How far is Colorado City, AZ from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from Colorado City, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 386.5 miles (622 km), with a travel time of about 06h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 06h 30m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Coconino County, Arizona.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Colorado City and Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colorado City and Mesa.
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1
Start on Heritage Lane
21 m · 5 sec · Heritage Lane
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2
Turn right onto West Township Avenue
137 m · 14 sec · West Township Avenue
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3
Turn right onto South Central Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Central Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Short Creek–Fredonia Highway
29.7 mi · 35 min · Short Creek–Fredonia Highway
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5
Continue on West Pratt Street
2962 ft · 1 min · West Pratt Street
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6
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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7
Continue on Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway
83.6 mi · 1 hr 54 min · Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway
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8
At the end of the road, turn right onto Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
56.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
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9
Continue on US 89
1421 ft · 27 sec · US 89
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10
Continue on Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cameron–Bitter Springs Highway
47 m · 3 sec · Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
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12
Exit the rotary onto Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
37.9 mi · 45 min · Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
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13
Continue on US Highway 89
6.4 mi · 9 min · US Highway 89
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14
Continue on Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
2.3 mi · 4 min · Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
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15
Turn left onto Country Club Drive
1786 ft · 51 sec · Country Club Drive
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16
Take the exit right
1952 ft · 48 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
4.7 mi · 5 min · Purple Heart Trail
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
907 ft · 17 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
1 mi · 2 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
93 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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21
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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22
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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23
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
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24
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
24.8 mi · 29 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
968 ft · 15 sec
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26
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
1.3 km · 1 min
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27
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
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28
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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29
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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30
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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31
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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32
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
11.2 mi · 13 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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33
Take the exit slight right toward Alma School Road
2116 ft · 57 sec
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34
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Alma School Road
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35
Turn left onto West University Drive
2 mi · 4 min · West University Drive
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colorado City and Mesa.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Arizona Veterans Highway
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
93 mi · 01h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Colorado City and Sunny near Mesa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Colorado City to Mesa?
The road trip is about 386.5 miles (622 km) and usually takes 06h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Flagstaff is a useful midpoint, sitting about 192.9 miles from Colorado City and 193.6 miles from Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 131.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MST. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $67.53 one way or $135.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 121.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Colorado City and Sunny near Mesa.
Stop Ideas Near Flagstaff
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Flagstaff.
Flagstaff Station
Flagstaff (Greyhound), Arizona
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Williams, Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Colorado City and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 254.97 mi (410.33 km).
#1 Colorado City
City in Mitchell County, Texas
| Population | 4,906 |
| Coordinates | 36.9902600, -112.9757700 |
| Altitude | 1517 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Mesa
The fourth most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Mesa metropolitan area.
| Population | 528,159 |
| Coordinates | 33.4222700, -111.8226400 |
| Altitude | 378 |
| Country | United States |
End: East University Drive (-111.82264, 33.422353)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 622 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $67.53 | $135.06 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $72.81 | $145.62 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $75.92 | $151.84 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $86.83 | $173.66 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Arizona · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.