Origin
Mesa, AZ
Evening in Mesa on Saturday
Local time
6:09 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mesa, AZ to Beaver Dam, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 52m
Distance
395.7 mi
637 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$79
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 44m
★
6 AM
7h 53m
8 AM
8h 11m
10 AM
7h 59m
12 PM
7h 57m
3 PM
8h 0m
5 PM
8h 10m
8 PM
7h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Beaver Dam, AZ
Bluejae Photography
Trip Overview
This 395.7-mile drive from Mesa, AZ, to Beaver Dam, AZ, will take approximately 7 hours and 52 minutes, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll primarily navigate the Wickenburg–Kingman Highway and the Las Vegas Freeway, with a portion of the Hoover Dam–Kingman Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $79, this journey through the Desert Southwest offers a practical route for those seeking to cover ground efficiently. You'll encounter a turn-heavy local drive feel for much of the way, so plan for frequent adjustments. Two planned stops are recommended along this 1-day journey.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
197.8 miles from Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wickenburg–Kingman Highway | 106.7 mi | 2h 9m |
| Las Vegas Freeway | 73.3 mi | 1h 13m |
| Hoover Dam–Kingman Highway | 66.2 mi | 1h 16m |
| Grand Avenue | 27.4 mi | 37m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 21.5 mi | 21m |
| Purple Heart Highway | 17.6 mi | 20m |
| Papago Freeway | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 10.9 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
— 106.7 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Beaver Dam, AZ.
1
Start on East University Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East University Drive
2
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Alma School Road
3
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West
Use the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
8
Continue on I 10
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 133B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 11
Toward US 60
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto US 60
20 mi
·
28 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
159 ft
·
3 sec
·
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
14
Continue on US 60
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
15
Continue on US 60
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
16
Continue on US 60
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
17
Continue on US 60
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Grand Avenue
18
Continue on US 60
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
Phoenix-Wickenburg Highway
19
Continue on US 60
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
20
Continue on US 60
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Wickenburg Way
21
Enter roundabout onto US 93
2 ft
·
0 sec
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
22
Continue on US 93
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
26
Enter roundabout onto US 93
100 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
27
Continue on US 93
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
28
Enter roundabout onto US 93
155 ft
·
6 sec
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
29
Continue on US 93
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
30
Turn left onto US 93
112 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
101 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
32
Continue on US 93
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Wickenburg-Kingman Highway
33
Take the exit onto US 93
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 93
Toward I 40 West
34
Merge onto I 40; US 93
22 mi
·
21 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
35
Take the exit onto US 93
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
US 93
Exit 48
Toward US 93: Beale Street, Las Vegas
36
Turn slight right onto US 93
222 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 93
Exit 48
Toward US 93: Beale Street, Las Vegas
Use the right lane.
37
Merge onto US 93
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Beale Street
Use the right lane.
38
Continue on US 93
66 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Hoover Dam–Kingman Highway
Use the right lane.
39
Continue on US 93
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Hoover Dam Bypass
40
Take the exit onto US 93 BUS
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 93 BUS
Exit 2
Toward US 93 BUS North, NV 172 East: Boulder City, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93 BUS
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
US 93 BUS
Exit 2
Toward US 93 BUS North: Boulder City
Use the right lane.
42
Continue on US 93 BUS
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Boulder City Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on I 11; US 93; US 95
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 72
Toward NV 159: Charleston Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
45
Turn right onto NV 159
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Charleston Boulevard
46
Turn left onto South Lamb Boulevard
6.8 mi
·
11 min
·
South Lamb Boulevard
Use the left lane.
47
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
48
Merge onto I 15; US 93
73 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Las Vegas Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Continue on I 15
8.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
50
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 8
Toward Beaver Dam, Littlefield
51
Turn left onto CR 91
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 91
52
Turn right
332 ft
·
26 sec
53
At end of road, turn left
412 ft
·
30 sec
54
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 52-minute duration, consider an early morning departure from Mesa to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your two recommended stops. The estimated fuel cost of $79 is a good budget baseline, but it's wise to check current prices. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests paying close attention to navigation, especially on the Wickenburg–Kingman Highway, as you'll be making numerous turns. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition, as you'll be covering a significant distance within Arizona, passing through the Desert Southwest region.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 197.8 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 4h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.7 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 87 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.8 miles or 4h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beaver Dam, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mesa, AZ
This is one driving day of about 395.7 miles and 7h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Mesa, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway for about 106.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
198 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 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 197.8 miles from Mesa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Wickenburg–Kingman Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.7 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
5 of 335 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 277.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Turn left toward AZ 202 Loop West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
7
28.1 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
37.8 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward US 60
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward US 60
8
277.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 37m in
|
US 93 BUS
Take the exit onto US 93 BUS toward US 93 BUS North, NV 172 East: Boulder City, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead
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 2
Toward US 93 BUS North, NV 172 East: Boulder Ci...
8
277.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 38m in
|
US 93 BUS
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93 BUS toward US 93 BUS North: Boulder City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 2
Toward US 93 BUS North: Boulder City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$78.83 one way
$157.66 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
138 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $83.42 | $166.85 |
| premium | $5.59 | $87.10 | $174.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $87.37 | $174.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 118.7 | 1 | $41.55 | $18.99 |
| Efficient EV | 98.9 | 1 | $34.62 | $15.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.3 | 1 | $55.40 | $25.32 |
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Beaver Dam, AZ
Evening in Beaver Dam on Saturday
Local time
6:09 PM
MST
Current temp
53°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
40 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
7h 52m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$25
near mile 259.2
Danger: A harmful algal bloom (HAB) has been detected in Government Wash
Caution: Bacteria Levels at Arizona Hot Springs
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for most of this 395.7-mile route. While 29% of your journey will be on highways, the character leans towards more frequent navigation changes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 106.7 miles on the Wickenburg–Kingman Highway. This means you'll likely experience varied road conditions and speeds, moving from more open highway sections to tighter, more local driving segments as you progress toward Beaver Dam.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
54 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.7 mi on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 3.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 33 significant decision points across 395.7 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 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 28.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Mesa, AZ and Beaver Dam, AZ, road signs point toward Las Vegas, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
Las Vegas
205.8 mi in
|
~4h 13m
|
via US 93
Hoover Dam
277.6 mi in
|
~5h 37m
|
via US 93 BUS
Lake Mead
277.6 mi in
|
~5h 37m
|
via US 93 BUS
About the Cities
Starting 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 7h 52m. Total distance: 395.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.7 miles on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Beaver Dam, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 28.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Beaver Dam, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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