Origin
South Tucson, AZ
Late night in South Tucson on Wednesday
Local time
3:34 AM
MST
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Tucson, AZ to Mesa, AZ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
106.8 mi
172 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Tucson, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 106.8-mile drive from South Tucson, AZ to Mesa, AZ is a straightforward, one-day trip, estimated to take about 2 hours and 5 minutes. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with only about 10% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is $21. Considering the relatively short distance and local road focus, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion. The drive stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. It's a practical option for those looking for a direct connection between these two Arizona cities.
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
53.4 miles from South Tucson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for most of this 106.8-mile route, with only a modest 10% share of highway. The longest stretch without needing to turn is a solid 54.5 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, offering a chance to settle in. As you progress, you'll transition through various local roads like Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway and South Arizona Avenue, requiring your attention to navigation. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; rather, it's a more grounded journey through Arizona's communities.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 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 54.5 miles.
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. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near West 22nd Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 5m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (West 22nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 10 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West 22nd Street
Turn left onto West 22nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 10 / South Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / South Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
9.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
84.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
6
84.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
AZ 587
Turn left onto AZ 587
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from South Tucson, AZ to Mesa, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.
Gilbert
84.7 mi in
|
~1h 28m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.5 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 24.1 mi | 24m |
| South Arizona Avenue | 11 mi | 19m |
| AZ 587 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| South Freeway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| South Country Club Drive | 4 mi | 7m |
| West University Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| West 22nd Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Tucson, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on US 80 Hist
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 6th Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 22nd Street
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
West 22nd Street
3
Turn right onto South Freeway Road
363 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Freeway Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 10 West
5
Merge onto I 10
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
24 mi
·
24 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto AZ 587
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
AZ 587
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Continue on AZ 87
11 mi
·
19 min
·
South Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on AZ 87
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
South Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto West University Drive
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West University Drive
14
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 2 hours, this route offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart anytime that suits your schedule, as it's easily completed in a single day. Given the 'turn-heavy' nature, staying attentive to your GPS is key to a smooth journey. While there are no specific stops recommended in the data, factor in time for brief breaks if needed, especially during the longest 54.5-mile stretch on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The $21 fuel cost is minimal, so you should have no concerns about refueling along the way.
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 53.4 miles from South Tucson, AZ, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 80 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.4 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
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 South Tucson, 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 South Tucson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 106.8 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Tucson, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.4 mi from South Tucson, AZ · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 53.4 miles from South Tucson, 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
$21.28 one way
$42.55 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $22.52 | $45.03 |
| premium | $5.59 | $23.51 | $47.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.58 | $47.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32 | 0 | $11.21 | $5.13 |
| Efficient EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.34 | $4.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.7 | 0 | $14.95 | $6.84 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Late night in Mesa on Wednesday
Local time
3:34 AM
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
3 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 5m 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 South Tucson, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 106.8 miles and takes about 2h 5m 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, South Arizona Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.4 miles from South Tucson, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.28 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 straightforward 2h 5m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (West 22nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 10 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from South Tucson, AZ to Mesa, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.
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