Flagstaff to Globe is 174.1 miles and takes about 4h 17m via South Lake Mary Road, Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway, and Apache Trail, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, moving from one environment to another. It's a single-day option that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more direct and less highway-intensive experience than many cross-state drives. Plan for a comfortable drive with a limited budget, making it an accessible choice for a quick Arizona adventure.
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
87.1 miles from Flagstaff, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Lake Mary Road
53.5 mi
1h 21m
Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway
33.9 mi
47m
Apache Trail
27 mi
39m
Payson-Winslow Highway
19.1 mi
28m
South Beeline Highway
16.5 mi
21m
State Route 87
11.8 mi
16m
Arizona State Highway 87
4 mi
5m
North Broad Street
2.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
South Lake Mary Road
— 53.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flagstaff, AZ and Globe, AZ.
1
Start on US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
500 ft·15 sec·West Historic Route 66
2
Turn slight left onto South Milton Road
1.6 mi·4 min·South Milton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto West Forest Meadows Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·West Forest Meadows Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto South Beulah Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·South Beulah Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto South Lake Mary Road
54 mi·1 hr 21 min·South Lake Mary Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 87
12 mi·16 min·State Route 87
7
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
7.5 mi·11 min·Payson-Winslow Highway
8
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
0.4 mi·55 sec·North AZ Highway 87
9
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
0.9 mi·1 min·Payson-Winslow Highway
10
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
1.4 mi·2 min·Arizona State Highway 87
11
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
11 mi·15 min·Payson-Winslow Highway
12
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
2.6 mi·3 min·Arizona State Highway 87
13
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Beeline Highway
14
Enter roundabout onto AZ 87; AZ 260
122 ft·2 sec·North Beeline Highway
15
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
0.6 mi·1 min·North Beeline Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto AZ 87; AZ 260
147 ft·3 sec·North Beeline Highway
17
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 260
1.2 mi·2 min·North Beeline Highway
18
Continue on AZ 87
16 mi·21 min·South Beeline Highway
19
Turn left onto AZ 188
34 mi·47 min·Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway
20
Continue on AZ 188
27 mi·39 min·Apache Trail
21
Turn left onto US 60
1.5 mi·2 min·US 60
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
23
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto West Cottonwood Street
44 ft·1 sec·West Cottonwood Street
25
Arrive at destination
West Cottonwood Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 17m drive time, leaving Flagstaff in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. The route includes just one main stop, so consider breaking up the drive as needed, especially since the longest stretch is 53.5 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the estimated cost is $32, but it's always wise to top off before heading out, particularly on surface roads where services can be spaced further apart. Pay attention to road conditions, as Apache Trail can be more challenging than the initial South Lake Mary Road segment.
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 87.1 miles from Flagstaff, AZ, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 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 38 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.1 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Globe, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff, AZ
This is one driving day of about 174.1 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Flagstaff, 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 South Lake Mary Road for about 53.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 173.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in|West Forest Meadows Street
Turn right onto West Forest Meadows Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
1.8 mi into trip|~4m in|South Beulah Boulevard
Turn left onto South Beulah Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
55.9 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|AZ 87 / State Route 87
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 87 / State Route 87
Navigation decision point
5
91.4 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway
Enter roundabout onto AZ 87; AZ 260 / North Beeline Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
173.5 mi into trip|~4h 16m in|North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.74 one way
$67.49 round trip
$4.92/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.20
$35.66
$71.31
premium
$5.44
$37.27
$74.53
diesel
$5.60
$38.38
$76.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.2
0
$18.28
$8.36
Efficient EV
43.5
0
$15.23
$6.96
EV Truck/SUV
69.6
0
$24.37
$11.14
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Aug 31, 2026
Origin
Flagstaff, AZ
Late night
in Flagstaff on Friday
Local time
4:09 AM
MST
Current temp
71°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 12 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 31 at 3:31PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 31 at 3:24PM MST until August 31 at 4:15PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Globe, AZ
Late night
in Globe on Friday
Local time
4:09 AM
MST
Current temp
78°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 31 at 3:31PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 31 at 3:24PM MST until August 31 at 4:15PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
64°F
Payson, AZ
87 mi in
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 17m 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...
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 72.1
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 10% highway share, meaning most of your 174.1 miles will be on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant turn or change in road type is 53.5 miles on South Lake Mary Road. You'll notice the transition from what is likely more open highway driving to navigating through more varied terrain and potentially smaller towns as you progress. Expect mostly surface road cruising for the bulk of the 4h 17m estimated duration.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.5 mi on South Lake Mary Road.
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 1.7 miles in near West Forest Meadows Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 17m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (West Forest Meadows Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (South Beulah Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 55.9 miles (AZ 87 / State Route 87): Navigation decision point.
Flagstaff is a city of over 75,000 people (2019) near the San Francisco Peaks mountain range of northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon. At an altitude of 6,990 ft (2,130 m), Flagstaff and much of the surrounding region are substantially cooler than the low desert that dominates the southern part of the state. Though still dry by east coast standards, enough rain and snow falls in the area to allow a forest of ponderosa pine trees to cover the landscape. Winters tend to be cold, and heavy snowfall is expected on an annual basis.
Top landmarks
•Lowell Observatory — astronomical observatory
•Weatherford Hotel — United States historic place in Flagstaff, Arizona
•First Baptist Church — historic church in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
Globe is in the Mogollon Rim in Eastern Arizona. Globe was founded in 1875 as a mining town, and still is dependent on mining. The town has many well-preserved buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and can make a pleasant stop.
Top landmarks
•United States Post Office and Courthouse–Globe Main — located in Globe, Arizona and was built in 1926
•Globe Downtown Historic District — historic district in Arizona, United States
•Gila County Courthouse — courthouse in Globe, Arizona
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.5 miles on South Lake Mary Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 1.7 miles (West Forest Meadows Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (South Beulah Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 55.9 miles (AZ 87 / State Route 87): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Tonto National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Globe, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
