Origin
Pinon, AZ
Afternoon in Pinon on Sunday
Local time
4:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pinon, AZ to Mesa, AZ
Drive Time
5h 22m
Distance
300 mi
483 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 9m
★
6 AM
5h 22m
8 AM
5h 49m
10 AM
5h 32m
12 PM
5h 29m
3 PM
5h 33m
5 PM
5h 48m
8 PM
5h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pinon, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Mesa, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Trip Overview
Spanning 300 miles across the Arizona Desert Southwest, this journey from Pinon to Mesa takes approximately 5 hours and 22 minutes of drive time. Because the route relies entirely on local roads like Route 8030, Route 4, and Route 8031 rather than major interstates, it is best suited for a single, focused day of travel. You should budget about $58 for fuel to complete the trip. While the transit is manageable in one go, the turn-heavy nature of the roads means you will need to stay alert throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trip that connects two distinct parts of the state, perfect for those who prefer local backroads over high-speed highway traffic.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
150 miles from Pinon, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by its turn-heavy local profile, as the route contains zero percent highway travel. You will navigate a series of technical segments rather than long, monotonous interstate stretches, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. Because there is no single long stretch on Route 8030, you can expect the road to shift frequently as you transition between the three main routes. The experience is intimate and winding, contrasting sharply with standard desert highway driving. Prepare for a hands-on experience where the focus remains on navigating the local road network rather than cruising at high speeds.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Route 8030 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 22m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Pinon, AZ to Mesa, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Route 8030 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Route 4 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Route 8031 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Route 8029 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 264 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Winslow–Kayenta Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| AZ 87 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Route 8030
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pinon, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on Navajo Route 8030
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Navajo Route 8030
2
Turn right onto Navajo Route 4
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Navajo Route 4
3
Continue straight
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
4
Turn straight onto Navajo Route 8031
15 mi
·
36 min
·
Navajo Route 8031
5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Navajo Route 8029
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Navajo Route 8029
6
Continue on Hopi Route 4
8.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Hopi Route 4
7
Continue straight
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
8
Continue straight
5.9 mi
·
8 min
9
Turn left onto Arizona State Highway 264
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Arizona State Highway 264
10
Turn right onto Winslow–Kayenta Highway
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Winslow–Kayenta Highway
11
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
AZ 87
12
Continue on Winslow–Kayenta Highway
40 mi
·
46 min
·
Winslow–Kayenta Highway
13
Continue on East 3rd Street
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 3rd Street
14
Turn left onto North Williamson Avenue
367 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Williamson Avenue
15
Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway
18 mi
·
27 min
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
16
Continue on State Highway 87
19 mi
·
28 min
·
State Highway 87
17
Continue on Starlight Drive
344 ft
·
6 sec
·
Starlight Drive
18
Continue on State Route 87
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
State Route 87
19
Continue on State Highway 87
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 87
20
Continue on Payson–Winslow Highway
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Payson–Winslow Highway
21
Continue on State Route 87
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Route 87
22
Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
23
Continue on North AZ Highway 87
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
North AZ Highway 87
24
Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
25
Continue on Arizona State Highway 87
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Arizona State Highway 87
26
Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
27
Continue on Arizona State Highway 87
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Arizona State Highway 87
28
Continue on North Beeline Highway
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Beeline Highway
29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Payson-Winslow Highway
121 ft
·
2 sec
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
30
Exit the rotary onto North Beeline Highway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Beeline Highway
31
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Payson-Winslow Highway
148 ft
·
3 sec
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
32
Exit the rotary onto North Beeline Highway
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Beeline Highway
33
Continue on South Beeline Highway
73 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
South Beeline Highway
34
Continue on North Country Club Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Country Club Drive
35
Turn left onto West McKellips Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West McKellips Road
36
Turn right onto North Mesa Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Mesa Drive
37
Turn left onto East University Drive
72 ft
·
2 sec
·
East University Drive
38
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 22-minute duration, aiming for an early morning departure will help you clear the technical sections while you are fresh. With only one recommended stop planned, try to time your break to coincide with a refueling point to keep your $58 fuel budget on track. Since the entire journey consists of local roads without any highway relief, adjust your speed to account for the frequent turns and changing road conditions. Pay close attention to your navigation when switching between Route 8030, Route 4, and Route 8031, as these local connections require more focus than typical freeway exits. Taking advantage of the flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to set your own pace without the pressure of a strict highway schedule.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 150 miles from Pinon, AZ, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 24m
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 Pinon, 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 Pinon, AZ
This is one driving day of about 300 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pinon, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 150 mi from Pinon, AZ · 2h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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 150 miles from Pinon, 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
$59.70 one way
$119.41 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
105 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $63.05 | $126.09 |
| premium | $5.59 | $65.99 | $131.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $66.65 | $133.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90 | 1 | $31.50 | $14.40 |
| Efficient EV | 75 | 0 | $26.25 | $12.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120 | 1 | $42.00 | $19.20 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Afternoon in Mesa on Sunday
Local time
3:32 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
25 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
5h 22m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Pinon, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 300 miles and takes about 5h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Route 8030, Route 4, Route 8031. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 150 miles from Pinon, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.70 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 22m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Pinon, AZ to Mesa, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Pinon, AZ to Mesa, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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