Spanning 203.5 miles across the Desert Southwest, this trip from Clifton to Scottsdale typically takes about 3 hours and 39 minutes behind the wheel. Because the total duration is relatively manageable, you can easily complete this journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate using a series of local roads, including Coronado Boulevard, the Safford-Springerville Highway, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Budget roughly $40 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Arizona points. Since you are staying within the same desert region, the landscape remains consistent as you transition from the smaller community of Clifton to the urban environment of Scottsdale. It is a straightforward trek that works well for those looking to reach the valley floor efficiently.
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
101.7 miles from Clifton, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m 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
21.9 mi
25m
Coronado Boulevard
19.3 mi
25m
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
14.7 mi
20m
Safford-Springerville Highway
13.3 mi
15m
Pima Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
US 60
4 mi
7m
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 Scottsdale, 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
22 mi·25 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 176BToward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
2.6 mi·3 min·Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
4.9 mi·5 min·Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 46Toward Chaparral RoadUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Chaparral Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left
64 ft·4 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Plan for one dedicated stop during your 203.5-mile journey to stretch your legs and break up the technical nature of the local roads. Since the drive is under four hours, you have the flexibility to depart mid-morning and still arrive in Scottsdale with plenty of daylight to spare. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Clifton, as the $40 cost estimate is based on typical consumption for a route with this much turning and road variation. Because you are traveling on local infrastructure rather than major interstates, ensure your vehicle is prepared for consistent gear changes and slower speeds. A helpful tip is to map out your one intended stop along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway segment to ensure you have a convenient place to rest before the final push into the city.
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 101.7 miles from Clifton, AZ, or about 2h 12m 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 45 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.7 miles or 2h 12m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsdale, 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 203.5 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.6 and 202.4 — 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
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
193.2 mi into trip|~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 176B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
5
194.9 mi into trip|~4h 15m in|AZ 101 Loop / Price Freeway
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Price Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
202.4 mi into trip|~4h 24m in
Take the exit toward Chaparral Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.54 one way
$81.08 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$42.90
$85.81
premium
$5.59
$44.79
$89.59
diesel
$5.61
$44.93
$89.86
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: 71.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.1
0
$21.37
$9.77
Efficient EV
50.9
0
$17.81
$8.14
EV Truck/SUV
81.4
1
$28.49
$13.02
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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
7:49 PM
MST
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Evening
in Scottsdale on Saturday
Local time
7:49 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 27m 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
$10
near mile 133.3
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 161.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and turn-heavy experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route contains no highway mileage. You will spend your time navigating local roads, meaning your attention will be required on the curves rather than maintaining high-speed highway travel. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on Coronado Boulevard is 0 miles, you should anticipate constant adjustments and frequent road transitions throughout the drive. The personality of this trip is defined by its local character, requiring you to stay alert through the various segments of the Safford-Springerville and Globe-Lordsburg highways. It is an engaging, hands-on drive that keeps you connected to the local topography of Arizona.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 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?
4/10
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 Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 27m 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 43.2 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 193.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Scottsdale is a city in the state of Arizona. Scottsdale is home to many galleries, high quality resorts, and golf courses. It is also one of the wealthier parts of the Phoenix Metro Area.
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.
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 43.2 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 193.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Tonto National Monument and Casa Grande Ruins 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 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Scottsdale, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
