This 167.7-mile drive from Clifton to Tucson, Arizona, is a manageable 2-hour and 53-minute journey, making it an excellent option for a single day trip. You'll navigate primarily on Coronado Boulevard, Safford-Springerville Highway, and Globe-Lordsburg Highway, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $33, and with just one recommended stop, it's a fairly direct path. This route offers a straightforward experience through the Desert Southwest region, ideal if you're looking for a simple transfer between two points in Arizona.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.8 miles from Clifton, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
49.1 mi
49m
Tucson-Benson Highway
37.9 mi
38m
South 1st Avenue
31.3 mi
38m
Coronado Boulevard
19.3 mi
25m
Safford-Springerville Highway
13.3 mi
15m
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
8.1 mi
10m
South Alvernon Way
2.1 mi
3m
South Country Club Road
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
— 49.1 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, AZ and Tucson, 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
8.1 mi·10 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
5
Turn left onto South Montierth Lane
1.1 mi·3 min·South Montierth Lane
6
Turn right onto East Solomon Road
1.5 mi·3 min·East Solomon Road
7
Turn left onto US 191
31 mi·38 min·South 1st Avenue
8
Take the exit onto US 191
0.5 mi·1 min·US 191
9
Merge onto I 10; US 191
49 mi·49 min·Benson-Steins Pass Highway
10
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 265Toward Alvernon Way NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto South Alvernon Way
1.3 mi·1 min·South Alvernon Way
Use the left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto South Alvernon Way
0.8 mi·1 min·South Alvernon Way
Toward Alvernon Way
14
Turn left
0.2 mi·23 sec
15
Turn straight onto AZ 210
1.0 mi·1 min·East Barraza Aviation Highway
16
Turn right onto South Country Club Road
1.6 mi·3 min·South Country Club Road
17
Continue on North Country Club Road
91 ft·2 sec·North Country Club Road
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 53-minute duration and 167.7-mile distance, departing Clifton in the morning allows ample time to reach Tucson comfortably within a single day. With an estimated fuel cost of $33 and only one stop recommended, you can plan to refuel before leaving Clifton to ensure you have enough for the entire trip. Pay close attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of this drive; keeping navigation handy will be key to smoothly navigating the various local roads like Coronado Boulevard and Safford-Springerville Highway. This flexibility means you can depart at your leisure, but don't underestimate the need for focus on the turns.
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 83.8 miles from Clifton, AZ, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 37 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tucson, 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 167.7 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 Benson-Steins Pass Highway for about 49.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.6 and 164 — 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
40.8 mi into trip|~51m in|South Montierth Lane
Turn left onto South Montierth Lane
Navigation decision point
4
41.9 mi into trip|~55m in|East Solomon Road
Turn right onto East Solomon Road
Navigation decision point
7
162.1 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward Alvernon Way North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265
Toward Alvernon Way North
5
164 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|South Alvernon Way
Keep slight right at fork onto South Alvernon Way toward Alvernon Way
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Alvernon Way
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.41 one way
$66.82 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$35.36
$70.71
premium
$5.59
$36.91
$73.83
diesel
$5.61
$37.03
$74.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.61
$8.05
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.71
EV Truck/SUV
67.1
0
$23.48
$10.73
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 14, 2026
Origin
Clifton, AZ
Late night
in Clifton on Tuesday
Local time
5:43 AM
MST
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tucson, AZ
Late night
in Tucson on Tuesday
Local time
5:43 AM
MST
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
WSW 3 to 14 mph8% chanceLive 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
2 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
3h 16m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Saguaro National Park
National Park
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 156.1
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this entire 167.7-mile trip, as it features 0% highway driving. The route is characterized by frequent changes in direction, indicative of a more intimate connection with the local landscape rather than long, open stretches. While there isn't a designated longest uninterrupted stretch mentioned, the profile suggests a continuous engagement with the road, requiring your attention throughout the 2-hour and 53-minute duration. You'll be experiencing the nuances of local roads without the interruption of high-speed highway sections.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.1 mi on Benson-Steins Pass Highway.
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 3h 16m drive. You will face about 11 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 40.8 miles (South Montierth Lane): Navigation decision point; at 41.9 miles (East Solomon Road): Navigation decision point.
Tucson (TOO-sawn), also known as the "Old Pueblo", is the second-largest city in the state of Arizona and the county seat of Pima County in the Sonoran Desert. It is at a higher elevation than nearby Phoenix and is correspondingly cooler. Although with half a million residents it is smaller than the capital city, its cultural life is just as vibrant.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.1 miles on Benson-Steins Pass Highway. 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 40.8 miles (South Montierth Lane): Navigation decision point; at 41.9 miles (East Solomon Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Saguaro National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Tucson, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
