Origin
Chandler, AZ
Afternoon in Chandler on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chandler, AZ to Safford, AZ
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
153.5 mi
247 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chandler, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Safford, AZ
SHOX ART
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Chandler to Safford, expect a 153.5-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 26 minutes to complete. This route keeps you within the Desert Southwest, transitioning from the Phoenix metro area toward the more rugged terrain of Safford. Because the total drive time is manageable, you can easily complete this as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Budget approximately $31 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this path involves utilizing the Santan Freeway, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. It is a straightforward excursion that works well for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two Arizona hubs.
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
76.7 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 14% of this route consists of major highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time on winding, non-interstate roads. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 71.2 miles while traveling on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, which serves as the primary backbone of your trip. The road’s personality shifts from the structured flow of the Santan Freeway to more technical, localized driving conditions. Expect a dynamic experience that requires constant adjustment rather than the monotony of a straight interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Globe-Lordsburg Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 71.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 153.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
5.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Turn left toward AZ 202 Loop East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
5
6.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
15.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward US 60 East: Globe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30A
Toward US 60 East: Globe
5
16.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
75.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 71.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 43 mi | 55m |
| Santan Freeway | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| Superstition Freeway | 8 mi | 9m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| East Chandler Boulevard | 3 mi | 5m |
| East Williams Field Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| West Thatcher Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Safford, AZ.
1
Start on East Chandler Boulevard
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Chandler Boulevard
Use the none lane.
2
Continue on East Williams Field Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Williams Field Road
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Santan Freeway
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 30A
Toward US 60 East: Globe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto US 60
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
8
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Live Oak Street
9
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the none lane.
11
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
13
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Hill Street
14
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Use the none lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
70 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
17
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
18
Continue on US 70
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Thatcher Boulevard
19
Continue on US 70
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 5th Street
20
Turn right onto US 191
151 ft
·
3 sec
·
South 1st Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
US 191
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop, you can easily pace yourself to avoid fatigue during the more technical sections of the highway. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before heading onto the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, as the 71.2-mile stretch is the most significant portion of your journey where services might be spaced out. Aim to head out early in the day to navigate the turn-heavy segments in daylight hours, ensuring better visibility for the road ahead. Given the total duration of 3 hours and 26 minutes, packing a few snacks and water will help you stay comfortable between your planned stops.
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 76.7 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 80 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.7 miles or 1h 46m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Safford, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chandler, 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 Chandler, AZ
This is one driving day of about 153.5 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chandler, 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 Globe-Lordsburg Highway for about 71.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.7 mi from Chandler, AZ · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.7 miles from Chandler, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Globe-Lordsburg Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.
Arriving in Safford, AZ
The final approach into Safford, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Safford, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.55 one way
$61.10 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $32.26 | $64.52 |
| premium | $5.59 | $33.76 | $67.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.10 | $68.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.12 | $7.37 |
| Efficient EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.43 | $6.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.49 | $9.82 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Safford, AZ
Afternoon in Safford on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
47°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
44 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chandler, AZ to Safford, AZ covers 153.5 miles and takes about 3h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Globe-Lordsburg Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, Santan Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.7 miles from Chandler, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.55 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 153.5 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Chandler, AZ to Safford, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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