How far is Mesa, AZ from Kayenta, AZ?
The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to Kayenta, AZ is about 310.3 miles (499.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 245 miles (394.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 51m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mesa and Kayenta.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa and Kayenta.
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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
77.3 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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15
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1 km · 44 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
2458 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
5.1 mi · 6 min · Purple Heart Trail
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 89 North: Page
1412 ft · 36 sec
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19
Turn left onto Country Club Drive
2753 ft · 51 sec · Country Club Drive
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20
Turn right onto Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
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21
Continue on US Highway 89
6.4 mi · 9 min · US Highway 89
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22
Continue on Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
37.8 mi · 45 min · Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cameron–Bitter Springs Highway
47 m · 3 sec · Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
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24
Exit the rotary onto Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
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25
Continue on US 89
1419 ft · 27 sec · US 89
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26
Continue on Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
13.9 mi · 16 min · Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
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27
Turn right onto Navajo Trail
82.1 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Navajo Trail
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28
Turn left onto Kayenta-Utah State Line Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Kayenta-Utah State Line Highway
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29
Turn left
647 ft · 33 sec
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30
Turn left onto Comb Ridge Road
13 m · 2 sec · Comb Ridge Road
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Comb Ridge Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mesa and Kayenta.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Navajo Trail
Turn right onto Navajo Trail
82.1 mi · 01h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Mesa and Sunny near Kayenta.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mesa to Kayenta?
The road trip is about 310.3 miles (499.4 km) and usually takes 05h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kachina Village is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.3 miles from Mesa and 155 miles from Kayenta.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 245 miles (394.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 65.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:16 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.21 one way or $108.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Mesa and Kayenta, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mesa and Sunny near Kayenta.
Stop Ideas Near Kachina Village
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Postal Service
Flagstaff City Hall
Flagstaff Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kachina Village.
Flagstaff (Greyhound), Arizona
Flagstaff Station
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Williams, Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mesa and Kayenta. Straight-line distance: 244.99 mi (394.27 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 Kayenta
Census designated place in Navajo County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 5,189 |
| Coordinates | 36.7277800, -110.2545800 |
| Altitude | 1719 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kayenta (-110.25458, 36.72778)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 499 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $54.21 | $108.43 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $58.45 | $116.90 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $60.95 | $121.90 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $69.71 | $139.42 |
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.