Clifton, AZ to Phoenix, AZ is 207.9 miles and takes about 4h 32m via East Center Street and Superstition Freeway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Desert Southwest region of Arizona to another part of the Desert Southwest, offering a relatively straightforward journey. Given its single-day feasibility and moderate length, it's a practical option for those looking to cover ground without an overnight stay. The route is characterized by a mix of local roads and freeway driving, making it accessible for most drivers.
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
103.9 miles from Clifton, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m 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
Maricopa Freeway
6.8 mi
7m
US 60
4.5 mi
8m
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 Phoenix, 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 right at fork onto US 60
1.9 mi·2 min·Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 195BToward 7th Street, Central AvenueUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
134 ft·2 sec·East Maricopa Freeway
26
Turn right onto South 7th Street
1.3 mi·2 min·South 7th Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this trip is a manageable 4-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 207.9 miles to Phoenix. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on East Center Street, as services might be less frequent in some sections. The total estimated fuel cost is around $41, so plan accordingly. This route is best suited for a single-day journey, and with only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your time.
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 103.9 miles from Clifton, AZ, or about 2h 15m 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 46 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.9 miles or 2h 15m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, 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 207.9 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.2 and 207.4 — 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
5
198.5 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward I 10 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 North
8
203.9 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
8
205.8 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
6
207.4 mi into trip|~4h 31m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.42 one way
$82.83 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$43.83
$87.66
premium
$5.59
$45.76
$91.53
diesel
$5.61
$45.90
$91.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.4
0
$21.83
$9.98
Efficient EV
52
0
$18.19
$8.32
EV Truck/SUV
83.2
1
$29.11
$13.31
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clifton, AZ
Evening
in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Evening
in Phoenix 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
8 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 32m 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 157.7
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 136.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a turn-heavy local drive with an 18% highway share, meaning you'll experience a dynamic road personality rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 66.5 miles on East Center Street, which will give you a good opportunity to settle in. Expect to navigate through a variety of road types as you transition from local streets to more open stretches and finally onto the Superstition Freeway. This varied terrain means you'll need to stay engaged with changing speed limits and traffic conditions.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 43.2 miles in near South 8th Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 207.9 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 43.2 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 198.5 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 203.9 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.
Top landmarks
•Arizona State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona
•Phoenix Art Museum — art museum in Phoenix, Arizona
•St. Mary's Basilica — Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 207.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m 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 Phoenix, 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 198.5 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 203.9 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Phoenix, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
