Look, if you tell a rideshare driver in Arizona to just "take me to the Mesa airport," you might end up thirty miles away from where you actually need to be. It’s a classic East Valley blunder. Mesa basically has two "main" airport identities depending on who you ask. Most people are looking for Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA), the secondary hub that’s become a massive favorite for budget travelers. But if you’re flying a major carrier like Delta or American, you’re actually headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), which technically sits in Phoenix but serves as the primary gateway for every Mesa resident.
Navigating the desert sprawl isn't always intuitive. You've got loop 202, the US-60, and a dozen "Sossaman Road" signs that all start to look the same after a while.
Finding Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA)
If you’re booked on Allegiant or Sun Country, you’re headed to the far southeast corner of Mesa. The address is 6033 S Sossaman Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212.
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Honestly, the easiest way to get here from almost anywhere in the East Valley is using the Loop 202 (Santan Freeway). You’ll want to exit at Hawes Rd (Exit 34) or Power Rd (Exit 33). If you take Power Road, just head south and turn left onto Ray Road. It’ll lead you right into the airport grounds.
For those coming from the north—say, via the US-60—you’ll take the Sossaman Road exit. Go south for a good several miles. You’ll pass a bunch of industrial parks and eventually hit the airport entrance. It’s a bit of a trek if you’re coming from North Scottsdale or Tempe, so factor in about 40 to 50 minutes during the afternoon rush.
Pro tip for locals: The "cell phone lot" at Gateway is actually useful. It’s located at 5250 South Sossaman Road. Don't be the person idling on the curb; the airport police here are pretty strict about keeping that lane moving because the terminal is so small.
Getting to Sky Harbor from Mesa
Most business travelers are actually looking for mesa az airport directions that lead them west toward Phoenix Sky Harbor. It’s about 15 to 25 miles away depending on where in Mesa you’re starting.
- From East Mesa: Hop on the Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) heading west. It’s usually faster than the US-60. You’ll take the exit for AZ-143 South and then follow the signs for Sky Harbor Boulevard.
- From South Mesa: Take the US-60 West to the I-10 West. You’ll see the airport signs pretty quickly. Use Exit 153A to merge onto the 143 North, which dumps you right into the terminal area.
Traffic on the I-10 near the "Broadway Curve" is notorious. If you’re flying out on a Friday afternoon, give yourself an extra 30 minutes. Seriously. The construction in that area has been a saga for years, and even though it’s getting better, it’s still a bottleneck.
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The Parking Situation: Where to Leave Your Car
At Gateway (AZA), parking is actually one of the big perks. It’s cheaper than Sky Harbor.
The Hourly Lot is right in front of the Charles L. Williams Terminal. It’s $1 per half-hour. Great for a quick goodbye. If you’re leaving for a week, hit the Economy Lot at 7255 East Ray Road. It’s $10 a day. They have a shuttle, but it only runs every 15-20 minutes, so don’t pull into the lot five minutes before boarding.
Sky Harbor is a different beast. If you're driving from Mesa to PHX, use the East Economy Lot. It’s the first thing you hit when entering from the Mesa side. You can take the PHX Sky Train for free from there to any terminal. It's way faster than trying to find a spot in the terminal garages, which can cost you $30+ a day.
Public Transit and Shuttles
Not everyone wants to drive. If you're trying to do this on a budget, Valley Metro Route 184 (Power Rd) serves Mesa Gateway. It’s cheap—literally a couple of dollars—but it takes forever.
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For a more direct shot between the two airports, there isn't a "free" shuttle. You’ll need to look at private services like Arizona Shuttle or just bite the bullet on a $40-$60 Uber.
Summary of Key Routes
- To Gateway (AZA) via 202: Exit Power Rd, south to Ray Rd, left to Sossaman.
- To Gateway (AZA) via US-60: Exit Sossaman Rd, head south for 6 miles.
- To Sky Harbor (PHX) via 202: Westbound to AZ-143 South, follow airport signs.
- To Sky Harbor (PHX) via I-10: Westbound to Exit 153A (AZ-143).
Basically, double-check your ticket. If it says AZA, go southeast. If it says PHX, go west. It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many people end up at the wrong "Mesa airport" at 5:00 AM.
Before you head out, check the ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation) website or app. They are constantly doing weekend closures on the 202 and the 60 for "rubberized asphalt" projects or bridge work. A 20-minute drive can turn into an hour if you hit a surprise detour through Mesa city streets.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify your airport code: Ensure your flight is AZA (Gateway) or PHX (Sky Harbor).
- Check ADOT's "AZ511" app: Look for weekend ramp closures on the Loop 202.
- Pin the "Cell Phone Lot": If you're picking someone up at Gateway, use the 5250 S Sossaman Rd address to avoid circling the terminal.
- Pre-book Sky Harbor Parking: If you choose PHX, booking online usually saves you a few bucks a day compared to the drive-up rate.