Car Rental - Mesa

 

Rent a car in Mesa and emerge in the heart of the scenic Sonoran Desert, just east of the state capital, Phoenix. Mesa is a bright city flanked by the Valley of the Sun’s natural beauty – it’s a 20-minute drive from Tonto National Forest.

There are Mesa car rental pick-up points across the city, so it’s easy to collect your wheels and start exploring. You’ll find one such center at Mesa Gateway Airport, which is a half-hour drive from downtown Mesa.

We have a wide range of comfortable rental cars to choose from in Mesa that are suitable for those traveling as a couple, a family or for business. Popular options include utilitarian small cars, which are ideal if you’re vacationing with kids, and cabriolets, which are perfect for romantic drives.  

Collect a rental car in Mesa and you can easily visit the capital or explore the desert to see more of Arizona.

Mesa Locations

A Quick Guide to Mesa

Park of the Canals

Park of the Canals

Step back in time at Park of the Canals. Here you’ll see ruins of canals that are believed to date back to 300 BC when they were built by the Hohokam people. There’s a beautiful botanical garden so load your Mesa rental car with a picnic, take a seat and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

Hot Air Balloon Ride over Sonoran Desert

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Fancy seeing Mesa and the Sonoran Desert from above? Then take a hot air balloon ride to see Arizona from the skies. Most rides take place early in the morning so you can see the spectacular desert sunrise.

People playing minigolf

Golfland Sunsplash

Take a break from exploring in your Mesa car rental and cool down with thrilling water rides at Sunsplash. There are over 30 rides and attractions including wave pools, Double Dare and the Cauldron. Then, indulge in miniature golf or go-karting at Golfland.

Baseball ball and pitch in the background

Sloan Park

Baseball fans won’t want to miss this stadium – it’s one of the largest in the USA. The Chicago Cubs train here during the spring season and local teams use the stadium year-round. If there isn’t a game during your visit, check out nearby Hohokam Stadium.

Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West

This four-star Marriott hotel is located close to Sloan Park – ideal for baseball fans. After a busy day, head back here for a swim in the outdoor pool or a massage at the spa. There are several restaurants including La Plancha, which serves burritos, enchiladas and tacos. There’s a place for your Mesa rental car, too, since parking is free.

DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix/Mesa

You’ll receive a warm chocolate chip cookie when you check in to this three-star hotel just off the US Route 60. It’s situated next door to a nine-hole golf course and has an outdoor heated pool, hot tub and fitness center. Book dinner at The Resident to choose from dishes including steak, pizza and pasta. There’s also free parking for your Mesa car rental.

Organ Stop Pizza

Head northwest from our Mesa Gateway Airport car rental location to Organ Stop Pizza. In this unique pizzeria, you’ll be entertained while you eat with a musical performance on a Wurlitzer theater organ. This was originally built for Denver Theater in 1927 and is now played each night in the restaurant.

Osaka Japanese Steakhouse

There’s a wide range of cuisine available in Mesa. At Osaka Japanese Steakhouse, which boasts Far East decor in a rustic dining room, you can sample teppanyaki-style grilled meats alongside homemade sushi. Be sure to save room for Japanese-style ice cream, which comes in flavors including green tea.

Phoenix

Mesa is just a half hour from the capital of Arizona which is brimming with southwestern culture. There are art galleries and museums, plus the famous zoo in Papago Park – choose the Arizona or the Africa Trail to see everything from bobcats to tigers.

Apache Trail

Make the most of your Mesa rental car by driving the Apache Trail, which takes you from Goldfield Ghost Town to Roosevelt Dam. On the way you’ll pass the Tortilla Flat, Canyon Lake and Superstition Mountains. It’s around 40 miles, much of which is on a gravel road.

Tonto National Forest

This is one of the largest National Forests in the USA and the largest in Arizona, so it’s worth taking your Mesa car rental here. It’ll take you from desert to mountains and then into forest. Follow the hiking trails or head to the lakes with a canoe or kayak.

Driving In and Around Mesa

There are more than 5,000 free parking spaces downtown, so you can park up your Mesa rental car and explore with ease. On the weekend and after 5pm during the week parking garages are free. One of these is Sirrine Parking Garage in Mesa Arts Centre.

  • US Route 60 passes through the center of the city. It joins the I-10 in the west and the I-25 in New Mexico.
  • Interstate 10 (I-10) runs just west of the city, passing Phoenix. This interstate highway runs from Los Angeles, California, to Jacksonville, Florida.
  • The speed limit for residential areas in Arizona is 25mph.
  • Interstates that pass through a city are usually signposted 55 or 65mph.
  • As you travel between cities the limit increases to 75mph.

How to Get From Mesa Gateway Airport to Usery Mountain Regional Park

It takes just under 30 minutes to drive to Usery Mountain Regional Park from our Mesa Gateway Airport car rental location.

  1. Leave the airport on South Sossaman Road and turn right on to East Ray Road.
  2. Take a left on to South Hawes Road and then continue on to Arizona State Route 202.
  3. Follow the road around until it turns left on to North Ellsworth Road.
  4. Turn right and join East Usery Park Road to find the parking lot.

 

How to Get From Mesa to Phoenix

It’s a short drive to the state’s capital city from Mesa in your rental car. Take US Route 60 heading west, followed by the I-10 also heading west. You’ll cross the Salt River before taking Washington Street to head into the center. It’ll take around 30 minutes.

 

How to Get From Mesa to Tucson

It’s one hour and 45 minutes to Tucson in southern Arizona by your Mesa rental car. Head west on US Route 60 and then join the I-10 heading east.