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Trip from Mesa, AZ to LeChee, AZ

Drive Time

3h 51m

Distance

168.6 mi

271 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 38m ★
6 AM
3h 51m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 0m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Mesa, AZ, AZ

Mesa, AZ

Zsolt Pujsz

Downtown LeChee, AZ, AZ

LeChee, AZ

mr. Yin

Trip Overview

The drive from Mesa, AZ to LeChee, AZ covers 168.6 miles and takes about 3h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Beeline Highway, Payson-Winslow Highway, State Highway 87 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 68.4 miles on Beeline Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.55 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

84.3 miles from Mesa, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 51m drive with frequent turns across 168.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Beeline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 68.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Mesa Drive.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Mesa, AZ to LeChee, AZ is easy. At 3h 51m with 29% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Mesa Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (East McKellips Road): Navigation decision point; at 77.9 miles (AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Mesa Drive

Turn right onto North Mesa Drive

Navigation decision point

4
2 mi into trip | ~3m in | East McKellips Road

Turn left onto East McKellips Road

Navigation decision point

4
77.9 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in | AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway

Enter roundabout onto AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
78.5 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway

Enter roundabout onto AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
165.3 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in | Central Street

Turn sharp left onto Central Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Beeline Highway 68.4 mi 1h 20m
Payson-Winslow Highway 37.2 mi 55m
State Highway 87 27.1 mi 39m
State Route 87 17.8 mi 25m
North Beeline Highway 6.4 mi 9m
Arizona State Highway 87 4 mi 5m
Cooper Town Road 2.2 mi 5m
North Mesa Drive 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Beeline Highway — 68.4 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and LeChee, AZ.

1

Start on East University Drive

72 ft · 6 sec · East University Drive
2

Turn right onto North Mesa Drive

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Mesa Drive
3

Turn left onto East McKellips Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · East McKellips Road
4

Turn right onto North Country Club Drive

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Country Club Drive
5

Continue on North Beeline Highway

4.5 mi · 5 min · North Beeline Highway
6

Continue on Beeline Highway

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Beeline Highway
7

Continue on North Beeline Highway

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Beeline Highway
8

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Payson-Winslow Highway

131 ft · 3 sec · Payson-Winslow Highway
9

Exit the rotary onto North Beeline Highway

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Beeline Highway
10

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Payson-Winslow Highway

115 ft · 2 sec · Payson-Winslow Highway
11

Exit the rotary onto North Beeline Highway

0.1 mi · 11 sec · North Beeline Highway
12

Continue on Arizona State Highway 87

2.6 mi · 3 min · Arizona State Highway 87
13

Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway

11 mi · 15 min · Payson-Winslow Highway
14

Continue on Arizona State Highway 87

1.4 mi · 2 min · Arizona State Highway 87
15

Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway

0.9 mi · 1 min · Payson-Winslow Highway
16

Continue on North AZ Highway 87

0.4 mi · 55 sec · North AZ Highway 87
17

Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway

7.5 mi · 11 min · Payson-Winslow Highway
18

Continue on State Route 87

12 mi · 16 min · State Route 87
19

Continue on Payson–Winslow Highway

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Payson–Winslow Highway
20

Continue on State Highway 87

8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 87
21

Continue on State Route 87

6.0 mi · 8 min · State Route 87
22

Continue on Starlight Drive

344 ft · 6 sec · Starlight Drive
23

Continue on State Highway 87

19 mi · 28 min · State Highway 87
24

Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway

18 mi · 26 min · Payson-Winslow Highway
25

Turn sharp left onto Central Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · Central Street
26

Continue on Cooper Town Road

2.1 mi · 5 min · Cooper Town Road
27

Continue on Cooper Town Road

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Cooper Town Road
28

Arrive at your 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 84.3 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.4 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 84.3 miles or 1h 44m 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 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near LeChee, 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 168.6 miles and 3h 51m.

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 Beeline Highway for about 68.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.3 mi from Mesa, AZ · 1h 44m into the drive

Downtown Scottsdale, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Scottsdale, AZ

84 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

Scottsdale, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flagstaff, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.3 miles from Mesa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.4 miles.

Arriving in LeChee, AZ

The final approach into LeChee, 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 LeChee, AZ.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle National Monument

National Monument

Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...

22 mi from route ~56 min detour $10 near mile 98.8
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
View on nps.gov
Tonto National Monument

Tonto National Monument

National Monument

Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour $10 near mile 29.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.55 one way

$67.11 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $35.43 $70.87
premium $5.59 $37.09 $74.17
diesel $5.64 $37.46 $74.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.6 0 $17.70 $8.09
Efficient EV 42.2 0 $14.75 $6.74
EV Truck/SUV 67.4 0 $23.60 $10.79

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Mesa, AZ

Late night in Mesa on Monday

Local time

2:06 AM

MST

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

LeChee, AZ

Late night in LeChee on Monday

Local time

2:06 AM

MST

Current temp

36°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

23 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 51m 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 LeChee, AZ covers 168.6 miles and takes about 3h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Beeline Highway, Payson-Winslow Highway, State Highway 87. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.3 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 $33.55 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.
The drive from Mesa, AZ to LeChee, AZ is easy. At 3h 51m with 29% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Mesa Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (East McKellips Road): Navigation decision point; at 77.9 miles (AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Mesa, AZ to LeChee, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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