Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Evening in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
5:01 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Mesa, AZ
Drive Time
27m
Distance
19.2 mi
31 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 25m
★
6 AM
0h 28m
8 AM
0h 33m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 29m
3 PM
0h 30m
5 PM
0h 32m
8 PM
0h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Mesa, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Phoenix to Mesa, you are looking at a quick 19.2-mile trek through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect the journey to take roughly 25 minutes, making it an effortless day trip that requires no overnight planning. You will navigate via North 7th Avenue and I-10 East, eventually passing through the Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel. With a modest fuel budget of just $4, this route is as economical as it is convenient. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short visit, this transit across the region is straightforward and efficient.
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
9.6 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a long-distance highway cruise. Because the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating local streets and urban corridors. The longest stretch of the trip is 0 miles on North 7th Avenue, meaning you should anticipate frequent turns and shifting traffic patterns. This short commute lacks the monotonous rhythm of a major interstate, requiring more active attention from the driver. It is a practical, functional road experience that connects two major points within the same desert region.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Red Mountain Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Red Mountain Freeway and West University Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near North 7th Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 19.2 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North 7th Avenue
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
3.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
6
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
7
15.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward Alma School Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward Alma School Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Red Mountain Freeway | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| West University Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Alma School Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Papago Freeway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| North 7th Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East University Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Red Mountain Freeway
— 11.7 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on West Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
4
Merge onto I 10
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
5
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 11
Toward Alma School Road
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Alma School Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto West University Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West University Drive
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 25-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for rest stops, as the entire journey is completed in one go. Keep in mind that the route relies on local roads, so be prepared for urban traffic density depending on the time of day. Given the $4 fuel estimate, you can easily top off your tank before leaving Phoenix to avoid any mid-trip errands. Your best bet is to check real-time traffic maps before pulling out of your driveway to ensure the local streets are clear for your arrival in Mesa.
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 9.6 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.7 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 19.2 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.6 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mesa, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ
This is one driving day of about 19.2 miles and 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Phoenix, 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 Red Mountain Freeway for about 11.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.6 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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 19.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.6 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Mesa, AZ
The final approach into Mesa, 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 Mesa, 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
$3.82 one way
$7.64 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $4.04 | $8.07 |
| premium | $5.59 | $4.22 | $8.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.27 | $8.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.02 | $0.92 |
| Efficient EV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.68 | $0.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.69 | $1.23 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Mesa, AZ
Evening in Mesa on Sunday
Local time
5:01 PM
MST
Current temp
59°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
27m 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 Phoenix, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 19.2 miles and takes about 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Red Mountain Freeway, West University Drive, North Alma School Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.6 miles from Phoenix, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.82 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 10 significant decision points across 19.2 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Phoenix, AZ to Mesa, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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