Origin
Mesa, AZ
Afternoon in Mesa on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mesa, AZ to Douglas, AZ
Drive Time
4h 33m
Distance
229 mi
368 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 20m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 43m
12 PM
4h 40m
3 PM
4h 44m
5 PM
4h 59m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesa, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Douglas, AZ
Helena Jankovičová Kováčová
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 229-mile journey from Mesa to Douglas takes you across the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect a travel time of approximately 4 hours and 33 minutes, making this a manageable route for a single-day trip. Your itinerary will primarily utilize the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, the Tucson-Benson Highway, and AZ 80. With an estimated fuel cost of $46, it is an affordable excursion for those looking to explore southern Arizona. Because the drive is straightforward, you can easily complete it in one day without needing to split your travel into an overnight stay. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, this path offers a reliable connection between these two desert hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
114.5 miles from Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed drive profile, transitioning from major thoroughfares to local state highways. While 35% of your time will be spent on highways, the character of the road shifts significantly as you head toward Douglas. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 54.6 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, which allows for steady, consistent progress. As you pivot to the latter portions of the route, the driving experience becomes more varied. Be prepared for the transition from the high-capacity interstate style roads to the more intimate rhythm of AZ 80, which defines the final leg of your journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 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?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 33m drive. You will face about 10 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 1 miles (AZ 87 / North Country Club Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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.
4
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
AZ 87 / North Country Club Drive
Turn left onto AZ 87 / North Country Club Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
22.2 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Tucson
Navigation decision point
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
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.
6
148 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 302
Toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Mesa, AZ to Douglas, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Sierra Vista along the way.
Sierra Vista
148 mi in
|
~2h 46m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 41.4 mi | 43m |
| AZ 80 | 33.1 mi | 45m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 23.5 mi | 23m |
| State Route 90 | 16.5 mi | 19m |
| Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway | 13.3 mi | 16m |
| North Arizona Avenue | 11 mi | 18m |
| Huachuca Boulevard | 9.1 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Douglas, 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
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
41 mi
·
43 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 302
Toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
11
Turn right onto AZ 90
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South State Highway 90
12
Continue on AZ 90
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Huachuca Boulevard
13
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi
·
14 min
·
State Route 90
14
Continue on AZ 90
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Huachuca Boulevard
15
Continue on AZ 90
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
State Route 90
16
Turn left onto AZ 90
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 90 Bypass
17
Turn left onto AZ 90
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on AZ 90
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 90
19
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
20
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
10 mi
·
16 min
·
AZ 80; US 80 Hist
21
Enter roundabout onto AZ 80
518 ft
·
6 sec
·
AZ 80
22
Continue on AZ 80
23 mi
·
28 min
·
AZ 80
23
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 10th Street
24
Arrive at destination
East 10th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 229-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since the route spans over four and a half hours, timing your departure to avoid peak traffic in the Tucson area will help you maintain a steady pace. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the final stretch on AZ 80, as service options may be more spread out compared to the initial highway sections. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of flexibility; you can easily adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Prioritize a mid-route break to ensure you arrive in Douglas refreshed and ready for your destination.
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 114.5 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 2h 12m 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.5 miles or 2h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Douglas, 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 229 miles and 4h 33m.
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.
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 114.5 mi from Mesa, AZ · 2h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 114.5 miles from Mesa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Douglas, AZ
The final approach into Douglas, 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 Douglas, 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
$45.57 one way
$91.15 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $48.13 | $96.25 |
| premium | $5.59 | $50.37 | $100.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $50.88 | $101.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.04 | $10.99 |
| Efficient EV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.04 | $9.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.6 | 1 | $32.06 | $14.66 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Douglas, AZ
Afternoon in Douglas on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
MST
Current temp
44°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
15 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
4h 33m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Douglas, AZ covers 229 miles and takes about 4h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, AZ 80. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.5 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 $45.57 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 33m drive. You will face about 10 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 1 miles (AZ 87 / North Country Club Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Mesa, AZ to Douglas, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Sierra Vista along the way.
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