Origin
Clifton, AZ
Evening in Clifton on Wednesday
Local time
5:22 PM
MST
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, AZ to Tucson, AZ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
167.7 mi
270 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tucson, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 167.7-mile drive from Clifton to Tucson, Arizona, is a manageable 2-hour and 53-minute journey, making it an excellent option for a single day trip. You'll navigate primarily on Coronado Boulevard, Safford-Springerville Highway, and Globe-Lordsburg Highway, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $33, and with just one recommended stop, it's a fairly direct path. This route offers a straightforward experience through the Desert Southwest region, ideal if you're looking for a simple transfer between two points in Arizona.
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
83.9 miles from Clifton, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this entire 167.7-mile trip, as it features 0% highway driving. The route is characterized by frequent changes in direction, indicative of a more intimate connection with the local landscape rather than long, open stretches. While there isn't a designated longest uninterrupted stretch mentioned, the profile suggests a continuous engagement with the road, requiring your attention throughout the 2-hour and 53-minute duration. You'll be experiencing the nuances of local roads without the interruption of high-speed highway sections.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 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. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Clifton, AZ to Tucson, AZ is easy. At 2h 53m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clifton, AZ to Tucson, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Coronado Boulevard | — | — |
| Safford-Springerville Highway | — | — |
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | — | — |
| South Montierth Lane | — | — |
| East Solomon Road | — | — |
| South 1st Avenue | — | — |
| Benson-Steins Pass Highway | — | — |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Coronado Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, AZ and Tucson, 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
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
5
Turn left onto South Montierth Lane
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Montierth Lane
6
Turn right onto East Solomon Road
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East Solomon Road
7
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
31 mi
·
38 min
·
South 1st Avenue
8
Take the exit right
0.5 mi
·
1 min
9
Merge slight left onto Benson-Steins Pass Highway
49 mi
·
49 min
·
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
10
Continue on Tucson-Benson Highway
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
11
Take the exit slight right toward Alvernon Way North
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Alvernon Way North
12
Turn straight onto South Alvernon Way
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alvernon Way
13
Keep slight right to continue on South Alvernon Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alvernon Way
14
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
15
Turn straight onto East Barraza Aviation Highway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Barraza Aviation Highway
16
Turn right onto South Country Club Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Country Club Road
17
Continue on North Country Club Road
92 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Country Club Road
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 53-minute duration and 167.7-mile distance, departing Clifton in the morning allows ample time to reach Tucson comfortably within a single day. With an estimated fuel cost of $33 and only one stop recommended, you can plan to refuel before leaving Clifton to ensure you have enough for the entire trip. Pay close attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of this drive; keeping navigation handy will be key to smoothly navigating the various local roads like Coronado Boulevard and Safford-Springerville Highway. This flexibility means you can depart at your leisure, but don't underestimate the need for focus on the turns.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.9 miles from Clifton, AZ, or about 1h 26m 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 37 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.9 miles or 1h 26m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tucson, 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 167.7 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 83.9 mi from Clifton, AZ · 1h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.9 miles from Clifton, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tucson, AZ
The final approach into Tucson, 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 Tucson, 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
$33.41 one way
$66.82 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $35.36 | $70.71 |
| premium | $5.59 | $36.91 | $73.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.03 | $74.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.61 | $8.05 |
| Efficient EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.67 | $6.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.1 | 0 | $23.48 | $10.73 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Tucson, AZ
Evening in Tucson on Wednesday
Local time
5:22 PM
MST
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
WSW 3 to 14 mph
8% chance
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
34 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
2h 53m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Tucson, AZ covers 167.7 miles and takes about 2h 53m 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 83.9 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 $33.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Clifton, AZ to Tucson, AZ is easy. At 2h 53m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clifton, AZ to Tucson, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Clifton, AZ to Tucson, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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