How far is Mesa, AZ from Rio Rico, AZ?
The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to Rio Rico, AZ is about 161.7 miles (260.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.5 miles (231 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 17m 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 08m.
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.
Town in Pima and Pinal counties in 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 Rio Rico.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa and Rio Rico.
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1
Start on East University Drive
1.6 km · 2 min · East University Drive
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2
Turn left onto North Country Club Drive
4 mi · 7 min · North Country Club Drive
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3
Continue on North Arizona Avenue
11 mi · 19 min · North Arizona Avenue
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4
Continue straight
6.1 mi · 9 min
-
5
Take the ramp left toward I 10 East: Tucson
1507 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
23.5 mi · 24 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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7
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi · 56 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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8
Continue on North Freeway
5.4 mi · 6 min · North Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 19 South: Nogales
2436 ft · 38 sec
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10
Continue on Nogales–Tucson Highway
52.2 mi · 56 min · Nogales–Tucson Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Rio Rico Drive, Yavapai Drive
1411 ft · 43 sec
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12
Turn left onto Rio Rico Drive
1.3 mi · 3 min · Rio Rico Drive
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13
Turn right onto Pendleton Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Pendleton Drive
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14
Turn left onto Avenida Coatimundi
1544 ft · 49 sec · Avenida Coatimundi
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15
Turn left onto Avenida Leon
1650 ft · 1 min · Avenida Leon
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16
Turn left onto Yeso Court
89 m · 20 sec · Yeso Court
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17
Turn left
62 m · 15 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mesa and Rio Rico.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi · 00h 56m
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 Rio Rico.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mesa to Rio Rico?
The road trip is about 161.7 miles (260.2 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?
Marana is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81 miles from Mesa and 80.7 miles from Rio Rico.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.5 miles (231 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 10:42 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.27 one way or $56.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mesa and Sunny near Rio Rico.
Stop Ideas Near Marana
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 Marana.
Tucson
Benson
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mesa and Rio Rico. Straight-line distance: 143.53 mi (230.99 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 Rio Rico
Rio Rico is a place in Arizona, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 31.4714800, -110.9764800 |
| Altitude | 1061 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rio Rico (-110.97648, 31.47148)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 260 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $28.27 | $56.54 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $30.48 | $60.96 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $31.78 | $63.56 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $36.35 | $72.70 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.