IN THE FUTURE WILL TRAVELING BETWEEN EL PASO
TUSON.

I guess it depends on what you call a "side trip". The Cochise Stronghold National Recreation Area is south of I-10 at exit 331. Part of the Saguaro National Park is north of the route, if you leave at exit 279. Chiricahua National Monument is south of Bowie, Arizona.
There is not much of a named scenic attraction along I 10 in New Mexico, unless you deviate northeast to Alamagordo to visit White Sands National Monument. In the immediate Tucson vicinity there is quite a bit to see.
The Arizona - Sonara Desert Museum is fascinating; the Mission of San Javier del Bac is very interesting and historic.
And of course there are miles of desert between the two places about anywhere you want to turn off the main route!!

OOPPS. Sonora; not as I miswhacked it.

Put the car on cruise control and just barrel down the interstate - there is not a heck of a lot anyplace along the long long boring boring stretch of road. The newly opened Kartchner Caves just south of Benson, AZ (about 40 miles from Tucson) are worth visiting - I can't think of another thing close to I-10 tho - there is plenty to see and do in Tucson but along I-10 -- well let's just say most people don't stop for anything unless they need the facilities at the rest stops - in fact many people do this ride at night because there is virtually nothing to see and very little traffic except for 18-wheelers.

Cochise Stronghold is a few miles south of I-10. There are pecan orchards on the way to the park. The Stronghold itself is stream fed and has lots of vegetation.
http://www.arizonatourist.net/Southe...ld/Cochise.php for photos.

Chiricahua Mountains with hoodoos and other odd rock formations. Lots of hiking, but beware the elevation gain. If you don't want to hike the drive to the top has wonderful scenic views of the desert.
http://www.arizonatourist.net/Southe...Chiricahua.php

Gila cliff dwellings just above Silver City in New Mexico. The drive from Silver City to the Monument is beautiful as it's the southern part of the continental divide. Lot's of pine trees and great views.
http://www.newmexicotourist.net/Sout...fDwellings.php

Rockhound State Park in New Mexico has great views and semi-prescious gems. The best part, the park encourages you to take out up to 15 lbs of your findings.
http://www.newmexicotourist.net/Sout...dStatePark.php

And of course the historic Old Mesilla in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

I completely agree with Lori on Kartchner Caverns. IMO, that is a "must-see".

Before you get to Benson, pull off at Texas Canyon, the Dragoon exit. Go at least look at the Triangle-T Guest Ranch. Also nearby is the Amerind Foundation. The Triangle-T site has a link to it.

http://www.triangletguestranch.com/

Also, if you get off at Benson, you could go to tombstone and Bisbee.

Lots in/around Tucson if you are interested.

Since the original post was dated March 2000 - it would be unlikely the Poster was still needing information!