How far is Mesa, AZ from Anthem, AZ?
The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to Anthem, AZ is about 48.4 miles (77.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36 miles (57.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 02m 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 01m.
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.
The second most populous city in Arizona.
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 Mesa and Anthem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa and Anthem.
-
1
Start on East University Drive
2 mi · 4 min · East University Drive
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2
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Alma School Road
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3
Turn left onto AZ 202 Loop West
1717 ft · 46 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
10.9 mi · 13 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 West
1 mi · 1 min
-
6
Merge slight right onto Papago Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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7
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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8
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff
1069 ft · 17 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 17 North: Flagstaff
1.1 km · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
27.6 mi · 31 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Anthem Way
2654 ft · 1 min
-
13
Turn left onto West Anthem Way
917 ft · 29 sec · West Anthem Way
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14
Turn slight left
89 m · 17 sec
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15
Turn left onto North 41st Drive
1487 ft · 1 min · North 41st Drive
-
16
Turn left
24 m · 6 sec
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17
Turn right
73 m · 17 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mesa and Anthem.
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
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
27.6 mi · 00h 31m
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 Mesa and Sunny near Anthem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mesa to Anthem?
The road trip is about 48.4 miles (77.9 km) and usually takes 01h 01m 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?
Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.2 miles from Mesa and 24.2 miles from Anthem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36 miles (57.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 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 4:28 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.99 one way or $15.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mesa and Sunny near Anthem.
Stop Ideas Near Glendale
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 Glendale.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mesa and Anthem. Straight-line distance: 35.96 mi (57.87 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Anthem
Situated in the northern foothills of the Sonoran Desert north of Phoenix, this Maricopa County development sits at an elevation of roughly 1,864 feet.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.8672600, -112.1468200 |
| Altitude | 568 |
| Country | United States |
End: Anthem (-112.14682, 33.86726)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $7.99 | $15.99 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $8.61 | $17.22 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $9.17 | $18.34 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $10.73 | $21.45 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026