How far is El Mirage, AZ from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from El Mirage, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 42.4 miles (68.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.8 miles (51.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m 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 00h 49m.
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.
Urban village in Phoenix, 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 El Mirage and Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Mirage and Mesa.
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1
Start on North El Mirage Road
1476 ft · 53 sec · North El Mirage Road
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2
Turn left onto West Thunderbird Road
1.1 km · 1 min · West Thunderbird Road
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3
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
3.3 mi · 6 min · Grand Avenue
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4
Take the exit right toward AZ 101 Loop South
1947 ft · 47 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Agua Fria Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Phoenix
1.3 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
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8
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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9
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
11.2 mi · 13 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Alma School Road
2116 ft · 57 sec
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14
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Alma School Road
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15
Turn left onto West University Drive
2 mi · 4 min · West University Drive
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between El Mirage 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.
Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
11.2 mi · 00h 13m
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 El Mirage and Sunny near Mesa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from El Mirage to Mesa?
The road trip is about 42.4 miles (68.2 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?
Maryvale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.2 miles from El Mirage and 21.2 miles from Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.8 miles (51.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:50 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.43 one way or $14.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around El Mirage and Sunny near Mesa.
Stop Ideas Near Maryvale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
The Phoenix Police Museum
City of Peoria Municipal Operations Center
Tolleson City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maryvale.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between El Mirage and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 31.78 mi (51.14 km).
#1 El Mirage
City in Arizona
| Population | 36,481 |
| Coordinates | 33.6130900, -112.3246000 |
| Altitude | 349 |
| 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: 68 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $7.43 | $14.85 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $8.01 | $16.01 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $8.35 | $16.70 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $9.55 | $19.10 |
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.