ToClearSkies
Mesa air right now

GoodAQI 26

Mesa’s five-day smoke forecast shows the current index and the clearest time ahead.

26
AQI now
4.6
PM2.5 · µg/m³

Where are you?

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

No verified road trips found within 3 hours.Try widening the range. We do not show crow-flight guesses.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Mesa Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Phoenix
Cel-shaded illustration of Phoenix
AQI 36
#1PhoenixChecking road route

Arizona· Good

A major Arizona city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 6.5 µg/m³ here vs 4.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.5/22 × 7 = 2.1 here; 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
41% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Durango Complex monitor.

Still smoky
Wickenburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Wickenburg
AQI 37
#2WickenburgChecking road route

Arizona· Good

Old dude-ranch town northwest of Phoenix on the Hassayampa River, a desert-basin escape with resorts.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 6.7 µg/m³ here vs 4.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 here; 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Mesa

46% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Still smoky
Payson
Cel-shaded illustration of Payson
AQI 44
#3PaysonChecking road route

Arizona· Good

Rim Country town beneath the Mogollon Rim near 5,000 feet, a forested escape from Phoenix heat and haze, with motels and cabins.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 8 µg/m³ here vs 4.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Mesa

74% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Still smoky
Guadalupe
Cel-shaded illustration of Guadalupe
AQI unavailable
#4GuadalupeChecking road route

Arizona

Arizona community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Still smoky
Ahwatukee Foothills
Cel-shaded illustration of Ahwatukee Foothills
AQI unavailable
#5Ahwatukee FoothillsChecking road route

Arizona

Arizona community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Still smoky
Paradise Valley
Cel-shaded illustration of Paradise Valley
AQI unavailable
#6Paradise ValleyChecking road route

Arizona

Arizona community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Still smoky
Sun Lakes
Cel-shaded illustration of Sun Lakes
AQI unavailable
#7Sun LakesChecking road route

Arizona

Arizona community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Still smoky
Encanto
Cel-shaded illustration of Encanto
AQI unavailable
#8EncantoChecking road route

Arizona

Arizona community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Still smoky
Fountain Hills
Cel-shaded illustration of Fountain Hills
AQI unavailable
#9Fountain HillsChecking road route

Arizona

Arizona community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Still smoky
Queen Creek
Cel-shaded illustration of Queen Creek
AQI unavailable
#10Queen CreekChecking road route

Arizona

Arizona community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Still smoky
Apache Junction
Cel-shaded illustration of Apache Junction
AQI unavailable
#11Apache JunctionChecking road route

Arizona

Arizona community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Still smoky
Alhambra
Cel-shaded illustration of Alhambra
AQI unavailable
#12AlhambraChecking road route

Arizona

Arizona community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Still smoky
Tucson
Cel-shaded illustration of Tucson
AQI 11
#13TucsonChecking road route

Arizona· Good

A major Arizona city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 4.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Mesa right now

57% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Geronimo monitor.

Still smoky
Prescott
Cel-shaded illustration of Prescott
AQI 23
#14PrescottChecking road route

Arizona· Good

Mile-high mountain town in central Arizona's pine country, cooler and clearer than the desert below, with historic hotels and B&Bs.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 4.2 µg/m³ here vs 4.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.2/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
9% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Still smoky
Pinetop-Lakeside
Cel-shaded illustration of Pinetop-Lakeside
AQI 30
#15Pinetop-LakesideChecking road route

Arizona· Good

White Mountains pine town above 6,800 feet in eastern Arizona, high enough for consistently cool, clear air, with cabins and lodges.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 5.4 µg/m³ here vs 4.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.4/22 × 7 = 1.7 here; 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
17% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Still smoky
Sedona
Cel-shaded illustration of Sedona
AQI 32
#16SedonaChecking road route

Arizona· Good

Red-rock town in Arizona's high desert at 4,300 feet, ringed by canyon country well above Phoenix, with resorts and inns.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 5.7 µg/m³ here vs 4.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.7/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
24% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Still smoky
Jerome
Cel-shaded illustration of Jerome
AQI 33
#17JeromeChecking road route

Arizona· Good

Former mining town clinging to Cleopatra Hill above the Verde Valley, a breezy high-perch escape with historic inns.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 6 µg/m³ here vs 4.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6/22 × 7 = 1.9 here; 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
30% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Jemez Springs
Cel-shaded illustration of Jemez Springs
AQI 7
#18Jemez SpringsChecking road route

New Mexico· Good

Hot-springs village in a red-rock canyon of the Jemez Mountains, cooler and clearer than Albuquerque.

72% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.3 µg/m³ here vs 4.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.3/22 × 7 = 0.4 here; 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Mesa right now

72% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Cortez
Cel-shaded illustration of Cortez
AQI 8
#19CortezChecking road route

Colorado· Good

Gateway town to Mesa Verde near 6,200 feet in southwest Colorado, with dry high-plateau air.

70% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.4 µg/m³ here vs 4.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.4/22 × 7 = 0.4 here; 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Mesa right now

70% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Monticello
Cel-shaded illustration of Monticello
AQI 8
#20MonticelloChecking road route

Utah· Good

Southeastern Utah town near 7,000 feet in the Abajo Mountains foothills, cooler than nearby Moab.

70% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.4 µg/m³ here vs 4.6 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.4/22 × 7 = 0.4 here; 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Mesa right now

70% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT · 49 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

Browse all 200 cities by province & state →

More air-quality pages in Arizona →
Air quality in nearby cities →

What this means · Mesa

Good

AQI 26

AQI = Air Quality Index

Typical person. Air quality is satisfactory for most outdoor plans.

Kids, seniors, heart or lung conditions. Unusually sensitive people can still enjoy the outdoors.

The AQI on this page follows fine particles (PM2.5). Particles here are 4.6 µg/m³ (Clean), so the headline and the particle scale below tell the same story.

Act two · Fine particles only

Where PM2.5 lands

This bar is smoke and fine particles (PM2.5) only. Left is cleaner air; right is heavier particle pollution. Today's particles sit in Clean.

4.6 µg/m³
Clean · 0Smoky · 40Severe · 80+

Act three · Particle ladder

What each PM2.5 rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · Felt number

Cigarettes a week

A secondary feel for the particle load only — not a medical claim, and not a substitute for AQI.

1.5/wk

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 4.6 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 4.6/22 × 7 = 1.5 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →