How far is Mesa, AZ from San Carlos, AZ?
The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to San Carlos, AZ is about 96.7 miles (155.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 79.1 miles (127.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 24m 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 12m.
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.
Town in Pinal County, 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 San Carlos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa and San Carlos.
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1
Start on East University Drive
22 m · 9 sec · East University Drive
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2
Turn left onto North Mesa Drive
2619 ft · 56 sec · North Mesa Drive
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3
Continue on South Mesa Drive
2 mi · 4 min · South Mesa Drive
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4
Turn left onto US 60 East: Globe
2094 ft · 55 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway
18.5 mi · 21 min · Superstition Freeway
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6
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi · 56 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway
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7
Continue on Live Oak Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · Live Oak Street
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8
Continue on US 60
4 mi · 8 min · US 60
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9
Continue on North Broad Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street
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10
Turn left onto North Broad Street
2703 ft · 1 min · North Broad Street
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11
Turn left onto East Oak Street
112 m · 9 sec · East Oak Street
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12
Turn right onto South Hill Street
1816 ft · 40 sec · South Hill Street
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13
Turn left onto East Ash Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street
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14
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
17.1 mi · 21 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
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16
Turn left onto Indian Route 170
796 ft · 20 sec · Indian Route 170
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Indian Route 170
3.4 mi · 6 min · Indian Route 170
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Aravaipa Road
815 ft · 22 sec · Aravaipa Road
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Aravaipa Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mesa and San Carlos.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi · 00h 56m
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.
Sunny leaving Mesa and Sunny near San Carlos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mesa to San Carlos?
The road trip is about 96.7 miles (155.6 km) and usually takes 02h 12m 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?
Superior is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.2 miles from Mesa and 48.4 miles from San Carlos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 79.1 miles (127.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:06 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.94 one way or $31.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mesa and Sunny near San Carlos.
Stop Ideas Near Superior
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 Superior.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Maricopa
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mesa and San Carlos. Straight-line distance: 79.08 mi (127.26 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 San Carlos
Located within Gila County in eastern Arizona at an elevation of 2,628 feet, this community lies situated in a semi-arid region defined by river valleys and rugged terrain.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.3456200, -110.4550400 |
| Altitude | 801 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Carlos (-110.45504, 33.34562)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 156 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $15.94 | $31.88 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $17.17 | $34.33 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $18.29 | $36.58 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $21.39 | $42.78 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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