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 Tolleson, AZ
Drive Time
39m
Distance
29.1 mi
47 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 36m
★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 46m
10 AM
0h 41m
12 PM
0h 41m
3 PM
0h 42m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesa, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Tolleson, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Spanning 29.1 miles across the Desert Southwest, this direct route from Mesa to Tolleson typically takes about 39 minutes to complete. Because the trip is short, you can easily handle it as a straightforward day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Red Mountain Freeway, the Papago Freeway, and segments of East University Drive. With a fuel cost estimate of roughly $6, it is an affordable transit option between these two Arizona cities. Whether you are commuting or heading across the valley, the drive is designed for efficiency rather than leisure. Expect a standard urban highway experience that connects two distinct points within the same desert region.
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
14.5 miles from Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 76% of your time spent on high-speed transit corridors. You will find yourself navigating a mix of fast-paced freeway stretches and local arterial roads as you transition between cities. The longest uninterrupted portion of the drive occurs on the Papago Freeway, where you can settle in for an 11.3-mile stretch. While the drive lacks technical turns or winding backroads, the transition between the Red Mountain Freeway and the Papago Freeway defines the core experience. Be prepared for a consistent, functional drive that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Papago Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Papago Freeway and Red Mountain Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near North Alma School Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 29.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (North Alma School Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
North Alma School Road
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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
7
27.6 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward 91st Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 134
Toward 91st Avenue
6
28.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
West Van Buren Street
Turn right onto West Van Buren Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Papago Freeway | 11.3 mi | 13m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| East University Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Alma School Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North 91st Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Van Buren Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North 92nd Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Papago Freeway
— 11.3 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Tolleson, AZ.
1
Start on East University Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East University Drive
Use the none lane.
2
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Alma School Road
Use the none lane.
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 none lane.
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 none lane.
7
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
8
Continue on I 10
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 134
Toward 91st Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto North 91st Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North 91st Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto West Van Buren Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
West Van Buren Street
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto North 92nd Drive
176 ft
·
8 sec
·
North 92nd Drive
13
Turn right
168 ft
·
12 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 39-minute journey, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the entire route is manageable in one go. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on the Papago Freeway can fluctuate, so checking live updates before you depart is a smart move. Because the fuel budget is quite low at $6, you should have no trouble making the trip on a single tank. My best advice for this specific route is to time your departure to avoid peak rush hour traffic, as the freeway-heavy nature of the drive means congestion can significantly impact your travel time.
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 14.5 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.3 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 29.1 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.5 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tolleson, 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 29.1 miles and 39m.
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 Papago Freeway for about 11.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.5 mi from Mesa, AZ · 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 29.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.5 miles from Mesa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tolleson, AZ
The final approach into Tolleson, 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 Tolleson, 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
$5.79 one way
$11.58 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $6.12 | $12.23 |
| premium | $5.59 | $6.40 | $12.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.47 | $12.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.06 | $1.40 |
| Efficient EV | 7.3 | 0 | $2.55 | $1.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.07 | $1.86 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Tolleson, AZ
Afternoon in Tolleson on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
MST
Current temp
57°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
2 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
39m 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 Tolleson, AZ covers 29.1 miles and takes about 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Papago Freeway, Red Mountain Freeway, East University Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.5 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 $5.79 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 29.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (North Alma School Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mesa, AZ to Tolleson, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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