How far is Mesa, AZ from South Tucson, AZ?
The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to South Tucson, AZ is about 106.8 miles (171.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 98 miles (157.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 10m 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 05m.
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.
City 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 South Tucson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa and South Tucson.
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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
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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
4.6 mi · 5 min · North Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward 22nd Street - 29th Street, Starr Pass Boulevard, Silverlake Road
1986 ft · 39 sec
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10
Continue on South Freeway Road
115 m · 8 sec · South Freeway Road
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11
Turn left onto West 22nd Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West 22nd Street
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12
Turn right onto South 6th Avenue
2677 ft · 58 sec · South 6th Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 6th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mesa and South Tucson.
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 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 South Tucson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mesa to South Tucson?
The road trip is about 106.8 miles (171.9 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?
Eloy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.5 miles from Mesa and 53.4 miles from South Tucson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 98 miles (157.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 2:20 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.67 one way or $37.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mesa and Sunny near South Tucson.
Stop Ideas Near Eloy
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 Eloy.
Maricopa
Tucson
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mesa and South Tucson. Straight-line distance: 97.97 mi (157.67 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 South Tucson
City in Pima County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 5,742 |
| Coordinates | 32.1995200, -110.9684200 |
| Altitude | 739 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Tucson (-110.96842, 32.19952)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 172 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $18.67 | $37.33 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $20.12 | $40.25 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $20.98 | $41.97 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $24.00 | $48.00 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.