How far is Congress, AZ from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from Congress, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 99.2 miles (159.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.1 miles (125.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 45m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
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 Congress and Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Congress and Mesa.
-
1
Start on Aguila-Congress Junction Highway
1979 ft · 1 min · Aguila-Congress Junction Highway
-
2
Turn right onto Wickenburg-Prescott Highway
6.6 mi · 9 min · Wickenburg-Prescott Highway
-
3
Continue on S STATE ROUTE 89
2.5 mi · 3 min · S STATE ROUTE 89
-
4
Continue on Wickenburg-Prescott Highway
3232 ft · 1 min · Wickenburg-Prescott Highway
-
5
Merge slight right onto Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
3042 ft · 1 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
-
7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
42 m · 6 sec · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
-
8
Exit the roundabout onto Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
1.2 mi · 3 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
-
9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
42 m · 4 sec · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
-
10
Exit the roundabout onto Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
1.4 km · 2 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
1.4 km · 2 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
2607 ft · 1 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
-
13
Continue on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
32 m · 4 sec · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
-
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Wickenburg-Phoenix Highway
61 m · 9 sec · East Wickenburg Way
-
16
Exit the rotary onto East Wickenburg Way
1.5 mi · 3 min · East Wickenburg Way
-
17
Continue on Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
8.7 mi · 11 min · Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
-
18
Continue on Grand Avenue
5.2 mi · 6 min · Grand Avenue
-
19
Continue on Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
-
20
Continue on Grand Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · Grand Avenue
-
21
Keep slight right to continue on Grand Avenue
20.4 mi · 30 min · Grand Avenue
-
22
Take the exit right toward AZ 101 Loop South
1947 ft · 47 sec
-
23
Merge slight left onto Agua Fria Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Phoenix
1.3 km · 1 min
-
25
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
-
26
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
-
27
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
-
29
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
-
30
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
11.2 mi · 13 min · Red Mountain Freeway
-
31
Take the exit slight right toward Alma School Road
2116 ft · 57 sec
-
32
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Alma School Road
-
33
Turn left onto West University Drive
2 mi · 4 min · West University Drive
-
34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Congress and Mesa.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Grand Avenue
Keep slight right to continue on Grand Avenue
20.4 mi · 00h 30m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Congress and Sunny near Mesa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Congress to Mesa?
The road trip is about 99.2 miles (159.6 km) and usually takes 01h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Sun City West is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.4 miles from Congress and 52.8 miles from Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.1 miles (125.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:00 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.33 one way or $34.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Congress and Sunny near Mesa.
Stop Ideas Near Sun City West
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking
Surprise City Hall
City of Surprise: Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sun City West.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Congress and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 78.11 mi (125.7 km).
#1 Congress
Census-designated Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 1,975 |
| Coordinates | 34.1625300, -112.8507400 |
| Altitude | 930 |
| 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: 160 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $17.33 | $34.66 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $18.68 | $37.37 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $19.48 | $38.96 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $22.28 | $44.56 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.