Origin
Mesa, AZ
Afternoon in Mesa on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mesa, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZ
Drive Time
2h 9m
Distance
105.7 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 0m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 28m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 17m
5 PM
2h 27m
8 PM
2h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesa, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Catalina Foothills, AZ
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Traveling from Mesa to the Catalina Foothills covers 105.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip through the Desert Southwest, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, and North Arizona Avenue. Budgeting approximately $21 for fuel should cover your needs for the journey. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to drive straight through or build in your own breaks along the way. It is a straightforward connection between two desert communities that requires no overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
52.8 miles from Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only about 6% of this route consists of highway driving, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, which spans 50 miles. The experience shifts from the suburban feel of Mesa to the more technical, winding nature of local desert roads as you approach the Catalina Foothills. Prepare for a transition that requires more active steering than a standard interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 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 50 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 early in the drive near East University Drive.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 9m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East University Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles (I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East University Drive
Depart onto East University Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
22.5 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
96 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward Orange Grove Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 250
Toward Orange Grove Road
6
96.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
West River Road
Turn right onto West River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
5
104.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
North Hacienda del Sol Road
Turn left onto North Hacienda del Sol Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 50 mi | 50m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 23.5 mi | 23m |
| North Arizona Avenue | 11 mi | 18m |
| AZ 587 | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| West River Road | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| North Country Club Drive | 4 mi | 7m |
| East River Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| North Hacienda del Sol Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 50 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Catalina Foothills, AZ.
1
Start on East University Drive
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East University Drive
Use the none lane.
2
Turn left onto AZ 87
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
North Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on AZ 87
11 mi
·
18 min
·
North Arizona Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on AZ 587
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
AZ 587
Use the none lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
6
Merge onto I 10
24 mi
·
23 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
50 mi
·
50 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 250
Toward Orange Grove Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto North Casa Grande Highway
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
North Casa Grande Highway
10
Turn left onto West Orange Grove Road
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
West Orange Grove Road
11
Turn right onto West River Road
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
West River Road
Use the left / none lanes.
12
Continue on East River Road
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
East River Road
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left onto North Hacienda del Sol Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Hacienda del Sol Road
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
North Hacienda del Sol Road
Trip Plan
Since the trip is under two and a half hours, you have the benefit of timing your departure to avoid peak local traffic. While there are no mandated stops, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route can make for a more engaging, albeit more tiring, drive. Ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $21 cost estimate is a good benchmark for your total fuel consumption. Use the 50-mile stretch on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway as your primary opportunity to settle into a steady rhythm. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to head out whenever your schedule allows.
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 52.8 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.8 miles or 1h 8m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catalina Foothills, 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 105.7 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mesa, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 50 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.8 mi from Mesa, AZ · 1h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 52.8 miles from Mesa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Catalina Foothills, AZ
The final approach into Catalina Foothills, 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 Catalina Foothills, 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
$21.04 one way
$42.07 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $22.21 | $44.43 |
| premium | $5.59 | $23.25 | $46.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.48 | $46.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.10 | $5.07 |
| Efficient EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.25 | $4.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.80 | $6.76 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Catalina Foothills, AZ
Afternoon in Catalina Foothills on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
MST
Current temp
54°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
5 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
2h 9m 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 Catalina Foothills, AZ covers 105.7 miles and takes about 2h 9m 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, North Arizona Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.8 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 $21.04 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.
This is a straightforward 2h 9m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East University Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles (I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mesa, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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