Origin
Catalina, AZ
Morning in Catalina on Thursday
Local time
8:40 AM
MST
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Catalina, AZ to Mesa, AZ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
96.8 mi
156 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Catalina, AZ
Allie
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 96.8-mile drive from Catalina to Mesa, Arizona, will take approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. With a modest fuel cost of around $19, it's an economical journey. The route stays within the Desert Southwest region, so expect consistent arid landscapes. Since there are no designated overnight stops and the drive is relatively short, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. This trip is designed as a turn-heavy local exploration rather than a high-speed highway transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.4 miles from Catalina, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 96.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a local drive with a significant number of turns, as indicated by the 0% highway share. You'll be navigating roads like North Elkins Road, Edwin Road, and Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard for the entire 96.8 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent changes in direction and potentially slower speeds. This route prioritizes navigating local thoroughfares over covering distance on high-speed roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Elkins Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Catalina, AZ to Mesa, AZ is easy. At 1h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Catalina, AZ to Mesa, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Elkins Road | — | — |
| Edwin Road | — | — |
| Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard | — | — |
| Tucson-Globe Highway | — | — |
| State Route 79 | — | — |
| Pinal Pioneer Parkway | — | — |
| South Pinal Parkway Avenue | — | — |
| North Pinal Parkway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Elkins Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catalina, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on East Pinto Place
492 ft
·
27 sec
·
East Pinto Place
2
Turn left onto North Elkins Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Elkins Road
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Edwin Road
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Edwin Road
4
Turn left onto Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Tucson-Globe Highway
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Tucson-Globe Highway
6
Turn left onto State Route 79
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
State Route 79
7
Continue on Pinal Pioneer Parkway
36 mi
·
41 min
·
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
8
Continue on South Pinal Parkway Avenue
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
South Pinal Parkway Avenue
9
Continue on North Pinal Parkway
16 mi
·
19 min
·
North Pinal Parkway
10
Continue on Oracle Junction–Florence Highway
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Oracle Junction–Florence Highway
11
Turn left onto US 60 West: Apache Junction, Mesa, Phoenix
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
US 60 West: Apache Junction, Mesa, Phoenix
12
Merge slight left onto Phoenix–Globe Highway
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
13
Continue on Superstition Freeway
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Superstition Freeway
14
Take the exit slight right toward Mesa Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Mesa Drive
15
Turn right onto South Mesa Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Mesa Drive
16
Continue on North Mesa Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Mesa Drive
17
Turn right onto East University Drive
72 ft
·
2 sec
·
East University Drive
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 42-minute duration and the local road nature of this 96.8-mile trip, there's no need to split the journey. Consider leaving in the morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures and to have ample time for any unexpected detours. With a fuel cost of about $19, you won't need to worry about frequent gas station stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay close attention to navigation as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent turns.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.4 miles from Catalina, AZ, or about 51m into the drive.
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 21 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.4 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 24m
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 Catalina, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Catalina, AZ
This is one driving day of about 96.8 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Catalina, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.4 mi from Catalina, AZ · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.4 miles from Catalina, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Mesa, AZ
The final approach into Mesa, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.28 one way
$38.57 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $20.41 | $40.82 |
| premium | $5.59 | $21.31 | $42.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.37 | $42.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29 | 0 | $10.16 | $4.65 |
| Efficient EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.47 | $3.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.55 | $6.20 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Mesa, AZ
Morning in Mesa on Thursday
Local time
8:40 AM
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
7 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
1h 42m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Catalina, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 96.8 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Elkins Road, Edwin Road, Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.4 miles from Catalina, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Catalina, AZ to Mesa, AZ is easy. At 1h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Catalina, AZ to Mesa, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Catalina, AZ to Mesa, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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