Star Valley, AZ to Mesa, AZ is 80.7 miles and takes about 1h 40m via South Beeline Highway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward, single-day journey. Expect a practical, turn-heavy local drive for the most part, making it ideal for those who prefer a less highway-centric experience. With minimal driving time and a low fuel cost, this trip is a convenient option for connecting these two Arizona locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.4 miles from Star Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Beeline Highway
73.1 mi
1h 26m
Payson-Show Low Highway
3.8 mi
6m
North Mesa Drive
2 mi
3m
West McKellips Road
1 mi
1m
North Country Club Drive
0.7 mi
1m
East University Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
South Beeline Highway
— 73.1 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Star Valley, AZ and Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 260
3.8 mi·6 min·Payson-Show Low Highway
2
Turn left onto AZ 87
73 mi·1 hr 26 min·South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on AZ 87
0.7 mi·1 min·North Country Club Drive
4
Turn left onto West McKellips Road
1.0 mi·1 min·West McKellips Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto North Mesa Drive
2.0 mi·3 min·North Mesa Drive
6
Turn left onto East University Drive
73 ft·1 sec·East University Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Arrive at destination
East University Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1h 40m duration and 80.7-mile distance, this trip offers considerable flexibility. You can depart anytime without needing to split the drive, making it perfect for a spontaneous outing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $16 estimated fuel cost is based on the entire journey, and it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially on local drives where stops might be less frequent. Planning for a few short breaks along the 73.1-mile stretch on South Beeline Highway can make the drive more comfortable.
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 40.4 miles from Star Valley, AZ, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 18 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.4 miles or 50m 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 23m
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 Star Valley, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Star Valley, AZ
This is one driving day of about 80.7 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Star Valley, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South Beeline Highway for about 73.1 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
4 of 4
4 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 80.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in|AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway
Turn left onto AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
77.7 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|West McKellips Road
Turn left onto West McKellips Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
78.7 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|North Mesa Drive
Turn right onto North Mesa Drive
Navigation decision point
6
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|East University Drive
Turn left onto East University Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.08 one way
$32.15 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$17.01
$34.03
premium
$5.59
$17.76
$35.53
diesel
$5.61
$17.82
$35.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.2
0
$8.47
$3.87
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.06
$3.23
EV Truck/SUV
32.3
0
$11.30
$5.16
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Star Valley, AZ
Late night
in Star Valley on Tuesday
Local time
1:09 AM
MST
Current temp
42°F
Clear
NE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 12:22PM MST until April 19 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 12:22PM MST until April 19 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Destination
Mesa, AZ
Late night
in Mesa on Tuesday
Local time
1:09 AM
MST
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 12:22PM MST until April 19 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 12:22PM MST until April 19 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
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
29 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
1h 40m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Tonto National Monument
National Monument
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
$10
near mile 50.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a turn-heavy local drive, featuring no highway percentage, meaning you'll be navigating surface streets and local roads for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 73.1 miles on the South Beeline Highway. While not a high-speed interstate cruise, the drive is generally manageable. Be prepared for frequent turns and transitions as you make your way from Star Valley to Mesa.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
7 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.1 mi on South Beeline Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in near AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Star Valley, AZ to Mesa, AZ is easy. At 1h 40m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles (AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 77.7 miles (West McKellips Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.7 miles (North Mesa Drive): Navigation decision point.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.1 miles on South Beeline Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles (AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 77.7 miles (West McKellips Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.7 miles (North Mesa Drive): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mesa, AZ before heading back.
