First Mesa, AZ to Peoria, AZ is 267.5 miles and takes about 4h 49m via Arizona Veterans Highway, Purple Heart Trail, and Winslow–Kayenta Highway, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, offering a straightforward drive across Arizona. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a solid option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points. Expect a route that primarily utilizes surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate cruise.
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
133.7 miles from First Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between First Mesa, AZ and Peoria, AZ.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi·47 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left
286 ft·13 sec
3
Turn right
247 ft·11 sec
4
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 264
7.7 mi·9 min·Arizona State Highway 264
5
Turn left onto AZ 87
17 mi·19 min·Winslow–Kayenta Highway
6
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi·4 min·AZ 87
7
Continue on AZ 87
39 mi·44 min·Winslow–Kayenta Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
9
Merge onto I 40; US 180
61 mi·1 hr 2 min·Purple Heart Trail
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
12
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
13
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 17
10 mi·11 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 214CToward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop EastUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop WestUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
10 mi·12 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road, SurpriseUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on North 91st Avenue
0.2 mi·21 sec·North 91st Avenue
22
Turn left onto US 60
1.3 mi·2 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto North 83rd Avenue
229 ft·37 sec·North 83rd Avenue
24
Continue on North 83rd Avenue
77 ft·2 sec·North 83rd Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
North 83rd Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 49m estimated drive time, departing in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Peoria. While the route is manageable in a single day, there's only one recommended stop, so consider pacing yourself and taking brief breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading onto the 93-mile stretch of Arizona Veterans Highway. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility if you decide to linger a bit longer at your departure point or make an unscheduled stop along the way.
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 133.7 miles from First Mesa, AZ, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.7 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Peoria, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving First Mesa, 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 First Mesa, AZ
This is one driving day of about 267.5 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from First Mesa, 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 93 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 265.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in
At end of road, turn left
Navigation decision point
6
129.6 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
8
253.3 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 214C
Toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
7
253.7 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 101 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
8
265.1 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road, Surprise
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.40 one way
$94.80 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$50.76
$101.52
premium
$5.04
$53.10
$106.20
diesel
$4.80
$50.51
$101.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.3
0
$28.09
$12.84
Efficient EV
66.9
0
$23.41
$10.70
EV Truck/SUV
107
1
$37.45
$17.12
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
First Mesa, AZ
Late night
in First Mesa on Sunday
Local time
2:12 AM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Chance Rain Showers
SE 5 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:36AM MST until July 17 at 5:30AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:33AM MST until July 17 at 5:00AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Peoria, AZ
Late night
in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
2:12 AM
MST
Current temp
77°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 5 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:36AM MST until July 17 at 5:30AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:33AM MST until July 17 at 5:00AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 49m 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.
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...
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$25
near mile 119.9
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
$10
near mile 175.2
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$25
near mile 119.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 16% of the drive on higher-speed highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway, offering a good opportunity for consistent cruising. After that, expect transitions to more local roads. The road surface changes will be noticeable as you move between the different named routes.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 267.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 129.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,884 ft1,141 ft
Total Climb
2,011 ft
Total Descent
6,649 ft
Highest Point
6,884 ft
~133.7 mi in
Elevation Range
5,744 ft
Notable High Points
6,884 ft at ~133.7 miles+543 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between First Mesa, AZ and Peoria, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Peoria is a city inside of Phoenix, Arizona. Many visitors come to the area during the spring to see their favorite professional baseball team during Spring Training in the Cactus League.
Top landmarks
•Central School — school building in Peoria, Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 267.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Peoria, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 129.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Peoria, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
