How far is Parker, AZ from Mesa, AZ?

The driving distance from Parker, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 171.2 miles (275.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 150.3 miles (241.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m 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
171.18 mi
02h 56m
Flight
150.29 mi
241.87 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Parker.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
150.29 mi
Kilometers
241.87 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
171.18 mi
Kilometers
275.49 km
Drive Time
02h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mesa
Wed, Apr 22, 2:15 PM MST
Return by in Parker
Wed, Apr 22, 5:11 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Parker
2026-04-22T11:19
Arrive Mesa
Wed, Apr 22, 2:15 PM MST
Route Timing
02h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM MST

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

Leave by
12:38 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Parker
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
Salome
AZ

Census-designated place in La Paz County, Arizona, United States

From Parker
89.2 mi
01h 28m
To Mesa
82 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MST
Wind
2 to 12 mph W
Destination
87°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on California Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · California Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway

  3. 3

    Continue on Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway

    19.6 mi · 22 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on North Central Boulevard

    3.1 mi · 4 min · North Central Boulevard

  5. 5

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Riggles Road

    965 ft · 23 sec · Riggles Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    2715 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

    104.7 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Papago Freeway

    19.8 mi · 23 min · Papago Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

    2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

  11. 11

    Continue on Papago Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East

    564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway

    1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway

    11.2 mi · 13 min · Red Mountain Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Alma School Road

    2116 ft · 57 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Alma School Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · North Alma School Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West University Drive

    2 mi · 4 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 Parker 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
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
105 mi · 61%
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
30.9 mi · 18%
Papago Freeway
21.2 mi · 12%
Red Mountain Freeway
11.6 mi · 7%
North Central Boulevard
3.05 mi · 2%
West University Drive
1.95 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

105 mi · 01h 46m

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 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.9 mi
150.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Salome
01h 28m from Parker
Leave By
12:38 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Parker and Sunny near Mesa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 171.2 miles (275.5 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?

Salome is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.2 miles from Parker and 82 miles from Mesa.

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

The direct path is about 150.3 miles (241.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.9 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 12:38 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.90 one way or $59.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Parker and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 150.29 mi (241.87 km).

Parker

#1 Parker

Town in and county seat of La Paz County, Arizona, United States

Population3,281
Coordinates34.1500200, -114.2891200
Altitude129
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: South California Avenue (-114.288929, 34.150098)
End: East University Drive (-111.82264, 33.422353)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 275 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.04 gal
22.87 L · about $29.90
Round trip
$59.81
12.08 gal · 45.74 L
Estimated CO2
53.7 kg one way
Round trip: 107.4 kg / 237 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $29.90 $59.81
Mid-grade $5.34 $32.24 $64.48
Premium $5.57 $33.62 $67.24
Diesel $6.37 $38.45 $76.90

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Parker and Mesa. The current time is 11:19:35.

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.