Trip from Clifton, AZ to Glendale, AZ

Drive Time

4h 46m

Distance

217.6 mi

350 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 33m ★

6 AM

4h 46m

8 AM

5h 13m

10 AM

4h 56m

12 PM

4h 53m

3 PM

4h 57m

5 PM

5h 12m

8 PM

4h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Clifton, AZ

Stephan Louis

Glendale, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

Spanning 217.6 miles across the Desert Southwest, your journey from Clifton to Glendale typically takes about 4 hours and 46 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $43 on fuel, so keep that in your travel budget as you prepare for the trek. You will navigate a variety of routes, moving from East Center Street onto the Phoenix–Globe Highway and eventually finishing on the Superstition Freeway. Since the trip remains entirely within Arizona’s Desert Southwest, the environmental transition is subtle but steady. It is a straightforward trek for those comfortable with a local, turn-heavy driving experience.

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

108.8 miles from Clifton, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a drive that shifts significantly in its personality as you move from local roads to major freeways. With only 19% of the journey spent on highways, the vast majority of your time is dedicated to a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. You will start with the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip, covering 66.5 miles along East Center Street. This initial portion sets the pace before you transition into the more familiar flow of the Phoenix–Globe Highway and the Superstition Freeway. Anticipate constant changes in road dynamics, as the route requires you to stay alert through winding local sections before reaching the faster, more predictable freeway segments.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

East Center Street is the longest continuous segment at about 66.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 198.5 miles in near US 60.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 217.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 198.5 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 203.9 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.8 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 10 North

203.9 mi into trip | ~4h 25m in | I 10 / Papago Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / slight left lanes.

205.8 mi into trip | ~4h 27m in | I 10 / Papago Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

210 mi into trip | ~4h 32m in

Take the exit toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 143C Toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue

210.3 mi into trip | ~4h 33m in | North 19th Avenue

Turn right onto North 19th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes.

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
Grand Avenue	7.1 mi	12m
Papago Freeway	5.6 mi	6m

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 Glendale, AZ.

Start on US 191

9.0 mi · 12 min · Coronado Boulevard

Turn straight onto US 191

10 mi · 12 min · Coronado Boulevard

Continue on US 191

13 mi · 15 min · Safford-Springerville Highway

At end of road, turn right onto US 70; US 191

10 mi · 13 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

Turn left onto US 191

403 ft · 11 sec · South 1st Avenue

Turn right onto West Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue

436 ft · 16 sec · South 8th Avenue

Turn left onto US 70

2.3 mi · 4 min · West Thatcher Boulevard

Continue on US 70

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

Continue on US 70

4.7 mi · 6 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

Continue on US 70

66 mi · 1 hr 21 min · East Center Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 70; AZ 77

2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto South Hill Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · South Hill Street

Turn left onto East Oak Street

366 ft · 11 sec · East Oak Street

Turn right onto North Broad Street

0.5 mi · 53 sec · North Broad Street

Continue on US 60

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street

Continue on US 60

4.0 mi · 7 min · US 60

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 60

1.9 mi · 3 min · West Live Oak Street

Continue on US 60

43 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist

27 mi · 31 min · Superstition Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 60

0.6 mi · 38 sec · US 60

Toward I 10 North Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 10; US 60

4.9 mi · 5 min · Maricopa Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none / slight left lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

Continue on I 10

0.9 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Exit 143C Toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto North 19th Avenue

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North 19th Avenue

Use the left / right lanes.

Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue

7.1 mi · 12 min · Grand Avenue

Use the left / slight left lanes.

Arrive at destination

US 60

Trip Plan

Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel before hitting the heavier traffic near the end of your route. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the turn-heavy local segments while visibility is at its peak. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 66.5-mile stretch on East Center Street, as services may be less frequent than on the later freeway sections. Because the total duration is under five hours, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace based on local traffic conditions. Prioritize checking your tire pressure before departure, as the varied road types will subject your vehicle to different handling demands throughout the day.

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 108.8 miles from Clifton, AZ, or about 2h 21m 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 80 miles or 1h 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 108.8 miles or 2h 21m 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 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, 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 217.6 miles and 4h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 108.8 mi from Clifton, AZ · 2h 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Queen Creek, AZ

109 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

Tucson, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Queen Creek, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.8 miles from Clifton, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before East Center Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 miles.

Arriving in Glendale, AZ

The final approach into Glendale, 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 Glendale, 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

$43.31 one way

$86.61 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$45.73	$91.46
premium	$5.59	$47.86	$95.73
diesel	$5.64	$48.34	$96.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	65.3	0	$22.85	$10.44
Efficient EV	54.4	0	$19.04	$8.70
EV Truck/SUV	87	1	$30.46	$13.93

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Clifton, AZ

Afternoon in Clifton on Sunday

Local time

3:43 PM

MST

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Glendale, AZ

Afternoon in Glendale on Sunday

Local time

3:43 PM

MST

Current temp

59°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

14 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 46m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Clifton, AZ to Glendale, AZ covers 217.6 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are East Center Street, Phoenix–Globe Highway, Superstition Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 108.8 miles from Clifton, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.31 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from Clifton, AZ to Glendale, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Glendale, AZ to Clifton, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

218.7 mi 4h 48m

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Trip from Clifton, AZ to Glendale, AZ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Glendale, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Clifton, AZ

Glendale, AZ

Same local time

14 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 46m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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