Trip from Mesa, AZ to Spring Valley, AZ

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 37m

Distance

84.3 mi

136 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min

4 AM

1h 30m ★

6 AM

1h 38m

8 AM

1h 52m

10 AM

1h 43m

12 PM

1h 41m

3 PM

1h 43m

5 PM

1h 52m

8 PM

1h 33m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Mesa, AZ to Spring Valley, AZ covers 84.3 miles and takes about 1h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, Red Mountain Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.3 miles on Black Canyon Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.79 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.

Midpoint

42.1 miles from Mesa, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 84.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 37m highway drive covering 84.3 miles, with most of the trip on Black Canyon Freeway and Arizona Veterans Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.3 miles on Black Canyon Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Black Canyon Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Black Canyon Freeway and Arizona Veterans Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

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

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

8

18.8 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 143A-B Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff

8

19.1 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 17 North: Flagstaff

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 143A Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff

6

80.3 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in | AZ 69

Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69 toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Black Canyon Freeway	38.3 mi	41m
Arizona Veterans Highway	13.4 mi	13m
Red Mountain Freeway	10.9 mi	12m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway	8.9 mi	9m
AZ 69	3.4 mi	3m
Papago Freeway	2.5 mi	2m
East University Drive	2 mi	3m
North Alma School Road	1.6 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Black Canyon Freeway — 38.3 mi, about 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Spring 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

1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec

Exit 143A-B Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff Use the slight right lane.

10

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 143A Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

11

Merge onto I 17; US 60

38 mi · 41 min · Black Canyon Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

12

Continue on I 17

8.9 mi · 9 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

13

Continue on I 17

13 mi · 13 min · Arizona Veterans Highway

14

Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69

3.4 mi · 3 min · AZ 69

Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott

15

Turn left onto South Spring Lane

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Spring Lane

16

Turn left onto East Bob White Road

0.2 mi · 38 sec · East Bob White Road

17

Arrive at destination

East Bob White Road

Trip Plan

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 42.1 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.3 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 19 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 42.1 miles or 51m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spring 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Mesa, AZ

This is one driving day of about 84.3 miles and 1h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Mesa, AZ.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on Black Canyon Freeway for about 38.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 42.1 mi from Mesa, AZ · 51m into the drive

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Peoria, AZ

42 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

Phoenix, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peoria, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 42.1 miles from Mesa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Spring Valley, AZ

The final approach into Spring Valley, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

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

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...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour $10 near mile 81.4

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.79 one way

$33.59 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.36	$17.77	$35.55
premium	$5.59	$18.56	$37.11
diesel	$5.61	$18.61	$37.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	25.3	$8.85	$4.05
Efficient EV	21.1	$7.38	$3.37
EV Truck/SUV	33.7	$11.80	$5.40

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Mesa, AZ

Night in Mesa on Thursday

Local time

9:28 PM

MST

Current temp

93°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Spring Valley, AZ

Night in Spring Valley on Thursday

Local time

9:28 PM

MST

Current temp

74°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

19 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 37m 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 Spring Valley, AZ covers 84.3 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, Red Mountain Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 42.1 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 $16.79 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 84.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Mesa, AZ to Spring Valley, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Montezuma Castle National Monument.

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