Origin
Star Valley, AZ
Morning in Star Valley on Saturday
Local time
11:43 AM
MST
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Star Valley, AZ to Mesa, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
80.7 mi
130 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Star Valley, AZ
Krishna Mantripragada
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Star Valley, AZ to Mesa, AZ is 80.7 miles and takes about 1h 40m via South Beeline Highway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward, single-day journey. Expect a practical, turn-heavy local drive for the most part, making it ideal for those who prefer a less highway-centric experience. With minimal driving time and a low fuel cost, this trip is a convenient option for connecting these two Arizona locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.4 miles from Star Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Beeline Highway | 73.1 mi | 1h 26m |
| Payson-Show Low Highway | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| North Mesa Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| West McKellips Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Country Club Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East University Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South Beeline Highway
— 73.1 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Star Valley, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 260
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Payson-Show Low Highway
2
Turn left onto AZ 87
73 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on AZ 87
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Country Club Drive
4
Turn left onto West McKellips Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West McKellips Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto North Mesa Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Mesa Drive
6
Turn left onto East University Drive
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
East University Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1h 40m duration and 80.7-mile distance, this trip offers considerable flexibility. You can depart anytime without needing to split the drive, making it perfect for a spontaneous outing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $16 estimated fuel cost is based on the entire journey, and it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially on local drives where stops might be less frequent. Planning for a few short breaks along the 73.1-mile stretch on South Beeline Highway can make the drive more comfortable.
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 40.4 miles from Star Valley, AZ, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 18 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.4 miles or 50m 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 23m
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 Star Valley, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Star Valley, AZ
This is one driving day of about 80.7 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Star Valley, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South Beeline Highway for about 73.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.4 miles from Star Valley, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
4 of 44 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 80.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway
Turn left onto AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
77.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
West McKellips Road
Turn left onto West McKellips Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
78.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
North Mesa Drive
Turn right onto North Mesa Drive
Navigation decision point
6
80.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
East University Drive
Turn left onto East University Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.08 one way
$32.15 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $17.01 | $34.03 |
| premium | $5.59 | $17.76 | $35.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.82 | $35.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.47 | $3.87 |
| Efficient EV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.06 | $3.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.3 | 0 | $11.30 | $5.16 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Morning in Mesa on Saturday
Local time
11:43 AM
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
52 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
1h 40m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a turn-heavy local drive, featuring no highway percentage, meaning you'll be navigating surface streets and local roads for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 73.1 miles on the South Beeline Highway. While not a high-speed interstate cruise, the drive is generally manageable. Be prepared for frequent turns and transitions as you make your way from Star Valley to Mesa.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Beeline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 73.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
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 3.8 miles in near AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Star Valley, AZ to Mesa, AZ is easy. At 1h 40m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles (AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 77.7 miles (West McKellips Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.7 miles (North Mesa Drive): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Arriving in Mesa, AZ
Full guide →Mesa, population 518,000 (2019), is in Maricopa County. It is Arizona's third-largest city, and is part of the Greater Phoenix urban complex.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 80.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Star Valley, AZ to Mesa, AZ covers 80.7 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Beeline Highway, Payson-Show Low Highway, North Mesa Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.4 miles from Star Valley, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.08 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.
The drive from Star Valley, AZ to Mesa, AZ is easy. At 1h 40m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles (AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 77.7 miles (West McKellips Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.7 miles (North Mesa Drive): Navigation decision point.
The route from Star Valley, AZ to Mesa, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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