Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
49m
Distance
32 mi
51 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
San Tan Valley, AZ
Mark Direen
The drive from Mesa, AZ to San Tan Valley, AZ covers 32 miles and takes about 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Superstition Freeway, North Ironwood Road, Santan Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 9.3 miles on Superstition Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.37 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 32 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
The drive from Mesa, AZ to San Tan Valley, AZ covers 32 miles and takes about 49m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Mesa Drive.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 32 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 49m.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto North Mesa Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left toward US 60 East: Globe
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward AZ Loop 202 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward AZ 24 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Mesa, AZ to San Tan Valley, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Az Loop 202 South along the way.
Az Loop 202 South
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Superstition Freeway | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| North Ironwood Road | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Santan Freeway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Gateway Freeway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| South Mesa Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| East Combs Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Gantzel Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Schnepf Road | 2 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and San Tan Valley, AZ.
Start on East University Drive
Turn left onto North Mesa Drive
Continue on South Mesa Drive
Turn left
Merge onto US 60
Take the exit
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
Take the exit
Continue on AZ 24
Continue on this road
Continue on this road
Continue on AZ 24
Continue on this road
Continue on this road
Continue on AZ 24
Continue on this road
Continue on this road
Continue on AZ 24
Continue on AZ 24
Turn right onto North Ironwood Road
Continue on North Gantzel Road
Turn left onto East Combs Road
Turn right onto North Schnepf Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16 mi from Mesa, AZ · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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.
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 16 miles from Mesa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into San Tan Valley, AZ if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.37 one way
$12.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $6.75 | $13.49 |
| premium | $5.59 | $7.04 | $14.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.07 | $14.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.36 | $1.54 |
| Efficient EV | 8 | 0 | $2.80 | $1.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.48 | $2.05 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Mesa on Friday
Local time
1:01 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in San Tan Valley on Friday
Local time
1:01 PM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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