How far is Mesa, AZ from Glendale, AZ?
The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to Glendale, AZ is about 26.8 miles (43.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.4 miles (36.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The fifth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mesa and Glendale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa and Glendale.
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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
1.5 km · 1 min · Papago Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue
1745 ft · 47 sec
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10
Turn right onto North 19th Avenue
1358 ft · 36 sec · North 19th Avenue
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11
Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue
7.1 mi · 12 min · Grand Avenue
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mesa and Glendale.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Red Mountain Freeway
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
10.9 mi · 00h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Mesa and Clear near Glendale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mesa to Glendale?
The road trip is about 26.8 miles (43.2 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Phoenix is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.1 miles from Mesa and 13.7 miles from Glendale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.4 miles (36.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.70 one way or $9.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mesa and Clear near Glendale.
Stop Ideas Near Phoenix
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
The Phoenix Police Museum
Tempe Economic Development
Tempe City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Phoenix.
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mesa and Glendale. Straight-line distance: 22.43 mi (36.1 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 Glendale
The second most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 255,307 |
| Coordinates | 33.5386500, -112.1859900 |
| Altitude | 351 |
| Country | United States |
End: US 60 (-112.186, 33.538642)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 43 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $4.70 | $9.41 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $5.07 | $10.14 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $5.29 | $10.58 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $6.05 | $12.10 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.