Sacaton Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Marana, AZ to Mesa, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
85 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
13 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marana, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Marana, AZ to Mesa, AZ is 85 miles and takes about 1 hour 44 minutes via Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest, traversing Arizona the entire way. Expect a local feel with plenty of turns, making it a more engaging trip than a simple highway cruise. With only 85 miles, this is a straightforward, same-day excursion perfect for those who prefer shorter travel days and a bit of local flavor.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.5 miles from Marana, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 36.1 mi | 36m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 24.1 mi | 24m |
| South Arizona Avenue | 11 mi | 19m |
| AZ 587 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| South Country Club Drive | 4 mi | 7m |
| North Sandario Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| West University Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Moore Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 36.1 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marana, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on North Steele Drive
214 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Steele Drive
2
Turn right onto West Swanson Street
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Swanson Street
3
Turn left onto North Whitney Lane
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Whitney Lane
4
Turn right onto West Moore Road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Moore Road
5
Turn left onto North Sandario Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sandario Road
6
Enter roundabout onto North Sandario Road
103 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Sandario Road
7
Continue on North Sandario Road
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Sandario Road
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
9
Merge onto I 10
36 mi
·
36 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
24 mi
·
24 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto AZ 587
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
AZ 587
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Continue on AZ 87
11 mi
·
19 min
·
South Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on AZ 87
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
South Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto West University Drive
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West University Drive
16
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short distance of 85 miles and a duration of under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility for departure time. Leaving Marana, AZ, in the morning will allow you to reach Mesa, AZ, with plenty of daylight remaining. There are no specified stops, so plan to fuel up before you leave Marana to cover the $17 fuel cost estimate, as opportunities for service might be less frequent on the local roads. Pay close attention to your navigation, especially as you transition between the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and South Arizona Avenue, to avoid unnecessary detours.
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 42.5 miles from Marana, AZ, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.1 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 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 miles or 46m 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 21m
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 Marana, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Marana, AZ
This is one driving day of about 85 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Marana, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 36.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.5 miles from Marana, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Sacaton Rest Area
0 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pride Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Xpress Fuel Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Tyrannostorus
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
mile 79
Mesa, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+14805974467
Visit websiteRiverview Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
mile 85
Mesa, Arizona
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+14806442352
Visit websiteVillago Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
mile 48.6
Casa Grande, Arizona
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+15204218600
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 63.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Swanson Street
Turn right onto West Swanson Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 West: Phoenix
Navigation decision point
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
62.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m 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
63.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
AZ 587
Turn left onto AZ 587
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.93 one way
$33.87 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $17.92 | $35.84 |
| premium | $5.59 | $18.71 | $37.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.77 | $37.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
13 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Circle K - Tesla Supercharger
Eloy, AZ
Tesla
28 DCFC
TA, Sunland Gin Rd, Eloy, AZ
Eloy, AZ
BP_PULSE
16 DCFC
Hamstra Square
Chandler, AZ
Tesla
16 DCFC
The Park at San Tan - Tesla Supercharger
Chandler, AZ
Tesla
12 DCFC
Culver's - Tesla Supercharger
Casa Grande, AZ
Tesla
6 DCFC
Jones Ford Casa Grande
Casa Grande, AZ
RED_E
4 DCFC
Walmart 1218 (Casa Grande, AZ)
Casa Grande, AZ
Electrify America
4 DCFC
Kroger Frys 69 (Chandler, AZ)
Chandler, AZ
Electrify America
4 DCFC
Tesla: 4
RED_E: 2
Electrify America: 2
eVgo Network: 2
Non-Networked: 2
BP_PULSE: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.92 | $4.08 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.44 | $3.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34 | 0 | $11.90 | $5.44 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Marana, AZ
Night in Marana on Saturday
Local time
9:15 PM
MST
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 12:22PM MST until April 19 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 12:22PM MST until April 19 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Destination
Mesa, AZ
Night in Mesa on Saturday
Local time
9:15 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
4 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 44m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 46.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll navigate a good number of local roads and intersections. With only a 7% highway share, much of your journey will be on surface streets, offering a more intimate experience of the communities you pass through. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 36.1 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, providing a brief period of more consistent travel before you re-engage with local traffic patterns. Be prepared for frequent adjustments in speed and direction as you make your way north.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.1 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 early in the drive near West Swanson Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 44m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Swanson Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Marana, AZ to Mesa, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.
Gilbert
62.9 mi in
|
~1h 6m
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 44m. Total distance: 85 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (7%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.1 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Swanson Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mesa, AZ before heading back.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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