Origin
Miami, AZ
Late night in Miami on Tuesday
Local time
2:09 AM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Miami, AZ to Mesa, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
66.2 mi
106 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 19m
★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 39m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 29m
3 PM
1h 31m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Miami, AZ
Brendon Spring
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Miami to Mesa, Arizona, expect a manageable 66.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 26 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Phoenix–Globe Highway, the Superstition Freeway, and South Mesa Drive. With fuel costs estimated at around $13, it is a budget-friendly way to cross through the Desert Southwest. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, the straightforward nature of this drive makes it an easy transition between these two Arizona locations.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 42.9 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| South Mesa Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
| West Live Oak Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Mesa Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East University Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Phoenix–Globe Highway
— 42.9 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Miami, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on this road
85 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
153 ft
·
12 sec
3
Turn left onto US 60
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Live Oak Street
4
Continue on US 60
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 180
Toward Mesa Drive
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn right onto South Mesa Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Mesa Drive
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on North Mesa Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Mesa Drive
9
Turn right onto East University Drive
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
East University Drive
10
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.1 miles from Miami, 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 55 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 66.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 60 / West Live Oak Street
Turn left onto US 60 / West Live Oak Street
Navigation decision point
7
63.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward Mesa Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 180
Toward Mesa Drive
5
63.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
South Mesa Drive
Turn right onto South Mesa Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
3
66.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
East University Drive
Turn right onto East University Drive
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.19 one way
$26.38 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $13.96 | $27.91 |
| premium | $5.59 | $14.57 | $29.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.62 | $29.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$13
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.95 | $3.18 |
| Efficient EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.79 | $2.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.27 | $4.24 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Mesa, AZ
Late night in Mesa on Tuesday
Local time
2:09 AM
MST
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Superior, AZ
33 mi in
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
31 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
1h 26m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between highway and surface streets. While only 28% of your journey is spent on major highways, you will encounter a significant 42.9-mile stretch along the Phoenix–Globe Highway that serves as the backbone of your trip. The road feels quite dynamic, shifting from the technical, winding sections typical of the region to the more structured environment of the Superstition Freeway. You will spend most of your time navigating local roads, so prepare for varying speeds and traffic patterns. It is not a mindless interstate cruise, but rather an engaging drive that keeps you focused on the road ahead.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.9 mi on Phoenix–Globe Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Miami, AZ to Mesa, AZ is easy. At 1h 26m with 28% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 60 / West Live Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 63.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Miami, AZ
Full guide →Miami is a major city in the southeastern United States and the second most populous city in Florida. The Greater Miami metropolitan area is the largest in the state with an estimated population just under 6.1 million (2021), which makes it the 9th most populous metro area in the United States. Although tourists generally consider Miami Beach to be part of Miami, it is its own municipality. Miami Beach sits on a barrier island east of Miami and Biscayne Bay. It is home to lots of beach resorts, and is one of the most popular spring break party destinations in the world. This article only covers the city of Miami, not Miami Beach.
Arriving 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
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 1h 26m. Total distance: 66.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (28%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.9 miles on Phoenix–Globe Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 60 / West Live Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 63.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mesa, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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