How far is Scottsdale, AZ from First Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from Scottsdale, AZ to First Mesa, AZ is about 278.4 miles (448 km), with a travel time of about 05h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 182.4 miles (293.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 in Coconino County, 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 Scottsdale and First Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale and First Mesa.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Chaparral Road
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3
Turn left onto AZ 101 Loop North
1909 ft · 51 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
22 mi · 25 min · Pima Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
2406 ft · 46 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 17 North: Flagstaff
1.6 km · 2 min
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7
Keep slight left
1359 ft · 33 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
23.2 mi · 25 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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9
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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10
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi · 14 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
77.3 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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12
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1 km · 44 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
2458 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
61.4 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Purple Heart Trail
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15
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87 North: Second Mesa
2179 ft · 1 min
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16
Turn left onto Winslow–Kayenta Highway
39.1 mi · 45 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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17
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi · 5 min · AZ 87
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18
Continue on Winslow–Kayenta Highway
16.7 mi · 19 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
7.7 mi · 10 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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20
Turn left
75 m · 15 sec
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21
At the end of the road, turn left
87 m · 13 sec
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22
Turn right
1031 ft · 45 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsdale and First 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.
Arizona Veterans Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
77.3 mi · 01h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Scottsdale and Sunny near First Mesa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scottsdale to First Mesa?
The road trip is about 278.4 miles (448 km) and usually takes 05h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mountainaire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.2 miles from Scottsdale and 139.1 miles from First Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 182.4 miles (293.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 96 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:56 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.62 one way or $97.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Scottsdale and Sunny near First Mesa.
Stop Ideas Near Mountainaire
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Sedona Dog Park
United States Postal Service
Flagstaff City Hall
Sedona
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mountainaire.
Flagstaff (Greyhound), Arizona
Flagstaff Station
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Williams, Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Scottsdale and First Mesa. Straight-line distance: 182.47 mi (293.65 km).
#1 Scottsdale
The fourth most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Scottsdale metropolitan area.
| Population | 262,647 |
| Coordinates | 33.5092100, -111.8990300 |
| Altitude | 383 |
| Country | United States |
#2 First Mesa
Census designated place
| Population | 1,555 |
| Coordinates | 35.8366700, -110.3815200 |
| Altitude | 1771 |
| Country | United States |
End: First Mesa (-110.38152, 35.83667)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 448 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $48.62 | $97.24 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $52.42 | $104.84 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $54.66 | $109.32 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $62.51 | $125.03 |
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.