Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Canyon Day, AZ to Mesa, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 33m

Distance

159.6 mi

257 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 21m ★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 59m
10 AM
3h 43m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 57m
8 PM
3h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Canyon Day, AZ, AZ

Canyon Day, AZ

Strange Happenings

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mesa, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Canyon Day, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 159.6 miles and takes about 3h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Globe-Show Low Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, South Chief Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62.5 miles on Globe-Show Low Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.79 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

79.8 miles from Canyon Day, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Globe-Show Low Highway 62.5 mi 1h 10m
Phoenix–Globe Highway 42.9 mi 55m
South Chief Avenue 23 mi 40m
Superstition Freeway 18.6 mi 21m
US 60 4 mi 7m
South Mesa Drive 2 mi 3m
West Live Oak Street 1.9 mi 3m
North Broad Street 1.9 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Globe-Show Low Highway — 62.5 mi, about 1h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Canyon Day, AZ and Mesa, AZ.

1

Start on West Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Street
2

At end of road, turn left onto AZ 73

23 mi · 40 min · South Chief Avenue
3

At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77

62 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Globe-Show Low Highway
4

Turn right onto US 60

1.1 mi · 2 min · East Ash Street
5

Turn right onto South Hill Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · South Hill Street
6

Turn left onto East Oak Street

366 ft · 11 sec · East Oak Street
7

Turn right onto North Broad Street

0.5 mi · 53 sec · North Broad Street
8

Continue on US 60

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street
9

Continue on US 60

4.0 mi · 7 min · US 60
10

Continue on US 60

1.9 mi · 3 min · West Live Oak Street
11

Continue on US 60

43 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
12

Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist

19 mi · 21 min · Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 180 Toward Mesa Drive Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn right onto South Mesa Drive

2.0 mi · 3 min · South Mesa Drive
Use the left lane.
15

Continue on North Mesa Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Mesa Drive
16

Turn right onto East University Drive

73 ft · 1 sec · East University Drive
17

Arrive at destination

East University Drive

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.8 miles from Canyon Day, AZ, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.5 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 35 miles or 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 79.8 miles or 1h 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 57m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mesa, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Canyon Day, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Canyon Day, AZ

This is one driving day of about 159.6 miles and 3h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Canyon Day, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Globe-Show Low Highway for about 62.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Gila County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Globe, AZ

80 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Cibecue, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Globe, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.8 miles from Canyon Day, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Globe-Show Low Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 114

Superior, Arizona

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15206892723

Visit website

Legends of Superior Trails

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 114

Superior, Arizona

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16029359034

Visit website

Riverview Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 159.6

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14806442352

Visit website

Cobre Valley Center for the Arts

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 91.2

Globe, Arizona

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19284250884

Visit website

Besh-Ba-Gowah Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 91.2

Globe, Arizona

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+19284250320

Visit website

Tyrannostorus

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 159.6

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+14805974467

Visit website

Besh-Ba-Gowah Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 91.2

Globe, Arizona

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+19284250320

Visit website

Signal Butte Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 148.2

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14806447529

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 157.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | AZ 73 / South Chief Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto AZ 73 / South Chief Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
23.4 mi into trip | ~42m in | US 60; AZ 77 / Globe-Show Low Highway

At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77 / Globe-Show Low Highway

Navigation decision point

4
87.3 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in | East Oak Street

Turn left onto East Oak Street

Navigation decision point

7
156.7 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in

Take the exit toward Mesa Drive

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 180 Toward Mesa Drive
5
157.1 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in | South Mesa Drive

Turn right onto South Mesa Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.79 one way

$63.59 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $33.65 $67.30
premium $5.59 $35.13 $70.26
diesel $5.61 $35.24 $70.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.9 0 $16.76 $7.66
Efficient EV 39.9 0 $13.96 $6.38
EV Truck/SUV 63.8 0 $22.34 $10.21

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Canyon Day, AZ

Afternoon in Canyon Day on Saturday

Local time

12:05 PM

MST

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mesa, AZ

Afternoon in Mesa on Saturday

Local time

12:05 PM

MST

Current temp

93°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

52 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 33m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

National Monument

An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...

21 mi from route ~54 min detour Free near mile 126.6
View on nps.gov
Tonto National Monument

Tonto National Monument

National Monument

Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour $10 near mile 99.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 3h 33m drive with frequent turns across 159.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Globe-Show Low Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 62.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near AZ 73 / South Chief Avenue.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 33m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (AZ 73 / South Chief Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.4 miles (US 60; AZ 77 / Globe-Show Low Highway): Navigation decision point; at 87.3 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Arriving in Mesa, AZ

Full guide →

Mesa, population 518,000 (2019), is in Maricopa County. It is Arizona's third-largest city, and is part of the Greater Phoenix urban complex.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 159.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (14%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Canyon Day, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 159.6 miles and takes about 3h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Globe-Show Low Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, South Chief Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 79.8 miles from Canyon Day, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.79 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 3h 33m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (AZ 73 / South Chief Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.4 miles (US 60; AZ 77 / Globe-Show Low Highway): Navigation decision point; at 87.3 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point.

The route from Canyon Day, AZ to Mesa, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Mesa, AZ

Beaver Dam, AZ 395.7 mi · 7h 52m Lukachukai, AZ 331.3 mi · 7h 2m Willow Valley, AZ 250.9 mi · 4h 52m Grand Canyon, AZ 244.8 mi · 4h 36m

More from Canyon Day, AZ

Tucson, AZ 190.1 mi · 4h 24m Peoria, AZ 188.6 mi · 4h 12m Glendale, AZ 184.4 mi · 4h 4m Gilbert, AZ 157.6 mi · 3h 32m

More trips to Mesa, AZ

Window Rock, AZ 271.3 mi Pinon, AZ 266.8 mi Grand Canyon Village, AZ 244.9 mi Douglas, AZ 228.9 mi Naco, AZ 211.6 mi Yuma, AZ 202.2 mi
Escape planner: Canyon Day, AZ Scenic drives in AZ

Explore more options from Canyon Day, AZ or browse trips ending in Mesa, AZ.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.