This 211.6-mile drive from Naco, AZ, to Mesa, AZ, will take you approximately 4 hours and 14 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day trip, it primarily utilizes the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $42, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Desert Southwest region of Arizona. While it includes some highway driving, its character is more suited to a turn-heavy local experience. Plan for one main stop along the way to break up the drive.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105.8 miles from Naco, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.5 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
41.4 mi
43m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
24.1 mi
24m
State Route 92
20.3 mi
25m
State Route 90
15 mi
17m
South Arizona Avenue
11 mi
19m
Huachuca Boulevard
9 mi
10m
South Freeway
6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Naco, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on this road
127 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto West Martinez Street
207 ft·11 sec·West Martinez Street
3
Turn right onto South Towner Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·South Towner Avenue
4
Turn left onto West Newell Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·West Newell Street
5
Continue on South Willson Road
3.0 mi·7 min·South Willson Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 92
20 mi·25 min·State Route 92
7
Continue on AZ 92
2.6 mi·3 min·Sierra Vista-Bisbee Highway
8
Continue on AZ 92
3.0 mi·4 min·AZ 92
9
Turn left onto Buffalo Soldier Trail
6.0 mi·9 min·Buffalo Soldier Trail
10
Continue on AZ 90
3.0 mi·3 min·State Route 90
11
Continue on AZ 90
2.2 mi·3 min·South Huachuca Boulevard
12
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·13 min·State Route 90
13
Continue on AZ 90
9.0 mi·10 min·Huachuca Boulevard
14
Continue on AZ 90
1.3 mi·2 min·South State Highway 90
15
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
16
Merge onto I 10
41 mi·43 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi·6 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi·4 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 10
24 mi·24 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 175Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, GilbertUse the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto AZ 587
5.8 mi·8 min·AZ 587
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Continue on AZ 87
11 mi·19 min·South Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on AZ 87
4.0 mi·7 min·South Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto West University Drive
1.0 mi·1 min·West University Drive
26
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this route is comfortably manageable as a single-day trip from Naco to Mesa. You can depart in the morning and arrive by midday, allowing for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, consider making it around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The longest stretch without major turns is 54.5 miles, so be prepared for more frequent navigation adjustments outside of that section. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move away from larger towns.
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 105.8 miles from Naco, AZ, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 47 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.8 miles or 2h 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 3h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mesa, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Naco, 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 Naco, AZ
This is one driving day of about 211.6 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Naco, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 189.8 — 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|West Martinez Street
Turn left onto West Martinez Street
Navigation decision point
6
62.9 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
6
114.7 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
189.5 mi into trip|~3h 37m in
Take the exit toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
6
189.8 mi into trip|~3h 37m in|AZ 587
Turn left onto AZ 587
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.15 one way
$84.31 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$44.61
$89.22
premium
$5.59
$46.58
$93.15
diesel
$5.61
$46.72
$93.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.5
0
$22.22
$10.16
Efficient EV
52.9
0
$18.51
$8.46
EV Truck/SUV
84.6
1
$29.62
$13.54
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 Jun 22, 2022
Origin
Naco, AZ
Evening
in Naco on Saturday
Local time
7:45 PM
MST
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mesa, AZ
Evening
in Mesa on Saturday
Local time
7:45 PM
MST
Current temp
93°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
4 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
4h 14m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Coronado National Memorial
National Memorial
It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and over a thousand Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 21.9
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 175.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a more engaged driving experience on this route, as it's characterized as a turn-heavy local drive. Only 24% of the journey is on highways, meaning you'll navigate a variety of road types. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.5 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. This suggests a drive that will involve more frequent changes in speed and direction, rather than a steady cruise on a single interstate.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Martinez Street.
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 211.6 miles you will encounter 10 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 (West Martinez Street): Navigation decision point; at 62.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.7 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Naco, AZ and Mesa, AZ, road signs point toward Tuscon and Gilbert.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 211.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (24%). 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 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson 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 (West Martinez Street): Navigation decision point; at 62.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.7 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Coronado National Memorial, Saguaro National Park and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Mesa, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
