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Trip from Mesa, AZ to Cornville, AZ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 6, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 19m

Distance

120.8 mi

194 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 10m ★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mesa, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Cornville, AZ, AZ

Cornville, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

The drive from Mesa, AZ to Cornville, AZ covers 120.8 miles and takes about 2h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, Red Mountain Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 44.4 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.41 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

60.4 miles from Mesa, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway 44.4 mi 44m
Black Canyon Freeway 38.3 mi 41m
Red Mountain Freeway 10.9 mi 12m
East Cornville Road 9.2 mi 16m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway 8.9 mi 9m
Papago Freeway 2.5 mi 2m
East University Drive 2 mi 3m
North Alma School Road 1.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Arizona Veterans Highway — 44.4 mi, about 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Cornville, 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

1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Exit 143A-B Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 143A Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff Use 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

31 mi · 31 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Toward Rimrock, McGuiveville, Lake Montesuma Well, Cornville Road, Dry Beaver Creek
16

Turn left onto CR 30

9.2 mi · 16 min · East Cornville Road
17

Arrive at destination

CR 30

Trip Plan

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 60.4 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.4 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 27 miles or 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 60.4 miles or 1h 11m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cornville, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Mesa, AZ

This is one driving day of about 120.8 miles and 2h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Mesa, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 44.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

census designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Black Canyon City, AZ

60 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

Glendale, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Black Canyon City, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.4 miles from Mesa, 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 19.1 — 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
5
3.9 mi into trip | ~7m in | AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.41 one way

$46.83 round trip

$4.92/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.20 $24.74 $49.48
premium $5.44 $25.86 $51.72
diesel $5.60 $26.63 $53.26

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.2 0 $12.68 $5.80
Efficient EV 30.2 0 $10.57 $4.83
EV Truck/SUV 48.3 0 $16.91 $7.73

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Aug 30, 2026

Origin

Mesa, AZ

Evening in Mesa on Saturday

Local time

5:38 PM

MST

Current temp

85°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

E 5 to 15 mph 47% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued August 29 at 7:06PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued August 29 at 6:54PM MST until August 29 at 9:45PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ

Destination

Cornville, AZ

Evening in Cornville on Saturday

Local time

5:38 PM

MST

Current temp

69°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

NE 6 mph 61% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued August 29 at 7:06PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued August 29 at 6:54PM MST until August 29 at 9:45PM MST by NWS Tucson 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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 19m 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.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 near mile 112.4
Caution: Visiting During Monsoon Season (July-September)
View on nps.gov
Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument

National Monument

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...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour $10 near mile 120.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

120.8 mi in 2h 19m — 43% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Arizona Veterans Highway.

43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.4 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 3.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 120.8 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 3.9 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,509 ft 1,086 ft

Total Climb

3,440 ft

Total Descent

1,371 ft

Highest Point

4,509 ft

~94.9 mi in

Elevation Range

3,422 ft

Notable High Points

4,509 ft at ~94.9 miles +715 ft prominence

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 Cornville, AZ, road signs point toward Rimrock, Mcguiveville, Lake Montesuma Well and Dry Beaver Creek.

Rimrock

111.4 mi in | ~2h 3m

Mcguiveville

111.4 mi in | ~2h 3m

Lake Montesuma Well

111.4 mi in | ~2h 3m

Dry Beaver Creek

111.4 mi in | ~2h 3m

About the Cities

Starting in Mesa, AZ

Full guide →

Founded 1878

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.

Top landmarks

  • • Mesa Arizona Temple — the seventh operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
  • • Mesa Grande — cultural park in Mesa, Arizona, preserving a group of Hohokam structures
  • • Buckhorn Baths Motel — historic defunct mineral hot spring resort in Mesa, Arizona

Arriving in Cornville, AZ

Full guide →

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 2h 19m. Total distance: 120.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 44.4 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Cornville, 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. 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 3.9 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument and Tuzigoot 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 Cornville, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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