Rio Rico, AZ to Mesa, AZ is 161.6 miles and takes about 3h 10m via Casa Grande-Tucson Highway and others, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward, local feel. While it's a relatively short trip, it involves a number of turns, so staying alert is key. Plan for a single-day journey that can be completed with plenty of daylight to spare.
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
80.8 miles from Rio Rico, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.5 mi
55m
Nogales–Tucson Highway
52 mi
57m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
24.1 mi
24m
South Arizona Avenue
11 mi
19m
AZ 587
5.8 mi
8m
South Freeway
5.4 mi
6m
South Country Club Drive
4 mi
7m
Rio Rico Drive
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rico, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on this road
204 ft·20 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Yeso Court
290 ft·15 sec·Yeso Court
3
Turn right onto Avenida Leon
0.3 mi·1 min·Avenida Leon
4
At end of road, turn right onto Avenida Coatimundi
0.3 mi·43 sec·Avenida Coatimundi
5
At end of road, turn right onto Pendleton Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Pendleton Drive
6
Turn left onto Rio Rico Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·Rio Rico Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
8
Merge onto I 19
52 mi·57 min·Nogales–Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
10
Merge onto I 10
5.4 mi·6 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi·4 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
24 mi·24 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Exit 175Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, GilbertUse the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto AZ 587
5.8 mi·8 min·AZ 587
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Continue on AZ 87
11 mi·19 min·South Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on AZ 87
4.0 mi·7 min·South Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto West University Drive
1.0 mi·1 min·West University Drive
19
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 10m duration and 161.6-mile distance, this is easily a single-day trip. You can comfortably depart in the morning and arrive by midday. Since it's not an excessively long drive, you have flexibility with your stops. Be mindful of the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route; keep your navigation active and be prepared for frequent adjustments. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, ensure your tank is sufficiently filled before you leave Rio Rico to avoid unnecessary stops.
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 80.8 miles from Rio Rico, AZ, or about 1h 33m 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 36 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.8 miles or 1h 33m 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 25m
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 Rio Rico, 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 Rio Rico, AZ
This is one driving day of about 161.6 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Rio Rico, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 139.8 — 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|Yeso Court
Turn right onto Yeso Court
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Avenida Coatimundi
At end of road, turn right onto Avenida Coatimundi
Navigation decision point
6
64.7 mi into trip|~1h 16m 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
139.5 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
139.8 mi into trip|~2h 33m in|AZ 587
Turn left onto AZ 587
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.19 one way
$64.39 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$34.07
$68.14
premium
$5.59
$35.57
$71.14
diesel
$5.61
$35.68
$71.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.5
0
$16.97
$7.76
Efficient EV
40.4
0
$14.14
$6.46
EV Truck/SUV
64.6
0
$22.62
$10.34
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Rio Rico, AZ
Morning
in Rio Rico on Tuesday
Local time
8:54 AM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mesa, AZ
Morning
in Mesa on Tuesday
Local time
8:54 AM
MST
Current temp
84°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
3h 10m 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.
Tumacácori National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Tumacácori sits at a cultural crossroads in the Santa Cruz River valley. Here O’odham, Yaqui, and Apache people met and mingled with European Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries, settlers, and soldiers...
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 129.9
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll navigate a mix of roads rather than a continuous interstate. With a highway share of just 7%, expect to encounter more surface streets and intersections. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 54.5 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The road's character will likely shift as you transition between different segments, requiring active navigation through various local stretches.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 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?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Yeso Court.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 161.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Yeso Court): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Avenida Coatimundi): Navigation decision point; at 64.7 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.
On the drive from Rio Rico, AZ to Mesa, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 161.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Mesa, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Yeso Court): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Avenida Coatimundi): Navigation decision point; at 64.7 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Tumacácori National Historical Park, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Saguaro National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Mesa, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
