Spanning 141.4 miles across the Desert Southwest, this journey from Mesa to Pima typically takes about 3 hours and 4 minutes to complete. You will navigate a transition through the landscape using a combination of the Superstition Freeway, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $28 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. It is a practical drive that gets you from the Mesa area to Pima efficiently while keeping your travel logistics simple.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.7 miles from Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
66.3 mi
1h 21m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi
55m
Superstition Freeway
18.5 mi
21m
US 60
4 mi
7m
East Ash Street
2.3 mi
4m
South Mesa Drive
2 mi
3m
North Broad Street
2 mi
3m
Live Oak Street
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 66.3 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Pima, AZ.
1
Start on East University Drive
73 ft·8 sec·East University Drive
2
Turn left onto North Mesa Drive
0.5 mi·56 sec·North Mesa Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on South Mesa Drive
2.0 mi·3 min·South Mesa Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward US 60 East: GlobeUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 60
19 mi·21 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·Live Oak Street
8
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
9
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
10
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·9 sec·East Oak Street
12
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·39 sec·South Hill Street
13
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi·4 min·East Ash Street
14
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi·1 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
66 mi·1 hr 20 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
16
Turn left
190 ft·13 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 141.4-mile distance and the technical nature of the roads, try to plan for at least one stop to break up the driving time. Aim to depart early in the day to allow yourself plenty of flexibility for traffic or road conditions, especially since the route involves significant non-highway mileage. Because your fuel costs are estimated at $28, filling up your tank before you leave Mesa ensures you won't have to worry about finding service stations on the more remote stretches. Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to adjust your schedule easily if you encounter any unexpected delays along the way.
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 70.7 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.3 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 31 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pima, 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 141.4 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Mesa, 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 Globe-Lordsburg Highway for about 66.3 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 72.4 — 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|North Mesa Drive
Turn left onto North Mesa Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.6 mi into trip|~5m in
Turn left toward US 60 East: Globe
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 60 East: Globe
5
3 mi into trip|~5m in|US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
71.8 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
72.4 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|East Oak Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.17 one way
$56.34 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$29.81
$59.62
premium
$5.59
$31.12
$62.25
diesel
$5.61
$31.22
$62.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.4
0
$14.85
$6.79
Efficient EV
35.4
0
$12.37
$5.66
EV Truck/SUV
56.6
0
$19.80
$9.05
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (65% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Mesa, AZ
Night
in Mesa on Saturday
Local time
10:58 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pima, AZ
Night
in Pima on Saturday
Local time
10:58 PM
MST
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Miami, AZ
71 mi in
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
44 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
3h 4m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 34.1
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
$10
near mile 58.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 16% of this trip consists of major highway travel, so prepare for a slower, more technical pace than a standard interstate cruise. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, covering 66.3 miles of the total distance. As you move away from the initial freeway segments, the road character shifts significantly, requiring you to navigate local highway conditions. This isn't a mindless highway grind; it is a route that keeps you engaged with the road surface and changing terrain throughout the journey.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.3 mi on Globe-Lordsburg Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Mesa Drive.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 141.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Mesa Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 141.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (16%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.3 miles on Globe-Lordsburg 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Mesa Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Pima, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
