Origin
Mesa, AZ
Afternoon in Mesa on Thursday
Local time
2:23 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mesa, AZ to Bagdad, AZ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
140.5 mi
226 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Bagdad, AZ
waqed walid
Trip Overview
The drive from Mesa, AZ to Bagdad, AZ covers 140.5 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 Wickenburg–Kingman Highway, Grand Avenue, Papago Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 44.4 miles on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.99 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
70.2 miles from Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 140.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 23m drive with frequent turns across 140.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 44.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 140.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Turn left toward AZ 202 Loop West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
14.8 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West
7
28.1 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
37.8 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward US 60
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward US 60
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wickenburg–Kingman Highway | 44.4 mi | 56m |
| Grand Avenue | 27.4 mi | 37m |
| Papago Freeway | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Santa Maria-Bagdad Highway | 10.9 mi | 19m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway | 9 mi | 10m |
| Agua Fria Freeway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Hillside-Bagdad Highway | 4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
— 44.4 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Bagdad, AZ.
1
Start on East University Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East University Drive
2
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Alma School Road
3
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West
Use the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
8
Continue on I 10
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 133B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 11
Toward US 60
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto US 60
20 mi
·
28 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
159 ft
·
3 sec
·
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
14
Continue on US 60
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
15
Continue on US 60
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
16
Continue on US 60
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
17
Continue on US 60
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Grand Avenue
18
Continue on US 60
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
Phoenix-Wickenburg Highway
19
Continue on US 60
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
20
Continue on US 60
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Wickenburg Way
21
Enter roundabout onto US 93
2 ft
·
0 sec
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
22
Continue on US 93
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
26
Enter roundabout onto US 93
100 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
27
Continue on US 93
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
28
Enter roundabout onto US 93
155 ft
·
6 sec
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
29
Continue on US 93
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
30
Turn left onto US 93
112 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
39 mi
·
45 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
32
Turn right onto AZ 97
11 mi
·
19 min
·
Santa Maria-Bagdad Highway
Use the right lane.
33
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 96
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Hillside-Bagdad Highway
34
Continue on Main Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Main Street
35
Turn right onto Lindahl Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Lindahl Road
36
Continue on North Lindahl
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lindahl
37
Turn left
1.3 mi
·
8 min
38
Turn right
0.8 mi
·
5 min
39
Arrive at destination
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 70.2 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.4 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 31 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.2 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bagdad, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mesa, 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 Mesa, AZ
This is one driving day of about 140.5 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Mesa, 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 Wickenburg–Kingman Highway for about 44.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.2 mi from Mesa, AZ · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.2 miles from Mesa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bagdad, AZ
The final approach into Bagdad, 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 Bagdad, 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
$27.99 one way
$55.98 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $29.62 | $59.24 |
| premium | $5.59 | $30.93 | $61.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.02 | $62.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.75 | $6.74 |
| Efficient EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.29 | $5.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.2 | 0 | $19.67 | $8.99 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Bagdad, AZ
Afternoon in Bagdad on Thursday
Local time
2:23 PM
MST
Current temp
72°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
21 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 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 Mesa, AZ to Bagdad, AZ covers 140.5 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 Wickenburg–Kingman Highway, Grand Avenue, Papago Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.2 miles from Mesa, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.99 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 demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 140.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mesa, AZ to Bagdad, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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