Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Evening in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
6:33 PM
MST
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scottsdale, AZ to Mesa, AZ
Drive Time
17m
Distance
10.3 mi
17 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 17m
8 AM
0h 20m
10 AM
0h 18m
12 PM
0h 18m
3 PM
0h 19m
5 PM
0h 20m
8 PM
0h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scottsdale, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Mesa, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion within the Desert Southwest, the 10.3-mile trip from Scottsdale to Mesa is an incredibly efficient journey. Expect a transit time of approximately 17 minutes, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day outing. You will navigate via the Pima Freeway, West McKellips Road, and North Mesa Drive to complete the trek. Budgeting around $2 for fuel should comfortably cover this short distance. Because the trip is so brief, you certainly do not need to worry about overnight logistics. It is a straightforward, practical connection between two neighboring cities in Arizona.
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
5.2 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route functions primarily as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a long-haul interstate cruise. Only 23% of your journey is spent on the highway, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local surface streets. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 2.3-mile segment on the Pima Freeway, which offers a brief moment of higher-speed travel. As you transition off the freeway onto local roads, the pace shifts significantly, requiring more attention to intersections and turns. Be prepared for a distinct change in rhythm as you leave the freeway and head into the local grid.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pima Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 2.3 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Chaparral Road.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 10.3 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (East Chaparral Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (West McKellips Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Chaparral Road
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
3.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward McDowell Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49
Toward McDowell Road
6
6.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
West McKellips Road
Turn left onto West McKellips Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
8.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
North Mesa Drive
Turn right onto North Mesa Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
10.3 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
East University Drive
Turn left onto East University Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pima Freeway | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| West McKellips Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| North Mesa Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| East McDowell Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| North Alma School Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Chaparral Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East University Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pima Freeway
— 2.3 mi, about 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on this road
64 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
4
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 49
Toward McDowell Road
Use the slight right lane.
6
Turn left onto East McDowell Road
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East McDowell Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alma School Road
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto West McKellips Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West McKellips Road
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto North Mesa Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Mesa Drive
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto East University Drive
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
East University Drive
Use the left lane.
11
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 17-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire drive without needing any scheduled stops, though keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route requires your full attention. Fuel up before you leave if you want to keep your costs near the $2 estimate, as local gas prices can fluctuate. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the transition from the Pima Freeway onto West McKellips Road ahead of time. Staying alert for these turning points will help you navigate the local road segments with much greater ease.
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 5.2 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 2.3 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 10.3 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.2 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 14m
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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 10.3 miles and 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Scottsdale, 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 Pima Freeway for about 2.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.2 mi from Scottsdale, AZ · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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 10.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.2 miles from Scottsdale, 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
$2.05 one way
$4.10 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $2.16 | $4.33 |
| premium | $5.59 | $2.27 | $4.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.29 | $4.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.08 | $0.49 |
| Efficient EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.90 | $0.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.44 | $0.66 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
6:33 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
1 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
17m 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 10.3 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pima Freeway, West McKellips Road, North Mesa Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.2 miles from Scottsdale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.05 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 10.3 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (East Chaparral Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (West McKellips Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Scottsdale, AZ to Mesa, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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