How far is Cottonwood, AZ from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from Cottonwood, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 304.1 miles (489.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 213.4 miles (343.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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 05h 18m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Coconino 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 Cottonwood and Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood and Mesa.
-
1
Start on the route
962 ft · 42 sec
-
2
Continue straight
152 m · 27 sec
-
3
Turn left onto Navajo Route 4
6.4 mi · 15 min · Navajo Route 4
-
4
Continue on Indian Route 4
1.8 mi · 4 min · Indian Route 4
-
5
Continue on Navajo Route 4
4 mi · 10 min · Navajo Route 4
-
6
Turn left onto Navajo Route 65
1.9 mi · 5 min · Navajo Route 65
-
7
Continue on Indian Route 65
2.8 mi · 7 min · Indian Route 65
-
8
Continue on Navajo Route 65
1.3 mi · 3 min · Navajo Route 65
-
9
Continue on Hopi Route 65
8.4 mi · 20 min · Hopi Route 65
-
10
Continue on Indian Route 60
6.6 mi · 16 min · Indian Route 60
-
11
Turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
11.7 mi · 14 min · Arizona State Highway 264
-
12
Turn left onto Winslow–Kayenta Highway
16.7 mi · 19 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
-
13
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi · 5 min · AZ 87
-
14
Continue on Winslow–Kayenta Highway
40.1 mi · 47 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
-
15
Continue on East 3rd Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · East 3rd Street
-
16
Turn left onto North Williamson Avenue
112 m · 8 sec · North Williamson Avenue
-
17
Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway
18.3 mi · 27 min · Payson-Winslow Highway
-
18
Continue on State Highway 87
18.9 mi · 28 min · State Highway 87
-
19
Continue on Starlight Drive
105 m · 6 sec · Starlight Drive
-
20
Continue on State Route 87
6 mi · 9 min · State Route 87
-
21
Continue on State Highway 87
8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 87
-
22
Continue on Payson–Winslow Highway
631 ft · 10 sec · Payson–Winslow Highway
-
23
Continue on State Route 87
11.8 mi · 16 min · State Route 87
-
24
Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway
7.5 mi · 11 min · Payson-Winslow Highway
-
25
Continue on North AZ Highway 87
2253 ft · 55 sec · North AZ Highway 87
-
26
Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · Payson-Winslow Highway
-
27
Continue on Arizona State Highway 87
1.4 mi · 2 min · Arizona State Highway 87
-
28
Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway
10.8 mi · 16 min · Payson-Winslow Highway
-
29
Continue on Arizona State Highway 87
2.6 mi · 4 min · Arizona State Highway 87
-
30
Continue on North Beeline Highway
660 ft · 12 sec · North Beeline Highway
-
31
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Payson-Winslow Highway
37 m · 2 sec · North Beeline Highway
-
32
Exit the rotary onto North Beeline Highway
3063 ft · 1 min · North Beeline Highway
-
33
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Payson-Winslow Highway
45 m · 3 sec · North Beeline Highway
-
34
Exit the rotary onto North Beeline Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Beeline Highway
-
35
Continue on South Beeline Highway
73.1 mi · 1 hr 27 min · South Beeline Highway
-
36
Continue on North Country Club Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · North Country Club Drive
-
37
Turn left onto West McKellips Road
1 mi · 2 min · West McKellips Road
-
38
Turn right onto North Mesa Drive
2 mi · 4 min · North Mesa Drive
-
39
Turn left onto East University Drive
22 m · 2 sec · East University Drive
-
40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottonwood and Mesa.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
South Beeline Highway
Continue on South Beeline Highway
73.1 mi · 01h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Cottonwood and Sunny near Mesa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cottonwood to Mesa?
The road trip is about 304.1 miles (489.4 km) and usually takes 05h 18m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
LeChee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.2 miles from Cottonwood and 166.9 miles from Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 213.4 miles (343.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 90.7 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 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:22 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.12 one way or $106.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Cottonwood and Mesa, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cottonwood and Sunny near Mesa.
Stop Ideas Near LeChee
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 LeChee.
Winslow
Flagstaff (Greyhound), Arizona
Flagstaff Station
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 213.42 mi (343.47 km).
#1 Cottonwood
City in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 12,762 |
| Coordinates | 36.0730600, -109.8923400 |
| Altitude | 1850 |
| 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: 489 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $53.12 | $106.25 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $57.28 | $114.55 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $59.72 | $119.45 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $68.31 | $136.61 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.