Drive Time
5h 54m
Distance
299.4 mi
482 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
The drive from Flagstaff, AZ to Safford, AZ covers 299.4 miles and takes about 5h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Route 66, South Ponderosa Parkway, East Butler Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.36 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
149.7 miles from Flagstaff, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 54m drive with frequent turns across 299.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Route 66 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Ponderosa Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Butler Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Purple Heart Trail | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Hopi Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Navajo Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Holbrook-Springerville Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Flagstaff, AZ and Safford, AZ.
Start on West Historic Route 66
Continue on East Route 66
Turn right onto South Ponderosa Parkway
Continue on East Butler Avenue
Take the ramp left
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 Business East, US 180, AZ 77 South: Petrified Forest National Park, Show Low
Turn right onto West Hopi Drive
Turn right onto Navajo Boulevard
Continue on Holbrook-Springerville Highway
Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway
Continue on Arizona State Highway 77
Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway
Continue on North Main Street
Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway
Continue on South Main Street
Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway
Continue on North Penrod Road
Turn right onto East Deuce of Clubs
Continue on Globe-Show Low Highway
Turn sharp left onto East Ash Street
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Continue on West Main Street
Continue on West Thatcher Boulevard
Continue on West 5th Street
Turn right onto South 1st Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.7 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Safford, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff, AZ
This is one driving day of about 299.4 miles and 5h 54m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 149.7 mi from Flagstaff, AZ · 2h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 149.7 miles from Flagstaff, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Safford, 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 Safford, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$58.36 one way
$116.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $62.92 | $125.84 |
| premium | $5.57 | $65.61 | $131.22 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $75.04 | $150.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.8 | 1 | $31.44 | $14.37 |
| Efficient EV | 74.9 | 0 | $26.20 | $11.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.8 | 1 | $41.92 | $19.16 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Flagstaff on Saturday
Local time
6:41 AM
MST
Current temp
30°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Safford on Saturday
Local time
6:41 AM
MST
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
Queen Creek, AZ
150 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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