US Trip Planner

Trip from Peoria, AZ to Mescal, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 6m

Distance

167.5 mi

270 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 55m ★

6 AM

3h 6m

8 AM

3h 29m

10 AM

3h 14m

12 PM

3h 12m

3 PM

3h 16m

5 PM

3h 28m

8 PM

2h 59m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Peoria, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Mescal, AZ, AZ

Mescal, AZ

Los Muertos Crew

Trip Overview

This 167.5-mile journey from Peoria, AZ, to Mescal, AZ, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate using the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and Tucson-Benson Highway, with about 16% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $33. The overall feel of this route is a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting a need for attention to navigation. Since both locations are within the Desert Southwest region of Arizona, you'll experience consistent arid landscapes throughout.

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

83.8 miles from Peoria, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway	54.6 mi	55m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway	37.8 mi	38m
Tucson-Benson Highway	36.5 mi	38m
Maricopa Freeway	16.3 mi	18m
Grand Avenue	9.3 mi	16m
North Freeway	6.1 mi	6m
Black Canyon Freeway	3.5 mi	4m
North Mescal Road	1.8 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Casa Grande-Tucson Highway — 54.6 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, AZ and Mescal, AZ.

1

Start on North 83rd Avenue

128 ft · 8 sec · North 83rd Avenue

2

Turn right onto US 60

9.3 mi · 16 min · Grand Avenue

Use the left lane.

3

Take the exit onto US 60

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 60

Toward 27th Avenue

4

Turn left onto US 60

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Thomas Road

Use the left / slight left lanes.

5

Turn right onto US 60

0.3 mi · 28 sec · North Black Canyon Highway

6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 17 South

7

Merge onto I 17; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Black Canyon Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

8

Continue on I 17; US 60

16 mi · 18 min · Maricopa Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

9

Continue on I 10

38 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

10

Continue on I 10

55 mi · 55 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

11

Continue on I 10

6.1 mi · 6 min · North Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

12

Continue on I 10

36 mi · 38 min · Tucson-Benson Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Exit 297 Toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road

14

Turn left onto J-6 Road

369 ft · 15 sec · J-6 Road

15

Continue on North Mescal Road

1.8 mi · 4 min · North Mescal Road

16

Arrive at destination

North Mescal Road

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration, this trip is comfortably a one-day drive, offering flexibility in your departure time. It's wise to start your journey with a full tank of gas, especially since the longest stretch without a major town might be around 54.6 miles. Factor in one planned stop to break up the drive and potentially refuel or grab a quick bite. Pay close attention to your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates you'll need to be mindful of upcoming turns to stay on course to Mescal.

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 83.8 miles from Peoria, AZ, or about 1h 36m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 37 miles or 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 83.8 miles or 1h 36m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mescal, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Peoria, 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 Peoria, AZ

This is one driving day of about 167.5 miles and 3h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Peoria, 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 54.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Pinal County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Casa Grande, AZ

84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Arizona City, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.8 miles from Peoria, 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 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 165.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 60 / Grand Avenue

Turn right onto US 60 / Grand Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

6

9.9 mi into trip | ~17m in | US 60 / West Thomas Road

Turn left onto US 60 / West Thomas Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / slight left lanes.

5

10.1 mi into trip | ~18m in | US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway

Turn right onto US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway

Navigation decision point

5

10.4 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward I 17 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 17 South

6

165.4 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in

Take the exit toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 297 Toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.37 one way

$66.74 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.36	$35.31	$70.63
premium	$5.59	$36.87	$73.74
diesel	$5.61	$36.98	$73.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	50.3	0	$17.59	$8.04
Efficient EV	41.9	0	$14.66	$6.70
EV Truck/SUV	67	0	$23.45	$10.72

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Peoria, AZ

Late night in Peoria on Tuesday

Local time

2:09 AM

MST

Current temp

88°F

Partly Sunny

SSE 0 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 3:13AM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 3:13AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV

Destination

Mescal, AZ

Late night in Mescal on Tuesday

Local time

2:09 AM

MST

Current temp

76°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

12 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 6m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, which means you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than cruising on a monotonous interstate. While 16% of the drive utilizes highways, the majority of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.6 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. This drive's personality suggests a need for active engagement behind the wheel, with the road character likely shifting as you transition between different local segments.

Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 54.6 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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 60 / Grand Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 167.5 miles you will encounter 8 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 (US 60 / Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Starting in Peoria, AZ

Peoria is a city inside of Phoenix, Arizona. Many visitors come to the area during the spring to see their favorite professional baseball team during Spring Training in the Cactus League.

Top landmarks

• Central School — school building in Peoria, 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 3h 6m. Total distance: 167.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (16%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.6 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 (US 60 / Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point.

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 Mescal, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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