How far is Nogales, AZ from Mesa, AZ?

The driving distance from Nogales, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 180.6 miles (290.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 152.9 miles (246.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
180.56 mi
02h 45m
Flight
152.9 mi
246.07 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Nogales.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
152.9 mi
Kilometers
246.07 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
180.56 mi
Kilometers
290.59 km
Drive Time
02h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mesa
Thu, Apr 16, 6:30 AM MST
Return by in Nogales
Thu, Apr 16, 9:16 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Nogales
2026-04-16T03:44
Arrive Mesa
Thu, Apr 16, 6:30 AM MST
Route Timing
02h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:46 AM to 12:46 PM MST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:58 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Nogales
9:30 PM MST
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Marana
AZ

Town in Pima and Pinal counties in Arizona, United States

From Nogales
85 mi
01h 22m
To Mesa
95.6 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Nogales Weather
AZ
Live fallback forecast
82°F
Thursday
Using Tubac as the closest live forecast in the Santa Cruz County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM MST
Wind
7 to 17 mph S
Destination
89°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Nogales and Mesa.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Nogales and Mesa.

  1. 1

    Start on North Wayside Drive

    28 m · 5 sec · North Wayside Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Morley Avenue

    1374 ft · 1 min · North Morley Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left

    39 m · 9 sec

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Grand Avenue

    1.8 mi · 3 min · North Grand Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto West Mariposa Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · West Mariposa Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward I 19 North: Tucson

    1491 ft · 37 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Nogales–Tucson Highway

    60 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Nogales–Tucson Highway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Phoenix

    3178 ft · 49 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto South Freeway

    5.4 mi · 6 min · South Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

    50.7 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

    24.1 mi · 24 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert

    1404 ft · 54 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left

    5.8 mi · 9 min

  15. 15

    Continue on South Arizona Avenue

    11 mi · 19 min · South Arizona Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on South Country Club Drive

    4 mi · 7 min · South Country Club Drive

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West University Drive

    1.6 km · 2 min · West University Drive

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East University Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Nogales and Mesa.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Nogales–Tucson Highway
60 mi · 33%
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.5 mi · 30%
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
24.1 mi · 13%
South Arizona Avenue
11 mi · 6%
South Freeway
5.39 mi · 3%
South Country Club Drive
4.04 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Nogales–Tucson Highway

Merge slight left onto Nogales–Tucson Highway

60 mi · 01h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.7 mi
152.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marana
01h 22m from Nogales
Leave By
12:58 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Nogales and Partly Sunny near Mesa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Nogales to Mesa?

The road trip is about 180.6 miles (290.6 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?

Marana is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85 miles from Nogales and 95.6 miles from Mesa.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 152.9 miles (246.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.7 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 12:58 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.54 one way or $63.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Nogales and Partly Sunny near Mesa.

Stop Ideas Near Marana

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Marana, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Marana.

RAIL

Tucson

34 mi away
400 North Toole Avenue
RAIL

Benson

102 mi away
105 E. 4th Street
RAIL

Maricopa

103 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Nogales and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 152.9 mi (246.07 km).

Nogales

#1 Nogales

City in and county seat of Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States, on the Mexican border

Population20,107
Coordinates31.3403800, -110.9342500
Altitude1168
CountryUnited States
Mesa

#2 Mesa

The fourth most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Mesa metropolitan area.

Population528,159
Coordinates33.4222700, -111.8226400
Altitude378
CountryUnited States
Start: North Wayside Drive (-110.934362, 31.340306)
End: East University Drive (-111.82264, 33.422353)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 291 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.37 gal
24.12 L · about $31.54
Round trip
$63.08
12.74 gal · 48.24 L
Estimated CO2
56.6 kg one way
Round trip: 113.2 kg / 250 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $31.54 $63.08
Mid-grade $5.34 $34.00 $68.01
Premium $5.57 $35.46 $70.91
Diesel $6.37 $40.55 $81.10

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Nogales and Mesa. The current time is 03:44:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.