Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Late night in Phoenix on Wednesday
Local time
1:14 AM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Mescal, AZ
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
153.4 mi
247 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phoenix, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Mescal, AZ
Los Muertos Crew
Trip Overview
This 153.4-mile drive from Phoenix to Mescal, Arizona, will take you about 2 hours and 46 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it's a manageable journey through the Desert Southwest. You'll primarily navigate using the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and Tucson-Benson Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, this route offers a straightforward drive. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct trip within Arizona, keeping your travel budget in mind.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 153.4-mile journey. While only 13% of the route is on highways, you'll experience a mix of road types. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.6 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. This suggests a drive that requires attention to navigation and potentially slower speeds in sections as you transition between different local roads. The character of the drive will likely shift as you move from the Phoenix area towards Mescal.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 54.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South 1st Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 153.4 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 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (East Maricopa Freeway): 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.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 1st Avenue
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 1st Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
East Maricopa Freeway
Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 17 South, US 60 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 17 South, US 60 East
6
151.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 297
Toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 36.5 mi | 38m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 14 mi | 16m |
| North Freeway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| North Mescal Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| South 7th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East Lincoln Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Mescal, AZ.
1
Start on West Washington Street
322 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Washington Street
2
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
436 ft
·
9 sec
·
South 1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue
350 ft
·
14 sec
·
South 1st Avenue
4
Turn left onto West Madison Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Madison Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto South 1st Street
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
South 1st Street
6
Turn left onto East Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lincoln Street
7
Turn right onto South 7th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South 7th Street
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway
290 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Maricopa Freeway
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 17 South, US 60 East
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 17; US 60
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 10
36 mi
·
38 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 297
Toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road
16
Turn left onto J-6 Road
369 ft
·
15 sec
·
J-6 Road
17
Continue on North Mescal Road
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North Mescal Road
18
Arrive at destination
North Mescal Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 46-minute duration, this drive is easily completed in one day, offering flexibility for your departure time. Consider leaving Phoenix in the morning to maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, plan for a break around the halfway point or whenever you feel the need. The longest stretch without a major road change is 54.6 miles, so be sure to fuel up before you begin if you prefer not to stop en route. Keep an eye on local road signage, as this route features a higher percentage of non-highway driving.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 80 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.7 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mescal, 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 153.4 miles and 2h 46m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.7 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Mescal, AZ
The final approach into Mescal, 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 Mescal, 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
$30.56 one way
$61.12 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $32.34 | $64.68 |
| premium | $5.59 | $33.77 | $67.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.87 | $67.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46 | 0 | $16.11 | $7.36 |
| Efficient EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.42 | $6.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.48 | $9.82 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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
Mescal, AZ
Late night in Mescal on Wednesday
Local time
1:14 AM
MST
Current temp
80°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 46m 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 Mescal, AZ covers 153.4 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.7 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 $30.56 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 153.4 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 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (East Maricopa Freeway): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Phoenix, AZ to Mescal, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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