Meadview, AZ to Mesa, AZ is 262.6 miles and takes about 5h 45m via US 93 and Stockton Hill Road, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, transitioning from more remote desert landscapes to the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. With a single recommended day, this route is manageable for a straightforward drive. You'll experience a mix of highway speeds and surface road cruising, so plan accordingly for the change in pace. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points in the state.
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
131.3 miles from Meadview, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 93
90.8 mi
1h 46m
Stockton Hill Road
41.6 mi
1h 4m
Grand Avenue
26.6 mi
36m
Purple Heart Trail
19.1 mi
19m
Pierce Ferry Road
16.9 mi
27m
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
16.3 mi
24m
Papago Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Red Mountain Freeway
11.7 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
US 93
— 90.8 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meadview, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on East Meadview Boulevard
0.9 mi·2 min·East Meadview Boulevard
2
At end of road, turn left onto Pierce Ferry Road
17 mi·27 min·Pierce Ferry Road
3
Turn left onto CR 20
42 mi·1 hr 4 min·Stockton Hill Road
4
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Stockton Hill Road, Mojave County Fairgrounds Community College
5
Merge onto I 40; US 93
19 mi·19 min·Purple Heart Trail
6
Take the exit onto US 93
91 mi·1 hr 46 min·US 93
Exit 71Toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, PhoenixUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto US 93
11 mi·12 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.6 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
9
Enter roundabout onto US 93
138 ft·5 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
10
Continue on US 93
1.2 mi·2 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
11
Enter roundabout onto US 93
139 ft·4 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
12
Continue on US 93
0.9 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.9 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.5 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
15
Continue on US 93
104 ft·4 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
1.2 mi·2 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
17
Enter roundabout onto US 60
201 ft·8 sec·East Wickenburg Way
18
Continue on US 60
1.5 mi·2 min·East Wickenburg Way
19
Continue on US 60
8.7 mi·10 min·Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
20
Continue on US 60
5.2 mi·5 min·Grand Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on US 60
1.7 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
22
Continue on US 60
1.1 mi·1 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
20 mi·29 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
25
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
8.9 mi·10 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 10 East: PhoenixUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 10
10 mi·12 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·35 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
29
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.1 mi·7 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi·41 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop East
32
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
11 mi·13 min·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 11Toward Alma School RoadUse the slight right lane.
34
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi·3 min·North Alma School Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
35
Turn left onto West University Drive
2.0 mi·3 min·West University Drive
Use the left lane.
36
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 45m drive, consider leaving Meadview in the morning to allow ample time for the 262.6-mile trip. You'll have one main road, US 93, for a significant portion, so keep an eye on your fuel levels before departing, as the longest stretch without services could be 90.8 miles. While the drive is manageable in a single day, there's only one listed stop, so plan for any necessary breaks or meal stops. The estimated fuel cost is around $52, so budget for that before you head out. Be aware of the change from highway to surface roads as you approach your destination.
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 131.3 miles from Meadview, AZ, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.8 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 58 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.3 miles or 2h 55m 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 43m
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 Meadview, 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 Meadview, AZ
This is one driving day of about 262.6 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Meadview, 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 US 93 for about 90.8 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 78.9 and 258.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
78.9 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|US 93
Take the exit onto US 93 toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 71
Toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, Phoenix
8
233.8 mi into trip|~5h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
8
247 mi into trip|~5h 23m in|Red Mountain Freeway
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
8
247.5 mi into trip|~5h 24m in|Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
7
258.7 mi into trip|~5h 37m in
Take the exit toward Alma School Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward Alma School Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.53 one way
$93.07 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$49.83
$99.66
premium
$5.04
$52.13
$104.25
diesel
$4.80
$49.58
$99.17
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: 91.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.8
0
$27.57
$12.60
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$22.98
$10.50
EV Truck/SUV
105
1
$36.76
$16.81
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Meadview, AZ
Night
in Meadview on Saturday
Local time
11:59 PM
MST
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 6 to 9 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:13PM PDT until July 18 at 1:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Mesa, AZ
Night
in Mesa on Saturday
Local time
11:59 PM
MST
Current temp
79°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ENE 0 to 5 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:13PM PDT until July 18 at 1:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
1 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
5h 45m 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.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Experience outdoor thrills, striking landscapes, and brilliant blue waters. This year-round recreation area spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast reservoirs. Vis...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 47% of this drive is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on US 93 covering 90.8 miles. You'll transition from highway cruising to Stockton Hill Road and Grand Avenue, which are surface roads. Expect a change in pace as you move from higher-speed highway driving to more varied surface road conditions. The shift from US 93 to Stockton Hill Road will likely feel like a significant change in the driving environment.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.8 mi on US 93.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 78.9 miles in near US 93.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 262.6 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 78.9 miles (US 93): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,189 ft1,078 ft
Total Climb
2,616 ft
Total Descent
4,365 ft
Highest Point
4,189 ft
~75 mi in
Elevation Range
3,112 ft
Notable High Points
4,189 ft at ~75 miles+740 ft prominence
2,790 ft at ~168.8 miles+617 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Meadview, AZ and Mesa, AZ, road signs point toward Mojave County Fairgrounds Community College and Phoenix.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 262.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.8 miles on US 93. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Mesa, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 78.9 miles (US 93): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lake Mead National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mesa, AZ before the return drive.
