find affordable car insurance with Jerry

Whether you’re planning on taking a short, sweet road trip along I-19, or you’re headed down to Mexico for a visit, you’ll want to keep your vehicle protected with good

car insurance

. Though finding affordable rates may seem daunting,

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The app is free to use and instantly compares quotes from over 55 top insurance companies to track down the best rates available to you. Once you find a plan you like, simply select it through the app and Jerry’s team of expert brokers will help handle all the transition calls and paperwork.

The average user ends up saving more than $800 a year on car insurance, so it’s definitely worth a look to save up for some extra burros and margaritas on your I-19 trip!

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