How far is First Mesa, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance from First Mesa, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 285.1 miles (458.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.5 miles (303.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 04h 24m.
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.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between First Mesa and Tempe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between First Mesa and Tempe.
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1
Start on the route
1031 ft · 48 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left
87 m · 14 sec
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3
Turn right
75 m · 12 sec
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
7.7 mi · 10 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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5
Turn left onto Winslow–Kayenta Highway
16.7 mi · 19 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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6
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi · 5 min · AZ 87
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7
Continue on Winslow–Kayenta Highway
38.8 mi · 45 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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8
Take the ramp right
2575 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
61.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Purple Heart Trail
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
907 ft · 17 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
1 mi · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
93 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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13
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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14
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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15
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
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16
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
24.8 mi · 29 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
968 ft · 15 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
1.3 km · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
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20
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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21
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
7.9 mi · 9 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward McClintock Drive
2346 ft · 50 sec
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26
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
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27
Turn right onto East Apache Boulevard
18 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between First Mesa and Tempe.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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 First Mesa and Sunny near Tempe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from First Mesa to Tempe?
The road trip is about 285.1 miles (458.8 km) and usually takes 04h 24m 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?
Mountainaire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.3 miles from First Mesa and 143.8 miles from Tempe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188.5 miles (303.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 96.6 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 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:10 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.81 one way or $99.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around First Mesa and Sunny near Tempe.
Stop Ideas Near Mountainaire
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Sedona Dog Park
United States Postal Service
Flagstaff City Hall
Sedona
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mountainaire.
Flagstaff (Greyhound), Arizona
Flagstaff Station
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Williams, Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between First Mesa and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 188.53 mi (303.41 km).
#1 First Mesa
Census designated place
| Population | 1,555 |
| Coordinates | 35.8366700, -110.3815200 |
| Altitude | 1771 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tempe
The third most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 200,402 |
| Coordinates | 33.4147700, -111.9093100 |
| Altitude | 360 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Apache Boulevard (-111.909309, 33.414838)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 459 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $49.81 | $99.61 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $53.70 | $107.40 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $55.99 | $111.99 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $64.04 | $128.08 |
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.