How far is Scottsdale, AZ from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from Scottsdale, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 11.6 miles (18.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 7.5 miles (12 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 17m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The third most populous city in Arizona.
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 Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale and Mesa.
-
1
Start on the route
19 m · 7 sec
-
2
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
3151 ft · 1 min · East Chaparral Road
-
3
Take the ramp right toward AZ 101 Loop South
1838 ft · 47 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Pima Freeway
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward McDowell Road
1807 ft · 46 sec
-
6
Turn left onto East McDowell Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · East McDowell Road
-
7
Turn right onto North Alma School Road
1.1 km · 1 min · North Alma School Road
-
8
Turn left onto West McKellips Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · West McKellips Road
-
9
Turn right onto North Mesa Drive
2 mi · 4 min · North Mesa Drive
-
10
Turn left onto East University Drive
22 m · 2 sec · East University Drive
-
11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsdale and Mesa.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Pima Freeway
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
2.34 mi · 00h 03m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Scottsdale and Sunny near Mesa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scottsdale to Mesa?
The road trip is about 11.6 miles (18.7 km) and usually takes 00h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tempe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.2 miles from Scottsdale and 6.5 miles from Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 7.5 miles (12 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:56 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.03 one way or $4.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Scottsdale and Sunny near Mesa.
Stop Ideas Near Tempe
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
The Phoenix Police Museum
Planning department - City of Mesa
Phoenix City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tempe.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Scottsdale and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 7.45 mi (11.99 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 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: 19 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $2.03 | $4.06 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $2.19 | $4.38 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $2.28 | $4.56 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $2.61 | $5.22 |
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.