How far is Paulden, AZ from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from Paulden, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 134.6 miles (216.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.6 miles (173.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 29m 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 14m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paulden and Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paulden and Mesa.
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1
Start on Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
46 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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3
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
5 mi · 6 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
52 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
24 m · 1 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
42 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
45 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
3075 ft · 49 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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12
Turn left onto AZ 89A|none
2328 ft · 59 sec
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13
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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14
Continue on Fain Road
7.2 mi · 9 min · Fain Road
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15
Turn left onto Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
21.3 mi · 26 min · Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
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16
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
16.7 mi · 17 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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17
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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18
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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19
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
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20
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10.2 mi · 12 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
2173 ft · 41 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on AZ 101 Loop East
1 mi · 2 min
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23
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
24.9 mi · 29 min · Pima Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward McDowell Road
1807 ft · 46 sec
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25
Turn left onto East McDowell Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · East McDowell Road
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26
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.1 km · 1 min · North Alma School Road
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27
Turn left onto West McKellips Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · West McKellips Road
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28
Turn right onto North Mesa Drive
2 mi · 4 min · North Mesa Drive
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29
Turn left onto East University Drive
22 m · 2 sec · East University Drive
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paulden and Mesa.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pima Freeway
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
24.9 mi · 00h 29m
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 Paulden and Sunny near Mesa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paulden to Mesa?
The road trip is about 134.6 miles (216.6 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?
Black Canyon City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.6 miles from Paulden and 68 miles from Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.6 miles (173.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 27 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 2:00 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.52 one way or $47.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Paulden and Sunny near Mesa.
Stop Ideas Near Black Canyon City
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 Black Canyon City.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Camp Verde, Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Paulden and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 107.63 mi (173.22 km).
#1 Paulden
Census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona
| Population | 5,231 |
| Coordinates | 34.8855800, -112.4682300 |
| Altitude | 1344 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: East University Drive (-111.82264, 33.422353)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 217 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $23.52 | $47.03 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $25.36 | $50.71 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $26.44 | $52.88 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $30.24 | $60.48 |
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.