Mesa, AZ to Colorado City, AZ is 386.2 miles and takes about 7h 39m via Arizona Veterans Highway, with a fuel budget near $77 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape. With only 15% of the trip on highways, expect a more relaxed pace. The route is broken into two main segments, suggesting opportunities to stretch your legs. Given the duration and road types, it's a manageable one-day trip.
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
193.1 miles from Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Colorado City, 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 WestUse 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 WestUse 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
1.2 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 143A-BToward I 17 South, I 17 North: FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 143AToward I 17 North: FlagstaffUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 17; US 60
38 mi·41 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi·1 hr 17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
15
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi·43 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
17
Merge onto I 40
5.1 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 89 North: Page
19
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus
0.5 mi·50 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Turn right onto US 89
2.3 mi·3 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
22
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
23
Enter roundabout onto US 89
156 ft·2 sec·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
24
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
25
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 89
26
Continue on US 89
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
27
Turn left onto US 89A
84 mi·1 hr 53 min·Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway
28
Continue on US 89A
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
29
Turn left onto AZ 389
0.6 mi·1 min·West Pratt Street
30
Continue on AZ 389
30 mi·34 min·Short Creek–Fredonia Highway
31
Turn right onto CR 377
1.4 mi·2 min·South Central Street
32
Turn left onto West Township Avenue
449 ft·17 sec·West Township Avenue
33
Turn left onto Heritage Lane
69 ft·3 sec·Heritage Lane
34
Arrive at destination
Heritage Lane
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 39m drive, consider an early morning departure from Mesa, AZ, to ensure you have ample daylight for the 386.2 miles. With two planned stops and a longest stretch of 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway, you can break up the drive effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $77 estimate suggests you'll need to refuel strategically, especially given the predominantly surface road profile. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows for spontaneous breaks if needed.
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 193.1 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 85 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.1 miles or 3h 34m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colorado City, 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 386.2 miles and 7h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 90.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 164 — 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
6
14.8 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West
8
18.8 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff
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 143A-B
Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff
8
19.1 mi into trip|~25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 143A
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
6
164 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.44 one way
$136.87 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$73.29
$146.57
premium
$5.04
$76.66
$153.32
diesel
$4.80
$72.92
$145.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$68
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.9
1
$40.55
$18.54
Efficient EV
96.6
1
$33.79
$15.45
EV Truck/SUV
154.5
1
$54.07
$24.72
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Mesa, AZ
Evening
in Mesa on Saturday
Local time
7:49 PM
MST
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 to 15 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:59PM MST until July 17 at 12:15AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:39PM MST until July 16 at 11:15PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Colorado City, AZ
Evening
in Colorado City on Saturday
Local time
7:49 PM
MST
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:59PM MST until July 17 at 12:15AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:39PM MST until July 16 at 11:15PM 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
11 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 39m 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.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10
near mile 106.5
The rich history of Pipe Spring and its flowing water comes alive as you explore the traditions of the Kaibab Paiute and the Mormon settlers through the museum, historic fort, cabins, and garden. Hike...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10
near mile 372.9
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
$25
near mile 159.8
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 186.5
Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. The recreation area stretches for hundreds of mil...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
$30
near mile 279.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily on surface roads, with only 15% of the 386.2 miles on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway, which is not a freeway. Expect a rural cruising feel for most of the drive, with transitions between different surface road designations like Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway and Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway. The lack of extensive highway driving means you'll likely encounter more local traffic and varied speed limits.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.6 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 386.2 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 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
7,586 ft1,243 ft
Total Climb
11,142 ft
Total Descent
7,404 ft
Highest Point
7,586 ft
~331.1 mi in
Elevation Range
6,343 ft
Notable High Points
6,882 ft at ~165.5 miles+449 ft prominence
5,768 ft at ~248.3 miles+1,408 ft prominence
7,586 ft at ~331.1 miles+2,584 ft prominence
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 Mesa, AZ to Colorado City, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Colorado City is a city of 4,900 people (2018) straddling the Utah/Arizona border, although most of the city is on the Arizona side. The Utah portion is known as Hildale.
Colorado City is the largest and best-known polygamist community in the United States, and there are few facilities for travelers.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 39m. Total distance: 386.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 39m 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 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Colorado City, 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. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Montezuma Castle National Monument and Pipe Spring National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colorado City, AZ before the return drive.
