Origin
Glendale, AZ
Night in Glendale on Tuesday
Local time
11:46 PM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Glendale, AZ to Mescal, AZ
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
3h
Distance
164 mi
264 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glendale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Mescal, AZ
Los Muertos Crew
Trip Overview
This 164-mile drive from Glendale, AZ to Mescal, AZ is a manageable day trip, estimated to take around 3 hours. You'll primarily travel on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and Tucson-Benson Highway, with about 16% of the route being on highways. The local roads offer a more hands-on driving experience, making it a turn-heavy journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, this trip is budget-friendly for a single day of exploration within the Desert Southwest region. It's a straightforward route suitable for those who prefer a more direct path with minimal fuss.
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
82 miles from Glendale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 164-mile journey. While 16% of the route utilizes highways, the majority is on local roads, meaning you'll navigate more intersections and changes in speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.6 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, offering a brief period of consistent travel. This route isn't about monotonous interstate cruising; instead, it provides a more engaging driving experience as you transition between different local road networks. Be prepared for a dynamic drive that requires your attention.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 54.6 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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in near US 60 / West Thomas Road.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 164 miles you will encounter 8 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 6.4 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
6.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 60 / West Thomas Road
Turn left onto US 60 / West Thomas Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight left lanes.
5
6.6 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway
Turn right onto US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway
Navigation decision point
5
6.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 17 South
5
7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge onto I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
161.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 297
Toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 36.5 mi | 38m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 16.3 mi | 18m |
| North Freeway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Grand Avenue | 5.9 mi | 10m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| North Mescal Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, AZ and Mescal, AZ.
1
Start on US 60
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Grand Avenue
2
Continue on US 60
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit onto US 60
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 60
Toward 27th Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 60
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Thomas Road
Use the left / slight left lanes.
5
Turn right onto US 60
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Black Canyon Highway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 17 South
7
Merge onto I 17; US 60
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 17; US 60
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
36 mi
·
38 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 297
Toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road
14
Turn left onto J-6 Road
369 ft
·
15 sec
·
J-6 Road
15
Continue on North Mescal Road
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North Mescal Road
16
Arrive at destination
North Mescal Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and 164-mile distance, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip from Glendale to Mescal. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any spontaneous stops or to simply enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 54.6-mile stretch on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, as services might be less frequent there. The $33 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check local prices before you leave.
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 82 miles from Glendale, AZ, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82 miles or 1h 31m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mescal, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Glendale, 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 Glendale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 164 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Glendale, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82 mi from Glendale, AZ · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 82 miles from Glendale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Mescal, AZ
The final approach into Mescal, 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 Mescal, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.67 one way
$65.34 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $34.58 | $69.15 |
| premium | $5.59 | $36.10 | $72.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.21 | $72.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.22 | $7.87 |
| Efficient EV | 41 | 0 | $14.35 | $6.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.96 | $10.50 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Mescal, AZ
Night in Mescal on Tuesday
Local time
11:46 PM
MST
Current temp
80°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
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 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 Glendale, AZ to Mescal, AZ covers 164 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82 miles from Glendale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.67 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 164 miles you will encounter 8 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 6.4 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Glendale, AZ to Mescal, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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