Origin
Mesa, AZ
Afternoon in Mesa on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mesa, AZ to Florence, AZ
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
50.4 mi
81 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesa, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Florence, AZ
Efrem Efre
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick getaway in the Desert Southwest, the 50.4-mile trip from Mesa to Florence is an efficient excursion. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 5 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a stress-free day trip. You will primarily utilize the Superstition Freeway, US 80 Hist, and the Phoenix–Globe Highway to complete your journey. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $10, it is an affordable way to transition between these two Arizona desert communities. Because the travel time is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you maximum flexibility for your arrival and departure times.
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
25.2 miles from Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 50.4-mile route is heavily highway-focused, with 69% of your time spent navigating major thoroughfares. You will start with an 18.5-mile stretch on the Superstition Freeway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of your drive. As you transition from the freeway onto the Phoenix–Globe Highway and US 80 Hist, the character of the road shifts from high-speed arterial transit to more standard highway travel. The drive maintains a consistent pace throughout the hour-long commute, providing a straightforward experience for any driver. Expect a steady, functional journey that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding terrain.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Superstition Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 18.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Superstition Freeway and US 80 Hist. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Mesa Drive.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.4 miles you will encounter 7 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: near the start (North Mesa Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Mesa Drive
Turn left onto North Mesa Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward US 60 East: Globe
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 60 East: Globe
5
3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
34.2 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
US 80 Hist
Keep slight right at fork onto US 80 Hist toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson
6
50 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist / East Butte Avenue
Turn right onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist / East Butte Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Mesa, AZ to Florence, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tucson along the way.
Tucson
33.7 mi in
|
~42m
|
via US 80 Hist
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Superstition Freeway | 18.5 mi | 21m |
| US 80 Hist | 16.2 mi | 21m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| South Mesa Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Mesa Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Butte Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East University Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Superstition Freeway
— 18.5 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Florence, AZ.
1
Start on East University Drive
73 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Drive
2
Turn left onto North Mesa Drive
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
North Mesa Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on South Mesa Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Mesa Drive
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward US 60 East: Globe
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 60
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 80 Hist
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 80 Hist
Toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 80 Hist
16 mi
·
20 min
·
US 80 Hist
Toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson
Use the none lane.
9
Turn right onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Butte Avenue
Use the none lane.
10
Turn right onto North Main Street
42 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Main Street
Use the right lane.
11
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this drive covers just over 50 miles, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure schedule. You can easily complete the entire trip without needing to plan for mid-route stops, as the 1 hour and 5 minute duration is manageable in a single push. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $10, so topping off your tank in Mesa before you head out is a simple way to ensure you reach Florence without any stops. Because this is a highway-heavy route, try to avoid peak rush hour traffic on the Superstition Freeway to keep your travel time consistent. Use the brevity of the trip to your benefit by arriving in Florence with plenty of daylight left for your plans.
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 25.2 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.5 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 50.4 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25.2 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florence, 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 50.4 miles and 1h 5m.
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 Superstition Freeway for about 18.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.2 mi from Mesa, AZ · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 50.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.2 miles from Mesa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Florence, AZ
The final approach into Florence, 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 Florence, 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
$10.03 one way
$20.06 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $10.59 | $21.18 |
| premium | $5.59 | $11.09 | $22.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.20 | $22.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.29 | $2.42 |
| Efficient EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.41 | $2.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.06 | $3.23 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Florence, AZ
Afternoon in Florence on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
MST
Current temp
55°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
4 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
1h 5m 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 Florence, AZ covers 50.4 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Superstition Freeway, US 80 Hist, Phoenix–Globe Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.2 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 $10.03 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.4 miles you will encounter 7 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: near the start (North Mesa Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Mesa, AZ to Florence, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tucson along the way.
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