How far is Prescott, AZ from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from Prescott, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 116.6 miles (187.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.6 miles (137.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 03m 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 01m.
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 Prescott and Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prescott and Mesa.
-
1
Start on East Goodwin Street
24 m · 7 sec · East Goodwin Street
-
2
Turn right onto South Cortez Street
700 ft · 35 sec · South Cortez Street
-
3
Turn right onto East Gurley Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Gurley Street
-
4
Continue on Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
32.7 mi · 45 min · Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
-
6
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
16.7 mi · 17 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
-
7
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
-
8
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
-
9
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
-
10
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
24.8 mi · 29 min · Black Canyon Freeway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
968 ft · 15 sec
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
1.3 km · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
-
14
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
-
15
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
11.2 mi · 13 min · Red Mountain Freeway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward Alma School Road
2116 ft · 57 sec
-
20
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Alma School Road
-
21
Turn left onto West University Drive
2 mi · 4 min · West University Drive
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Prescott 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.
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
Keep slight right to continue on Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
32.7 mi · 00h 45m
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 Prescott and Sunny near Mesa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Prescott to Mesa?
The road trip is about 116.6 miles (187.7 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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 58.1 miles from Prescott and 58.5 miles from Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.6 miles (137.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 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 2:26 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.35 one way or $40.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Prescott 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 Prescott and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 85.64 mi (137.82 km).
#1 Prescott
A city in Yavapai County, Arizona.
| Population | 44,837 |
| Coordinates | 34.5400200, -112.4685000 |
| Altitude | 1638 |
| 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: 188 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $20.35 | $40.70 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $21.94 | $43.88 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $22.88 | $45.75 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $26.16 | $52.33 |
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.