How far is Lake Montezuma, AZ from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from Lake Montezuma, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 115.5 miles (185.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 83.6 miles (134.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 48m 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 54m.
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
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 Lake Montezuma and Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Montezuma and Mesa.
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1
Start on North Montezuma Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Montezuma Avenue
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2
Keep slight left to continue on North Montezuma Avenue
100 m · 9 sec · North Montezuma Avenue
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3
Turn straight onto East Beaver Creek Road
1.9 mi · 5 min · East Beaver Creek Road
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4
Continue on East Cornville Road
655 ft · 17 sec · East Cornville Road
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5
Take the ramp left
1494 ft · 38 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
47.2 mi · 47 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 Lake Montezuma 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.
Arizona Veterans Highway
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
47.2 mi · 00h 47m
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 Lake Montezuma and Sunny near Mesa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Montezuma to Mesa?
The road trip is about 115.5 miles (185.8 km) and usually takes 01h 54m 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?
Black Canyon City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.5 miles from Lake Montezuma and 58 miles from Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 83.6 miles (134.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.9 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 2:42 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.15 one way or $40.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Montezuma and Sunny near Mesa.
Stop Ideas Near Black Canyon City
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 Black Canyon City.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Camp Verde, Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Montezuma and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 83.64 mi (134.61 km).
#1 Lake Montezuma
Census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona
| Population | 4,706 |
| Coordinates | 34.6322400, -111.7779300 |
| Altitude | 1052 |
| 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: 186 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $20.15 | $40.30 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $21.73 | $43.45 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $22.65 | $45.31 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $25.91 | $51.82 |
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.