Benson (Arizona)

Benson is a historic rail town of 5,400 people (2020) in Southeast Arizona. For visitors there is little of interest in the town, but it does offer a range of options for accommodation and as such can be a good base for exploring the region.

Understand
Benson is one of the few towns in the region which still has passenger rail service.



By car
Interstate 10 (I-10) is the main thoroughfare through Benson in an east/west direction with access from Tucson in the west and Lordsburg, New Mexico from the east. Benson is accessed from Exits 302 and 312 with Exits 304 and 306 leading directly into town. to 4th St serves as local "main street" access from Exits 304 to 306 of I-10, through downtown Benson. Going east from Exit 304 the road eventually curves south, past town, towards the Mexican border in Douglas as AZ-80 (Old US 80) through Bisbee and Tombstone. Fourth Avenue eventually goes east past the AZ-80 turn off and returns to I-10 at Exit 306.

Arizona Highway 90 goes along the westside of town towards Sierra Vista via Huachuca City and Whetstone. From Huachuca, AZ-90 curves east towards AZ-80 north of Bisbee or continue on the same road past Sierra Vista as AZ-92 which curves directly into Bisbee at AZ-80. Local access into Benson on Red Chile Rd by Conchise College Benson Campus or if coming from south through Cooperative Rd. Both fork into W Janella Dr which winds into town in a series of roads.

Get around
Benson Area Transit (BAT) operates a "Fixed Deviated Route" service with bus stops throughout the City of Benson and Pomerene. Fixed route buses are wheelchair accessible.