How far is Mesa, AZ from Black Canyon City, AZ?
The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to Black Canyon City, AZ is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 29m 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 14m.
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.
Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mesa and Black Canyon City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa and Black Canyon City.
-
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
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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
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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
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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
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11
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
38.3 mi · 42 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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12
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Rock Springs, Black Canyon City
1495 ft · 44 sec
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14
Turn left onto Rock Springs Road
827 ft · 19 sec · Rock Springs Road
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Old Black Canyon Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Old Black Canyon Highway
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16
Turn right onto East Palm Lane
535 ft · 23 sec · East Palm Lane
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Palm Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mesa and Black Canyon City.
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
38.3 mi · 00h 42m
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 Clear near Black Canyon City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mesa to Black Canyon City?
The road trip is about 62.4 miles (100.5 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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 31.3 miles from Mesa and 31.2 miles from Black Canyon City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.8 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 4:00 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.89 one way or $21.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mesa and Clear near Black Canyon City.
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
Surprise City Hall
Phoenix 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 Black Canyon City. Straight-line distance: 48.62 mi (78.24 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 Black Canyon City
Census designated place
| Population | 2,837 |
| Coordinates | 34.0708700, -112.1507100 |
| Altitude | 602 |
| Country | United States |
End: Black Canyon City (-112.15071, 34.07087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 100 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $10.89 | $21.78 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $11.74 | $23.49 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $12.25 | $24.49 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $14.01 | $28.01 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.