How far is Cordes Lakes, AZ from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from Cordes Lakes, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 84.8 miles (136.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 63.3 miles (101.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 53m 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 26m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cordes Lakes and Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cordes Lakes and Mesa.
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1
Start on East Ash Creek Road
42 m · 9 sec · East Ash Creek Road
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2
Turn right onto South Black Mountain Road
2150 ft · 2 min · South Black Mountain Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Stagecoach Trail
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Stagecoach Trail
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4
Turn left onto Arcosanti Road
1240 ft · 44 sec · Arcosanti Road
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5
Turn left
1838 ft · 45 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
17.1 mi · 17 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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7
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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8
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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9
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
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10
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
24.8 mi · 29 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
968 ft · 15 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
1.3 km · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
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14
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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15
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
11.2 mi · 13 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Alma School Road
2116 ft · 57 sec
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20
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Alma School Road
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21
Turn left onto West University Drive
2 mi · 4 min · West University Drive
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cordes Lakes 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.
Black Canyon Freeway
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
24.8 mi · 00h 29m
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 Cordes Lakes and Sunny near Mesa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cordes Lakes to Mesa?
The road trip is about 84.8 miles (136.5 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?
New River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.1 miles from Cordes Lakes and 42.7 miles from Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 63.3 miles (101.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 3:36 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.80 one way or $29.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cordes Lakes and Sunny near Mesa.
Stop Ideas Near New River
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 New River.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Camp Verde, Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cordes Lakes and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 63.27 mi (101.82 km).
#1 Cordes Lakes
Census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona
| Population | 2,633 |
| Coordinates | 34.3078100, -112.1034900 |
| Altitude | 1126 |
| 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: 136 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $14.80 | $29.61 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $15.96 | $31.92 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $16.64 | $33.28 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $19.03 | $38.07 |
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.