This 159.6-mile journey from Show Low, AZ, to Mesa, AZ, is a solid option for a single-day road trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of local roads and highways, with about 14% of the drive on major highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $32, making it a budget-friendly excursion within the Desert Southwest. The overall feel of the route is a turn-heavy local drive, so plan for a dynamic experience rather than a straightforward cruise. This route stays within Arizona (AZ), connecting two points in the familiar Desert Southwest region.
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
79.8 miles from Show Low, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 159.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 159.6-mile route, with only 14% of the journey on major highways like the Superstition Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.5 miles along the Globe-Show Low Highway, offering a significant period of consistent driving. As you transition from the Globe-Show Low Highway to the Phoenix–Globe Highway and finally the Superstition Freeway, the road's character will evolve, likely moving from more winding local sections to faster-paced highway driving as you approach Mesa.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Globe-Show Low Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 83.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 85.8 miles in near US 60 / East Ash Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Show Low, AZ to Mesa, AZ is easy. At 3h 21m with 14% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 85.8 miles (US 60 / East Ash Street): Navigation decision point; at 87.3 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 87.3 miles (North Broad Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
85.8 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|US 60 / East Ash Street
Turn right onto US 60 / East Ash Street
Navigation decision point
4
87.3 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|East Oak Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Navigation decision point
4
87.3 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|North Broad Street
Turn right onto North Broad Street
Navigation decision point
7
156.6 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward Mesa Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 180
Toward Mesa Drive
Step-by-step road directions between Show Low, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260
2.3 mi·4 min·East Deuce of Clubs
2
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·Globe-Show Low Highway
3
Turn right onto US 60
1.1 mi·2 min·East Ash Street
4
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Hill Street
5
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·11 sec·East Oak Street
6
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·North Broad Street
7
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
8
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
9
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·West Live Oak Street
10
Continue on US 60
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
19 mi·21 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 180Toward Mesa DriveUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto South Mesa Drive
2.0 mi·3 min·South Mesa Drive
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on North Mesa Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·North Mesa Drive
15
Turn right onto East University Drive
73 ft·1 sec·East University Drive
16
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 21-minute duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 83.5-mile stretch on the Globe-Show Low Highway, and plan your refueling accordingly to stay within the estimated $32 fuel cost. The turn-heavy nature of this drive suggests paying close attention to navigation, particularly when transitioning between the Globe-Show Low Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Superstition Freeway.
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 79.8 miles from Show Low, AZ, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.8 miles or 1h 33m 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 44m
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 Show Low, 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 Show Low, AZ
This is one driving day of about 159.6 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Show Low, 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 Globe-Show Low Highway for about 83.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.8 mi from Show Low, AZ
· 1h 33m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 126.6
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.79 one way
$63.59 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$33.65
$67.30
premium
$5.59
$35.13
$70.26
diesel
$5.61
$35.24
$70.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.9
0
$16.76
$7.66
Efficient EV
39.9
0
$13.96
$6.38
EV Truck/SUV
63.8
0
$22.34
$10.21
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Show Low, AZ
Afternoon
in Show Low on Friday
Local time
2:55 PM
MST
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mesa, AZ
Afternoon
in Mesa on Friday
Local time
2:55 PM
MST
Current temp
93°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
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
3h 21m 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 Show Low, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 159.6 miles and takes about 3h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Globe-Show Low Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, Superstition Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.8 miles from Show Low, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.79 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Show Low, AZ to Mesa, AZ is easy. At 3h 21m with 14% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 85.8 miles (US 60 / East Ash Street): Navigation decision point; at 87.3 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 87.3 miles (North Broad Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Show Low, AZ to Mesa, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
