How far is Tempe, AZ from First Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance from Tempe, AZ to First Mesa, AZ is about 283.3 miles (456 km), with a travel time of about 05h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.5 miles (303.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 16m 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 08m.
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 Tempe and First Mesa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe and First Mesa.
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1
Start on East Apache Boulevard
925 ft · 25 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue
98 m · 11 sec · South Una Butte Avenue
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3
Turn right
7 m · 1 sec
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4
Turn right onto South Butte Avenue
77 m · 11 sec · South Butte Avenue
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5
Turn right onto East 12th Street
818 ft · 35 sec · East 12th Street
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6
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
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7
Take the ramp left toward AZ 202 Loop West
1593 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 West
1 mi · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight right onto Papago Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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11
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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12
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff
1069 ft · 17 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 17 North: Flagstaff
1.1 km · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
38.3 mi · 42 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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16
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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17
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi · 14 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
77.3 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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19
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1 km · 44 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
2458 ft · 1 min
-
21
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
61.4 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Purple Heart Trail
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87 North: Second Mesa
2179 ft · 1 min
-
23
Turn left onto Winslow–Kayenta Highway
39.1 mi · 45 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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24
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi · 5 min · AZ 87
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25
Continue on Winslow–Kayenta Highway
16.7 mi · 19 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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26
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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27
Turn left
75 m · 15 sec
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28
At the end of the road, turn left
87 m · 13 sec
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29
Turn right
1031 ft · 45 sec
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tempe 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 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 to First Mesa?
The road trip is about 283.3 miles (456 km) and usually takes 05h 08m 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 141.7 miles from Tempe and 141.6 miles from First Mesa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188.5 miles (303.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 94.8 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 6:44 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.51 one way or $99.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tempe 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 and First Mesa. Straight-line distance: 188.53 mi (303.41 km).
#1 Tempe
The third most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 200,402 |
| Coordinates | 33.4147700, -111.9093100 |
| Altitude | 360 |
| 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: 456 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $49.51 | $99.02 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $53.38 | $106.76 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $55.66 | $111.32 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $63.66 | $127.32 |
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.