Spanning 217.6 miles across the Desert Southwest, your journey from Clifton to Glendale typically takes about 4 hours and 46 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $43 on fuel, so keep that in your travel budget as you prepare for the trek. You will navigate a variety of routes, moving from East Center Street onto the Phoenix–Globe Highway and eventually finishing on the Superstition Freeway. Since the trip remains entirely within Arizona’s Desert Southwest, the environmental transition is subtle but steady. It is a straightforward trek for those comfortable with a local, turn-heavy driving experience.
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
108.8 miles from Clifton, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East Center Street
66.5 mi
1h 21m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi
55m
Superstition Freeway
27.1 mi
31m
Coronado Boulevard
19.3 mi
25m
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
14.7 mi
20m
Safford-Springerville Highway
13.3 mi
15m
Grand Avenue
7.1 mi
12m
Papago Freeway
5.6 mi
6m
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 Glendale, 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
27 mi·31 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi·38 sec·US 60
Toward I 10 North
22
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi·5 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
26
Continue on I 10
0.9 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 143CToward 19th Avenue, Grand AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto North 19th Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 19th Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
29
Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue
7.1 mi·12 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left / slight left lanes.
30
Arrive at destination
US 60
Trip Plan
Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel before hitting the heavier traffic near the end of your route. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the turn-heavy local segments while visibility is at its peak. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 66.5-mile stretch on East Center Street, as services may be less frequent than on the later freeway sections. Because the total duration is under five hours, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace based on local traffic conditions. Prioritize checking your tire pressure before departure, as the varied road types will subject your vehicle to different handling demands throughout the day.
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 108.8 miles from Clifton, AZ, or about 2h 21m 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 48 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.8 miles or 2h 21m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, 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 217.6 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.2 and 210.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
43.2 mi into trip|~56m in|South 8th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
203.9 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
205.8 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
210 mi into trip|~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 143C
Toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue
6
210.3 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|North 19th Avenue
Turn right onto North 19th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.35 one way
$86.70 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$45.88
$91.75
premium
$5.59
$47.90
$95.80
diesel
$5.61
$48.04
$96.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.3
0
$22.85
$10.44
Efficient EV
54.4
0
$19.04
$8.70
EV Truck/SUV
87
1
$30.46
$13.93
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clifton, AZ
Evening
in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
MST
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Glendale, AZ
Evening
in Glendale on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
MST
Current temp
92°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
7 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 46m 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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 157.6
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
~54 min detour
$10
near mile 135.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a drive that shifts significantly in its personality as you move from local roads to major freeways. With only 19% of the journey spent on highways, the vast majority of your time is dedicated to a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. You will start with the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip, covering 66.5 miles along East Center Street. This initial portion sets the pace before you transition into the more familiar flow of the Phoenix–Globe Highway and the Superstition Freeway. Anticipate constant changes in road dynamics, as the route requires you to stay alert through winding local sections before reaching the faster, more predictable freeway segments.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 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?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.2 miles in near South 8th Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 217.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 43.2 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 203.9 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.8 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 217.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Glendale, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 43.2 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 203.9 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.8 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Glendale, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
