Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Clifton, AZ to Gilbert, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 14m
Distance
190.9 mi
307 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 1m
★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 41m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 21m
3 PM
4h 25m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Gilbert, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Clifton, AZ to Gilbert, AZ is 190.9 miles and takes about 4h 14m via East Center Street and Phoenix–Globe Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest, making it a straightforward transition between two points in Arizona. Expect a turn-heavy local drive, so keep your attention sharp. With only one recommended stop and a drive that can easily be completed in a single day, this is a practical option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
95.4 miles from Clifton, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Center Street | 66.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 42.9 mi | 55m |
| Coronado Boulevard | 19.3 mi | 25m |
| Superstition Freeway | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 14.7 mi | 20m |
| Safford-Springerville Highway | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| West Thatcher Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
East Center Street
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, AZ and Gilbert, AZ.
1
Start on US 191
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Coronado Boulevard
2
Turn straight onto US 191
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Coronado Boulevard
3
Continue on US 191
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Safford-Springerville Highway
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 70; US 191
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
5
Turn left onto US 191
403 ft
·
11 sec
·
South 1st Avenue
6
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
7
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
436 ft
·
16 sec
·
South 8th Avenue
8
Turn left onto US 70
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Thatcher Boulevard
9
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
10
Continue on US 70
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
11
Continue on US 70
66 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
East Center Street
12
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
13
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Hill Street
14
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Oak Street
15
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Broad Street
16
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
17
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
18
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Live Oak Street
19
Continue on US 60
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 182
Toward Gilbert Road
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn left onto South Gilbert Road
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
South Gilbert Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
440 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Vaughn Avenue
24
Turn right onto North Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Elm Street
25
Turn right
203 ft
·
14 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 14m duration, starting your drive in Clifton, AZ in the morning is ideal to allow ample time for the 190.9-mile journey. While there's only one recommended stop, factor in additional brief breaks as needed, especially considering the turn-heavy nature of the route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $38, and it's wise to top off before departing Clifton. Pay close attention to navigation, particularly when transitioning between the various main roads like East Center Street and Coronado Boulevard.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 95.4 miles from Clifton, AZ, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 42 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.4 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gilbert, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clifton, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clifton, AZ
This is one driving day of about 190.9 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Clifton, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on East Center Street for about 66.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.4 miles from Clifton, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East Center Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.6 mi from route
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
mile 150
Superior, Arizona
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+15206892723
Visit websiteCobre Valley Center for the Arts
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
mile 122.7
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19284250884
Visit websiteSignal Butte Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
mile 177.2
Mesa, Arizona
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+14806447529
Visit websiteBesh-Ba-Gowah Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
mile 122.7
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm
+19284250320
Visit websiteBesh-Ba-Gowah Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
mile 122.7
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm
+19284250320
Visit websiteLegends of Superior Trails
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
mile 150
Superior, Arizona
Hours: Open 24 hours
+16029359034
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 32.6 and 190.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
32.6 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
US 70; US 191 / Globe-Lordsburg Highway
At end of road, turn right onto US 70; US 191 / Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Navigation decision point
4
42.7 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
US 191 / South 1st Avenue
Turn left onto US 191 / South 1st Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
43.2 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
South 8th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
188 mi into trip
|
~4h 7m in
Take the exit toward Gilbert Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 182
Toward Gilbert Road
5
190.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
|
North Elm Street
Turn right onto North Elm Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.03 one way
$76.06 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $40.25 | $80.49 |
| premium | $5.59 | $42.02 | $84.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.15 | $84.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.04 | $9.16 |
| Efficient EV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.70 | $7.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.4 | 0 | $26.73 | $12.22 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Clifton, AZ
Evening in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
SSE 7 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Gilbert, AZ
Evening in Gilbert on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 14m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 158
View on nps.gov
Tonto National Monument
National Monument
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 131.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience, with only 11% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate through a series of local roads, including East Center Street and the Phoenix–Globe Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 66.5 miles on East Center Street, so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience rather than a long, monotonous highway cruise. The road character shifts as you progress, moving from more localized routes to potentially faster sections as you approach your destination.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.5 mi on East Center Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 32.6 miles in near US 70; US 191 / Globe-Lordsburg Highway.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 14m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 32.6 miles (US 70; US 191 / Globe-Lordsburg Highway): Navigation decision point; at 42.7 miles (US 191 / South 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 43.2 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Arriving in Gilbert, AZ
Full guide →Gilbert is in the southeast valley of the Greater Phoenix region of Arizona. With a population of 270,000 (2021 est.) it is the largest town in the US. people. Once a railway town and the "Hay Capital of the World", Gilbert is now a diverse suburban center, retaining its agricultural and railroad history and celebrating its "small town" feel.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 190.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (11%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on East Center Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.6 miles (US 70; US 191 / Globe-Lordsburg Highway): Navigation decision point; at 42.7 miles (US 191 / South 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 43.2 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Gilbert, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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