Quick Summary
- Phoenix Sky Harbor usually works best if you are visiting several Cactus League ballparks spread around the Valley.
- Mesa Gateway can be smarter when you are based in the East Valley and mostly watching games in Mesa and Scottsdale.
- Booking with Hola Car Rentals keeps your plans flexible, with all inclusive cover and stress free airport pick up.
Where Cactus League stadiums sit around Phoenix
From late February to March, Cactus League games spread out across the Phoenix metro area, from Surprise in the far west to Mesa and Scottsdale in the east. Many ballparks sit roughly 30 to 45 minutes apart by car in typical traffic, so your airport pick up choice can add or shave a surprising amount of driving time over a week of games.
When Phoenix Airport pick up is smarter
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport sits almost in the middle of the metro grid, close to the I 10, Loop 202 and State Route 143 junctions. If your Cactus League schedule includes games in Glendale, Peoria, Goodyear or central Phoenix as well as Tempe and Scottsdale, starting from the central hub cuts your average drive time and gives you far more hotel options.
You reach the dedicated rental car centre on a short shuttle ride from the terminals, and once you arrive you can walk straight to the Phoenix Airport car rental options you booked online. That positioning makes it easy to land in the morning, collect the keys and still reach an afternoon game without feeling rushed.
Choosing Hola Car Rentals for your Phoenix trip adds extra breathing room. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up, maximum liability cover on selected itineraries and transparent All Inclusive plus rates help you commit to flights and hotels while keeping your vehicle plans flexible if your game schedule shifts.
When Mesa pick up makes more sense
Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport sits in the south east suburbs, close to Sloan Park and the other East Valley complexes. If you are mostly watching Cubs games in Mesa, plus dates in Tempe or Scottsdale, landing here can cut out a cross town drive and make your first evening feel calmer after a long flight.
You might still decide to drive across the Valley for one big game at Camelback Ranch or in Surprise. In that case it can be worth treating Mesa as your quieter base and using a Phoenix driving base for a day trip, especially if you plan a non baseball day exploring downtown and the desert preserves.
If you are extending your holiday beyond baseball, a flexible booking with Hola Car Rentals also lets you fold in a wider Arizona road trip, from Sedona to Tucson. It is often simplest to keep the same car for the whole stay rather than juggling separate bookings, so browsing Arizona driving options in advance helps you decide whether Phoenix or Mesa is the better long term base.
Cost, traffic and schedule: how to choose
Price and traffic matter just as much as distance. Sometimes you will see a lower rate at one airport once you include taxes, while on other dates Phoenix comes out ahead. It is worth checking a couple of arrival times and comparing them with typical rush hour flows across the Valley so you avoid starting your holiday in stop start traffic.
If you are on the fence, think about whether you would rather pay a few extra dollars to land closer to your first game or spend more time in the car on arrival. Our guide on whether airport pick up really saves money will help you decide how to balance headline price against fees and local transport costs.
Driving tips for spring training in Phoenix
Cactus League games tend to cluster in the early afternoon and evening, which means you are often driving at the same time as commuter traffic. Build in extra time for security at the ballpark, bring plenty of water in the vehicle and keep an eye on evening first pitch times so you are not sprinting from the parking lot to your seats.
- Leave early for cross Valley games so you have a cushion if a crash slows the freeways.
- Choose a car with strong air conditioning and enough boot space for coolers and gear.
- Keep your fuel topped up if you are bouncing between several stadiums in one day.
FAQs
- Is Phoenix or Mesa better if I am visiting several different teams? If your games span the whole Valley, Phoenix Sky Harbor usually wins because it sits centrally and keeps individual drives shorter, even if one or two ballparks end up slightly further away.
- Will I save a lot by picking up in Mesa instead of Phoenix? Sometimes there is a modest price difference, but schedule, flight times and traffic can matter more than a small nightly saving, so check both options before you commit.
- Do I need an SUV for Cactus League driving? Most ballparks are on paved city streets and freeways, so a standard saloon or compact SUV from Hola Car Rentals is usually perfect unless you are adding longer desert drives to your itinerary.
When you are ready to lock in your Arizona baseball break, reserve early with Hola Car Rentals so you get the vehicle size you want, strong cover and the freedom to chase every Cactus League matchup on your list.
