Trip from Clifton, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ

Drive Time

3h 39m

Distance

203.5 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Same-day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Clifton, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ covers 203.5 miles and takes about 3h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Coronado Boulevard, Safford-Springerville Highway, Globe-Lordsburg Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.67 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

101.8 miles from Clifton, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 39m drive with frequent turns across 203.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

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

There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Coronado Boulevard is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Coronado Boulevard	0 mi	0m
Safford-Springerville Highway	0 mi	0m
Globe-Lordsburg Highway	0 mi	0m
South 1st Avenue	0 mi	0m
West Main Street	0 mi	0m
South 8th Avenue	0 mi	0m
West Thatcher Boulevard	0 mi	0m
East Center Street	0 mi	0m

Longest stretch: Coronado Boulevard — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on Coronado Boulevard

2

Turn straight onto Coronado Boulevard

3

Continue on Safford-Springerville Highway

4

At the end of the road, turn right onto Globe-Lordsburg Highway

5

Turn left onto South 1st Avenue

6

Turn right onto West Main Street

7

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

8

Turn left onto West Thatcher Boulevard

9

Continue on West Main Street

10

Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway

11

Continue on East Center Street

12

Continue on East Ash Street

13

Turn right onto South Hill Street

14

Turn left onto East Oak Street

15

Turn right onto North Broad Street

16

Continue on North Broad Street

17

Continue on US 60

18

Continue on West Live Oak Street

19

Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway

20

Continue on Superstition Freeway

21

Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North

22

Merge slight left onto Price Freeway

23

Continue on Pima Freeway

24

Take the exit slight right toward Chaparral Road

25

Turn left onto East Chaparral Road

26

Turn left

27

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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 101.8 miles from Clifton, AZ.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles

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

Halfway reset

Around 101.8 miles

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Last hour of driving

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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Clifton, AZ

This is one driving day of about 203.5 miles and 3h 39m.

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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Queen Creek, AZ

102 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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

The final approach into Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, AZ.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 101.8 mi from Clifton, AZ

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 101.8 miles from Clifton, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$4.95	$39.67	$79.33
midgrade	$5.34	$42.77	$85.53
premium	$5.57	$44.59	$89.19
diesel	$6.37	$51.00	$102.01

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Clifton, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ covers 203.5 miles and takes about 3h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Coronado Boulevard, Safford-Springerville Highway, Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 101.8 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 $39.67 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.