How far is Mesa, AZ from Cordes Lakes, AZ?
The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to Cordes Lakes, AZ is about 82.8 miles (133.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 63.3 miles (101.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 16m 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 38m.
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 in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
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 Cordes Lakes.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa and Cordes Lakes.
-
1
Start on East University Drive
2 mi · 4 min · East University Drive
-
2
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Alma School Road
-
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
-
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
-
7
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
-
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
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 17 North: Flagstaff
1.1 km · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
38.3 mi · 42 min · Black Canyon Freeway
-
12
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
-
13
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi · 14 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
1380 ft · 17 sec
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Cordes Lakes Rd
1713 ft · 42 sec
-
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cordes Lakes Road
0 m · 1 sec · Cordes Lakes Road
-
17
Exit the roundabout onto Cordes Lakes Road
112 m · 12 sec · Cordes Lakes Road
-
18
Turn right onto Stagecoach Trail
1.3 mi · 3 min · Stagecoach Trail
-
19
Turn right onto South Black Mountain Road
2150 ft · 2 min · South Black Mountain Road
-
20
Turn left onto East Ash Creek Road
42 m · 6 sec · East Ash Creek Road
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Ash Creek Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mesa and Cordes Lakes.
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 Sunny near Cordes Lakes.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mesa to Cordes Lakes?
The road trip is about 82.8 miles (133.2 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?
New River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.4 miles from Mesa and 41.3 miles from Cordes Lakes.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 63.3 miles (101.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 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 3:14 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.46 one way or $28.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mesa and Sunny near Cordes Lakes.
Stop Ideas Near New River
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 New River.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Camp Verde, Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mesa and Cordes Lakes. Straight-line distance: 63.27 mi (101.82 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 Cordes Lakes
Census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona
| Population | 2,633 |
| Coordinates | 34.3078100, -112.1034900 |
| Altitude | 1126 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cordes Lakes (-112.10349, 34.30781)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 133 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $14.46 | $28.91 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $15.59 | $31.17 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $16.25 | $32.51 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $18.59 | $37.18 |
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.