Origin
Cienega Springs, AZ
Afternoon in Cienega Springs on Wednesday
Local time
12:46 PM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cienega Springs, AZ to Mesa, AZ
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
183.4 mi
295 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Cienega Springs, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 183.4 miles and takes about 3h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway, Papago Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 104.7 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.54 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
91.7 miles from Cienega Springs, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 23m drive with frequent turns across 183.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 104.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 167.8 miles in near Red Mountain Freeway.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 183.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 167.8 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.9 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 168.2 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
167.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
6
167.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
168.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
7
179.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward Alma School Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward Alma School Road
6
179.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
|
North Alma School Road
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 104.7 mi | 1h 45m |
| Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway | 30.9 mi | 35m |
| Papago Freeway | 21.2 mi | 24m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Rio Vista Highway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| North Central Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| West University Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Alma School Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 104.7 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cienega Springs, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on Cienega Springs Road
125 ft
·
10 sec
·
Cienega Springs Road
2
Turn left onto Riverside Drive
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Riverside Drive
3
Turn right onto AZ 95
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Rio Vista Highway
4
Turn left onto AZ 95
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
California Avenue
5
Continue on AZ 95
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
6
Continue on AZ 95
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
7
Continue on AZ 95
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
North Central Boulevard
8
Turn left onto I 10 BUS
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
9
Turn right onto I 10 Bus
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Riggles Road
10
Take the ramp onto I 10 Business
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10 Business
11
Merge onto I 10
105 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
14
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
17
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 11
Toward Alma School Road
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Alma School Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto West University Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West University Drive
Use the left lane.
21
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 91.7 miles from Cienega Springs, AZ, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.7 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.7 miles or 1h 42m 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 41m
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 Cienega Springs, 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 Cienega Springs, AZ
This is one driving day of about 183.4 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cienega Springs, 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 104.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.7 mi from Cienega Springs, AZ · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 91.7 miles from Cienega Springs, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.7 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Mesa, AZ.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.54 one way
$73.07 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $38.67 | $77.33 |
| premium | $5.59 | $40.37 | $80.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.49 | $80.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55 | 0 | $19.26 | $8.80 |
| Efficient EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.05 | $7.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.68 | $11.74 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Mesa on Wednesday
Local time
12:46 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
3 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 23m 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 Cienega Springs, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 183.4 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway, Papago Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91.7 miles from Cienega Springs, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.54 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 183.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 167.8 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.9 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 168.2 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cienega Springs, AZ to Mesa, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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