How far is Tempe Junction, AZ from First Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from Tempe Junction, AZ to First Mesa, AZ is about 281.8 miles (453.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.5 miles (304.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 12m 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 06m.
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
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tempe Junction and First Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction and First Mesa.
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1
Start on West 13th Street
1342 ft · 55 sec · West 13th Street
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2
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
2645 ft · 1 min · South Roosevelt Street
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3
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Broadway Road
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4
Continue on West Broadway Road
904 ft · 31 sec · West Broadway Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right
3079 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Maricopa Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Maricopa Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Maricopa Freeway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Maricopa Freeway
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8
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
41.3 mi · 45 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 Tempe Junction 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 Tempe Junction 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 Tempe Junction to First Mesa?
The road trip is about 281.8 miles (453.5 km) and usually takes 05h 06m 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 141 miles from Tempe Junction and 140.8 miles from First Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.5 miles (304.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 92.3 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 6:48 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.21 one way or $98.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tempe Junction 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 Tempe Junction and First Mesa. Straight-line distance: 189.47 mi (304.92 km).
#1 Tempe Junction
A census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona.
| Population | 158,368 |
| Coordinates | 33.4142100, -111.9434800 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| 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: 454 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $49.21 | $98.43 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $53.06 | $106.12 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $55.33 | $110.65 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $63.28 | $126.56 |
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.