Clifton, AZ to Tempe, AZ is 197.3 miles and takes about 4h 20m via East Center Street and Superstition Freeway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, offering a familiar landscape as you journey through Arizona. Expect a drive that involves frequent turns, making it feel more like navigating local roads than a straight-shot interstate. Given its manageable length and single recommended day, this route is ideal for a straightforward drive with minimal planning.
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
98.6 miles from Clifton, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 197.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive is characterized as a turn-heavy local experience, with only 13% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 66.5 miles on East Center Street, which may involve more varied terrain and speed changes than a typical freeway. The Phoenix–Globe Highway and Superstition Freeway sections will offer a different driving feel, likely more direct. Be prepared for a dynamic route that requires attention to navigation as you transition between different road types.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 32.6 miles in near US 70; US 191 / Globe-Lordsburg Highway.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 20m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 32.6 miles (US 70; US 191 / Globe-Lordsburg Highway): Navigation decision point; at 42.7 miles (US 191 / South 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 43.2 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
32.6 mi into trip|~41m in|US 70; US 191 / Globe-Lordsburg Highway
At end of road, turn right onto US 70; US 191 / Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Navigation decision point
4
42.7 mi into trip|~55m in|US 191 / South 1st Avenue
Turn left onto US 191 / South 1st Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
43.2 mi into trip|~56m in|South 8th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
193.2 mi into trip|~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 176B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
8
195.2 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East Center Street
66.5 mi
1h 21m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi
55m
Superstition Freeway
21.9 mi
25m
Coronado Boulevard
19.3 mi
25m
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
14.7 mi
20m
Safford-Springerville Highway
13.3 mi
15m
US 60
4 mi
7m
West Thatcher Boulevard
2.3 mi
4m
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 Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on US 191
9.0 mi·12 min·Coronado Boulevard
2
Turn straight onto US 191
10 mi·12 min·Coronado Boulevard
3
Continue on US 191
13 mi·15 min·Safford-Springerville Highway
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 70; US 191
10 mi·13 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
5
Turn left onto US 191
403 ft·11 sec·South 1st Avenue
6
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
7
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
436 ft·16 sec·South 8th Avenue
8
Turn left onto US 70
2.3 mi·4 min·West Thatcher Boulevard
9
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
10
Continue on US 70
4.7 mi·6 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
11
Continue on US 70
66 mi·1 hr 21 min·East Center Street
12
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
2.3 mi·4 min·East Ash Street
13
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Hill Street
14
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·11 sec·East Oak Street
15
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·North Broad Street
16
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
17
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
18
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·West Live Oak Street
19
Continue on US 60
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
22 mi·25 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 176BToward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
0.3 mi·23 sec·Price Freeway
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 53Toward Broadway Road, Apache BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn straight onto South Price Road
302 ft·7 sec·South Price Road
25
Turn left onto East Broadway Road
1.1 mi·2 min·East Broadway Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
0.5 mi·57 sec·South McClintock Drive
27
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
137 ft·10 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Start your drive from Clifton, AZ, early in the day to make the most of the daylight, especially considering the 4h 20m estimated duration. With only one recommended day and a fuel cost around $39, you have flexibility. Plan for potential stops as needed, particularly during the longer stretches. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be less frequent on certain local road segments compared to major interstates. The turn-heavy nature of this route means staying attentive to your GPS or navigation system is key.
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 98.6 miles from Clifton, AZ, or about 2h 8m 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 43 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.6 miles or 2h 8m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe, 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 197.3 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 98.6 mi from Clifton, AZ
· 2h 8m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 163.3
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 129.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.30 one way
$78.61 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$41.60
$83.19
premium
$5.59
$43.43
$86.86
diesel
$5.61
$43.56
$87.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.2
0
$20.72
$9.47
Efficient EV
49.3
0
$17.26
$7.89
EV Truck/SUV
78.9
0
$27.62
$12.63
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clifton, AZ
Late night
in Clifton on Friday
Local time
3:48 AM
MST
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Late night
in Tempe on Friday
Local time
3:48 AM
MST
Current temp
93°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
8 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 20m 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 Tempe, AZ covers 197.3 miles and takes about 4h 20m 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 98.6 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 $39.30 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.
This is a straightforward 4h 20m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.6 miles (US 70; US 191 / Globe-Lordsburg Highway): Navigation decision point; at 42.7 miles (US 191 / South 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 43.2 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Clifton, AZ to Tempe, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
