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Trip from Chandler, AZ to First Mesa, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 21m
Distance
244.2 mi
393 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 8m
★
6 AM
5h 21m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 31m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 47m
8 PM
5h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chandler, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Chandler, AZ to First Mesa, AZ is 244.2 miles and takes about 5h 21m via Beeline Highway, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, offering a straightforward drive across Arizona. With a single day recommended, it's a good option if you're looking for a manageable excursion without needing an overnight stay. Plan for a route that primarily uses surface roads, making it a relaxed pace for most drivers.
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
122.1 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Beeline Highway | 68.4 mi | 1h 20m |
| Winslow–Kayenta Highway | 56.8 mi | 1h 6m |
| Payson-Winslow Highway | 37.4 mi | 55m |
| State Highway 87 | 27.1 mi | 39m |
| State Route 87 | 17.8 mi | 25m |
| Arizona State Highway 264 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| South Country Club Drive | 6.8 mi | 12m |
| North Beeline Highway | 6.4 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Beeline Highway
— 68.4 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and First Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on East Chandler Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Chandler Boulevard
2
Continue on East Chandler Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Chandler Boulevard
3
Turn right onto AZ 87
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North Arizona Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on AZ 87
6.8 mi
·
12 min
·
South Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on AZ 87
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North Beeline Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Continue on AZ 87
68 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Beeline Highway
8
Enter roundabout onto AZ 87; AZ 260
132 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Beeline Highway
9
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Beeline Highway
10
Enter roundabout onto AZ 87; AZ 260
114 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Beeline Highway
11
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Beeline Highway
12
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Arizona State Highway 87
13
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
14
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Arizona State Highway 87
15
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
16
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
North AZ Highway 87
17
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
18
Continue on AZ 87
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Route 87
19
Continue on AZ 87
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Payson–Winslow Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on AZ 87
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 87
21
Continue on AZ 87
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
State Route 87
22
Continue on AZ 87
344 ft
·
5 sec
·
Starlight Drive
23
Continue on AZ 87
19 mi
·
28 min
·
State Highway 87
24
Continue on SR 87
18 mi
·
27 min
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
25
Turn right onto I 40 Bus; AZ 87; US 66 Hist
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 2nd Street
26
Continue on AZ 87; US 66 Hist
40 mi
·
46 min
·
Winslow–Kayenta Highway
27
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
AZ 87
28
Continue on AZ 87
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Winslow–Kayenta Highway
29
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 264
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Arizona State Highway 264
30
Turn left
247 ft
·
14 sec
31
At end of road, turn left
286 ft
·
13 sec
32
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 21m estimated drive time, leaving Chandler in the morning should get you to First Mesa with plenty of daylight remaining. While there's only one recommended stop, it's a good idea to break up the 68.4-mile stretch on the Beeline Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the $49 budget is an estimate and it's always wise to top off before heading into more remote areas. Because this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; if you find a spot you enjoy, feel free to linger a bit longer.
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 122.1 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.4 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 54 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.1 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near First Mesa, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chandler, 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 Chandler, AZ
This is one driving day of about 244.2 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Chandler, 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 Beeline Highway for about 68.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122.1 miles from Chandler, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Mazatzal Rest Area (Closed)
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 244 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue
Turn right onto AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
85.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway
Enter roundabout onto AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
85.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway
Enter roundabout onto AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
236.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 10m in
|
AZ 264 / Arizona State Highway 264
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 264 / Arizona State Highway 264
Navigation decision point
5
244 mi into trip
|
~5h 20m in
At end of road, turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.27 one way
$86.55 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $46.34 | $92.68 |
| premium | $5.04 | $48.47 | $96.95 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $46.11 | $92.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.3 | 0 | $25.64 | $11.72 |
| Efficient EV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.37 | $9.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.7 | 1 | $34.19 | $15.63 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Chandler, AZ
Night in Chandler on Saturday
Local time
11:59 PM
MST
Current temp
78°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 5 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
Destination
First Mesa, AZ
Night in First Mesa on Saturday
Local time
11:59 PM
MST
Current temp
62°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
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 21m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Tonto National Monument
National Monument
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
$10
near mile 42.1
Caution: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Currently in Place
Caution: Water is Required
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$10
near mile 101.1
View on nps.gov
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 25% of the route on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 68.4 miles on the Beeline Highway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a more rural cruising feel for much of the trip, with fewer exits and a generally open road. This means less time merging and more time enjoying the scenery at a steady pace.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.4 mi on Beeline Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 0.3 miles in near AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 21m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 85.2 miles (AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 85.8 miles (AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,021 ft
1,214 ft
Total Climb
7,473 ft
Total Descent
2,909 ft
Highest Point
7,021 ft
~122.1 mi in
Elevation Range
5,807 ft
Notable High Points
7,021 ft at ~122.1 miles
+339 ft prominence
5,831 ft at ~209.3 miles
+340 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Chandler, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1912
Chandler is a city in Arizona, and a medium-sized suburb of Phoenix with over 240,000 residents. It is a delightful place to visit.
Top landmarks
- • McCullough-Price House — 1938 pueblo revival home in Chandler, Arizona
- • San Marcos Hotel — Historic place in Chandler, Ariona
Arriving in First Mesa, AZ
Full guide →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 5h 21m. Total distance: 244.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (25%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.4 miles on Beeline Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 85.2 miles (AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 85.8 miles (AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Tonto National Monument, Montezuma Castle National Monument and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at First Mesa, AZ before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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