How far is Mesa, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 44 miles (70.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.7 miles (52.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m 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 00h 52m.
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.
Urban village in Phoenix, 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 Surprise.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa and Surprise.
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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
10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North
1.4 km · 1 min
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10
Continue on Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 60
1831 ft · 37 sec
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12
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
4.7 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue
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13
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
65 m · 11 sec · West Greenway Road
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14
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
1322 ft · 33 sec · Santa Fe Drive
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15
Turn right onto North Nash Street
1464 ft · 50 sec · North Nash Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mesa and Surprise.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Red Mountain Freeway
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
10.9 mi · 00h 13m
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 Surprise.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mesa to Surprise?
The road trip is about 44 miles (70.8 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Maryvale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.7 miles from Mesa and 22.3 miles from Surprise.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.7 miles (52.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:46 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.67 one way or $15.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mesa and Sunny near Surprise.
Stop Ideas Near Maryvale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Phoenix Police Museum
City of Peoria Municipal Operations Center
Tolleson City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maryvale.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mesa and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 32.74 mi (52.69 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 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Nash Street (-112.333438, 33.630589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 71 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $7.67 | $15.35 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $8.27 | $16.55 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $8.63 | $17.25 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $9.87 | $19.73 |
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.