How far is Mesa, AZ from Parks, AZ?
The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to Parks, AZ is about 176.8 miles (284.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.2 miles (204.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m 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 03h 11m.
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 in Yavapai County, Arizona
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 Parks.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa and Parks.
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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
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
1363 ft · 18 sec · Arizona Veterans Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 West, Los Angeles
1817 ft · 45 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
17 mi · 17 min · Purple Heart Trail
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Parks Road
1470 ft · 41 sec
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20
Turn right onto Garland Praire Road
714 ft · 26 sec · Garland Praire Road
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21
Turn left onto Park Road
2944 ft · 1 min · Park Road
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22
Turn right onto Spring Valley Road
80 m · 7 sec · Spring Valley Road
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Spring Valley Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mesa and Parks.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Arizona Veterans Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
77.3 mi · 01h 18m
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 Parks.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mesa to Parks?
The road trip is about 176.8 miles (284.6 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Cordes Lakes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.5 miles from Mesa and 88.4 miles from Parks.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.2 miles (204.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.6 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 10:38 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.89 one way or $61.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mesa and Sunny near Parks.
Stop Ideas Near Cordes Lakes
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Casa Perez Mexican Restaurant
Dewey-Humboldt Public Library
American Legion
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cordes Lakes.
Camp Verde, Arizona
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mesa and Parks. Straight-line distance: 127.22 mi (204.74 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 Parks
Human settlement in Louisiana, United States of America
| Population | 1,188 |
| Coordinates | 35.2605700, -111.9487700 |
| Altitude | 2158 |
| Country | United States |
End: Parks (-111.94877, 35.26057)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 285 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $30.89 | $61.79 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $33.31 | $66.62 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $34.73 | $69.46 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $39.72 | $79.45 |
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.