Scottsdale to First Mesa is 278.4 miles and takes about 5h 1m via Arizona Veterans Highway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you through the Desert Southwest, moving from one part of Arizona to another. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more grounded experience than a pure highway cruise. With only one recommended stop, this route is designed for efficient travel between these two points, making it a solid option for a single-day excursion.
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
139.2 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and First Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on this road
64 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Chaparral Road
3
Turn left
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
22 mi·25 min·Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 23C-BToward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 17 North: FlagstaffUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
8
Merge onto I 17
23 mi·24 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi·1 hr 17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
12
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi·43 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
14
Merge onto I 40
61 mi·1 hr 2 min·Purple Heart Trail
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward AZ 87 North: Second Mesa
16
Turn left onto AZ 87; US 66 Hist
39 mi·45 min·Winslow–Kayenta Highway
17
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi·4 min·AZ 87
18
Continue on AZ 87
17 mi·19 min·Winslow–Kayenta Highway
19
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 264
7.7 mi·9 min·Arizona State Highway 264
20
Turn left
247 ft·14 sec
21
At end of road, turn left
286 ft·13 sec
22
Turn right
0.2 mi·45 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Scottsdale in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you need to refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the longer stretches of Arizona Veterans Highway, to avoid issues in more remote areas. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but an early start ensures a relaxed pace.
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 139.2 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 61 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.2 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near First Mesa, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 278.4 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Scottsdale, 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 90.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 24.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Turn left toward AZ 101 Loop North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in|AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
23 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 23C-B
Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagsta...
7
23.5 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
5
24.7 mi into trip|~30m in|I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge onto I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.33 one way
$98.67 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$52.83
$105.66
premium
$5.04
$55.26
$110.53
diesel
$4.80
$52.57
$105.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.5
1
$29.23
$13.36
Efficient EV
69.6
0
$24.36
$11.14
EV Truck/SUV
111.4
1
$38.98
$17.82
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Late night
in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
MST
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:27PM PDT until July 17 at 9:15PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:24PM PDT until July 17 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
First Mesa, AZ
Late night
in First Mesa on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 12 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:27PM PDT until July 17 at 9:15PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:24PM PDT until July 17 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
14 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
5h 1m 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.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10
near mile 105.6
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$25
near mile 163.2
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
$25
near mile 153.6
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$25
near mile 163.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 21% of the route on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway before transitioning to surface roads. Be prepared for a more rural cruising experience, as the majority of this route bypasses major interstates. The shift from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you navigate less direct paths.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.6 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 around 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 278.4 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: at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,702 ft1,259 ft
Total Climb
6,843 ft
Total Descent
2,324 ft
Highest Point
6,702 ft
~139.2 mi in
Elevation Range
5,443 ft
Notable High Points
4,021 ft at ~79.5 miles+606 ft prominence
6,702 ft at ~139.2 miles+175 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Scottsdale, AZ and First Mesa, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Albuquerque.
Flagstaff
23 mi in|~27m
Albuquerque
148.1 mi in|~2h 37m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Scottsdale is a city in the state of Arizona. Scottsdale is home to many galleries, high quality resorts, and golf courses. It is also one of the wealthier parts of the Phoenix Metro Area.
Top landmarks
•Taliesin West — Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
•Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art — art museum
•Little Red Schoolhouse — now used as the Scottsdale Historical Museum, NRHP-listed
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 278.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 First 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at First Mesa, AZ before the return drive.
