How far is Mesa, AZ from Cottonwood, AZ?
The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ is about 119.4 miles (192.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91.6 miles (147.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 39m 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 02h 19m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mesa and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa and Cottonwood.
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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
8.9 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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13
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi · 14 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
24.9 mi · 25 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
2375 ft · 1 min
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16
Turn left onto Finnie Flat Road
128 m · 12 sec · Finnie Flat Road
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17
Continue on Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
2478 ft · 59 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
51 m · 8 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
2331 ft · 41 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
52 m · 7 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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22
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
52 m · 3 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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24
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
44 m · 6 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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26
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
51 m · 7 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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28
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
44 m · 6 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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30
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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31
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
57 m · 8 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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32
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
4.7 mi · 7 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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33
Continue on South Main Street
128 m · 12 sec · South Main Street
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34
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mesa and Cottonwood.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Mesa and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mesa to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 119.4 miles (192.2 km) and usually takes 02h 19m 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 59.8 miles from Mesa and 59.7 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 91.6 miles (147.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.8 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 1:50 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.84 one way or $41.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Mesa and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
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 Mesa and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 91.62 mi (147.45 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 Cottonwood
City in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 11,818 |
| Coordinates | 34.7391900, -112.0098800 |
| Altitude | 1014 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-112.00988, 34.73919)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 192 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $20.84 | $41.69 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $22.47 | $44.95 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $23.43 | $46.87 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $26.80 | $53.60 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.