Origin
Mesa, AZ
Morning in Mesa on Saturday
Local time
11:58 AM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mesa, AZ to Mohave Valley, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
253.8 mi
409 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Mohave Valley, AZ
Brent Singleton
Trip Overview
The drive from Mesa, AZ to Mohave Valley, AZ covers 253.8 miles and takes about 4h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Route 95, Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.56 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
126.9 miles from Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 105 mi | 1h 45m |
| Route 95 | 47.5 mi | 55m |
| Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway | 30.9 mi | 35m |
| Papago Freeway | 21 mi | 24m |
| Aqueduct Road | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| Mohave Valley Highway | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| North Central Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 105 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Mohave Valley, 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
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
105 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 10 Business
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 10 Business
Toward US 95, AZ 95: Parker, Yuma
11
Turn right onto I 10 Bus
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Riggles Road
12
Turn left onto I 10 Bus
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
13
Turn right onto AZ 95
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
North Central Boulevard
14
Continue on AZ 95
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto AZ 95
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
16
Continue on AZ 95
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
California Avenue
17
Continue on CA 62
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
CA 62
18
At end of road, turn left onto CA 62
16 mi
·
24 min
·
Aqueduct Road
19
Turn sharp right onto US 95
48 mi
·
55 min
·
Route 95
20
Take the exit onto US 95
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 95
21
Merge onto I 40; US 95
0.8 mi
·
51 sec
·
Needles Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
Toward J Street
23
Turn right onto J Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
J Street
24
At end of road, turn left onto Front Street
465 ft
·
14 sec
·
Front Street
25
Turn right onto North K Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North K Street
26
Continue on AZ 95
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Harbor Avenue
27
Continue on AZ 95
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Mohave Valley Highway
28
Turn right onto Hulet Avenue
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Hulet Avenue
29
At end of road, turn right onto CR 391; BIA 1
157 ft
·
8 sec
·
Mountain View Road
30
Turn right onto Winter Haven Drive
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Winter Haven Drive
31
Arrive at destination
Winter Haven Drive
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 126.9 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 56 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.9 miles or 2h 16m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mohave Valley, 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 253.8 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 105 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.9 miles from Mesa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 245.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
5
15.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 10 / Papago Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
245.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
|
Front Street
At end of road, turn left onto Front Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.56 one way
$101.12 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $53.51 | $107.02 |
| premium | $5.59 | $55.87 | $111.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.04 | $112.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.1 | 0 | $26.65 | $12.18 |
| Efficient EV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.21 | $10.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.5 | 1 | $35.53 | $16.24 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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
Mohave Valley, AZ
Morning in Mohave Valley on Saturday
Local time
11:58 AM
MST
Current temp
90°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
3 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 58m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive from Mesa, AZ to Mohave Valley, AZ covers 253.8 miles and takes about 4h 58m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 105 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 253.8 miles you will encounter 20 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: 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Mesa, AZ to Mohave Valley, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Yuma along the way.
Yuma
142.3 mi in
|
~2h 32m
|
via I 10 Business
About the Cities
Starting in Mesa, AZ
Full guide →Mesa, population 518,000 (2019), is in Maricopa County. It is Arizona's third-largest city, and is part of the Greater Phoenix urban complex.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 253.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mesa, AZ to Mohave Valley, AZ covers 253.8 miles and takes about 4h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Route 95, Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.9 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 $50.56 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 253.8 miles you will encounter 20 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: 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.
On the drive from Mesa, AZ to Mohave Valley, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Yuma along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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