Origin
Picture Rocks, AZ
Late night in Picture Rocks on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Picture Rocks, AZ to Mesa, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 3m
Distance
94.5 mi
152 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 55m
★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 10m
12 PM
2h 8m
3 PM
2h 11m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Picture Rocks, AZ
Mark Direen
Mesa, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Picture Rocks, AZ to Mesa, AZ is 94.5 miles and takes about 2h 3m via Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest region of Arizona, offering a straightforward journey between two points. It's a single-day trip that won't require an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for a quick excursion. You'll be covering a moderate distance, so plan for a few hours on the road, keeping the fuel cost in mind.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.3 miles from Picture Rocks, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 36.1 mi | 36m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 24.1 mi | 24m |
| South Arizona Avenue | 11 mi | 19m |
| AZ 587 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| North Sanders Road | 5 mi | 8m |
| South Country Club Drive | 4 mi | 7m |
| North Avra Road | 1.4 mi | 5m |
| West Avra Valley Road | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 36.1 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Picture Rocks, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on North Avra Road
1.4 mi
·
5 min
·
North Avra Road
2
Turn slight right onto West Emigh Road
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Emigh Road
3
Turn left onto North Sanders Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Sanders Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto West Twin Peaks Road
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Twin Peaks Road
5
Turn right onto North Clayton Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Clayton Road
6
Turn sharp right onto West Avra Valley Road
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Avra Valley Road
7
Turn left onto North Sanders Road
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North Sanders Road
8
At end of road, turn right onto West Marana Road
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
West Marana Road
9
Continue on Marana Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Marana Main Street
10
Enter roundabout onto North Sandario Road
189 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Sandario Road
11
Continue on North Sandario Road
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Sandario Road
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
13
Merge onto I 10
36 mi
·
36 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 10
24 mi
·
24 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto AZ 587
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
AZ 587
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Continue on AZ 87
11 mi
·
19 min
·
South Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on AZ 87
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
South Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto West University Drive
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West University Drive
20
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, this is a comfortable same-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's a budget-friendly drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when you're on the longer stretches of local roads like the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, as services might be less frequent compared to major interstates.
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 47.3 miles from Picture Rocks, AZ, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.1 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 21 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.3 miles or 1h 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 34m
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 Picture Rocks, 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 Picture Rocks, AZ
This is one driving day of about 94.5 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Picture Rocks, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 36.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.3 miles from Picture Rocks, 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 72.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
West Twin Peaks Road
At end of road, turn left onto West Twin Peaks Road
Navigation decision point
5
5.1 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
West Avra Valley Road
Turn sharp right onto West Avra Valley Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
10.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
West Marana Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Marana Road
Navigation decision point
8
72.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m 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
72.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
AZ 587
Turn left onto AZ 587
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.83 one way
$37.65 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $19.92 | $39.85 |
| premium | $5.59 | $20.80 | $41.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.86 | $41.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.92 | $4.54 |
| Efficient EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.27 | $3.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.23 | $6.05 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Mesa, AZ
Late night in Mesa on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
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
5 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
2h 3m 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?
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only 6% of the journey on highways. Expect a dynamic driving experience as you navigate through various local roads, rather than a continuous interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36.1 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. As you progress, the road will likely transition between different local thoroughfares, requiring your attention to navigation and speed.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.1 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near West Twin Peaks Road.
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 94.5 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 3.4 miles (West Twin Peaks Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (West Avra Valley Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 10.4 miles (West Marana Road): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Picture Rocks, AZ to Mesa, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.
Gilbert
72.4 mi in
|
~1h 26m
About the Cities
Arriving in Mesa, AZ
Full guide →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.
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 3m. Total distance: 94.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (6%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.1 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: at 3.4 miles (West Twin Peaks Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (West Avra Valley Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 10.4 miles (West Marana Road): Navigation decision point.
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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