Origin
Clifton, AZ
Afternoon in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
MST
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ
Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
203.5 mi
328 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, AZ
Stephan Louis
Scottsdale, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Spanning 203.5 miles across the Desert Southwest, this trip from Clifton to Scottsdale typically takes about 3 hours and 39 minutes behind the wheel. Because the total duration is relatively manageable, you can easily complete this journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate using a series of local roads, including Coronado Boulevard, the Safford-Springerville Highway, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Budget roughly $40 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Arizona points. Since you are staying within the same desert region, the landscape remains consistent as you transition from the smaller community of Clifton to the urban environment of Scottsdale. It is a straightforward trek that works well for those looking to reach the valley floor efficiently.
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 , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a technical and turn-heavy experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route contains no highway mileage. You will spend your time navigating local roads, meaning your attention will be required on the curves rather than maintaining high-speed highway travel. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on Coronado Boulevard is 0 miles, you should anticipate constant adjustments and frequent road transitions throughout the drive. The personality of this trip is defined by its local character, requiring you to stay alert through the various segments of the Safford-Springerville and Globe-Lordsburg highways. It is an engaging, hands-on drive that keeps you connected to the local topography of Arizona.
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.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 39m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clifton, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Coronado Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Safford-Springerville Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 1st Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 8th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Thatcher Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Center Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Coronado Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on Coronado Boulevard
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Coronado Boulevard
2
Turn straight onto Coronado Boulevard
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Coronado Boulevard
3
Continue on Safford-Springerville Highway
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Safford-Springerville Highway
4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Globe-Lordsburg Highway
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
5
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
404 ft
·
12 sec
·
South 1st Avenue
6
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
7
At the end of the road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
436 ft
·
17 sec
·
South 8th Avenue
8
Turn left onto West Thatcher Boulevard
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Thatcher Boulevard
9
Continue on West Main Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
10
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
11
Continue on East Center Street
66 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
East Center Street
12
Continue on East Ash Street
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
13
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Hill Street
14
Turn left onto East Oak Street
367 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
15
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
North Broad Street
16
Continue on North Broad Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
17
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
18
Continue on West Live Oak Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Live Oak Street
19
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
20
Continue on Superstition Freeway
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Superstition Freeway
21
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
AZ 101 Loop North
22
Merge slight left onto Price Freeway
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Price Freeway
23
Continue on Pima Freeway
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Pima Freeway
24
Take the exit slight right toward Chaparral Road
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Chaparral Road
25
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
26
Turn left
62 ft
·
5 sec
27
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Plan for one dedicated stop during your 203.5-mile journey to stretch your legs and break up the technical nature of the local roads. Since the drive is under four hours, you have the flexibility to depart mid-morning and still arrive in Scottsdale with plenty of daylight to spare. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Clifton, as the $40 cost estimate is based on typical consumption for a route with this much turning and road variation. Because you are traveling on local infrastructure rather than major interstates, ensure your vehicle is prepared for consistent gear changes and slower speeds. A helpful tip is to map out your one intended stop along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway segment to ensure you have a convenient place to rest before the final push into the city.
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, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.8 miles or 1h 49m 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
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.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.8 mi from Clifton, AZ · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
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 101.8 miles from Clifton, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Scottsdale, AZ
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.50 one way
$81.00 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $42.77 | $85.53 |
| premium | $5.59 | $44.76 | $89.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.21 | $90.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.37 | $9.77 |
| Efficient EV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.81 | $8.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.4 | 1 | $28.49 | $13.02 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Afternoon in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
MST
Current temp
58°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
13 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 39m 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 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 $40.50 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 is a straightforward 3h 39m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clifton, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Clifton, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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