Trip from Glendale, AZ to Clifton, AZ

Drive Time

4h 48m

Distance

218.7 mi

352 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 35m ★

6 AM

4h 48m

8 AM

5h 15m

10 AM

4h 58m

12 PM

4h 55m

3 PM

4h 59m

5 PM

5h 14m

8 PM

4h 40m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Glendale, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Clifton, AZ

Stephan Louis

Trip Overview

Traveling from Glendale to Clifton covers 218.7 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay, making it a perfect one-day expedition. Your route primarily follows the Phoenix–Globe Highway, US 60, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, keeping you within the Desert Southwest region the entire time. Budgeting around $44 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. This trip offers a straightforward path between these two Arizona locations, providing a clear itinerary for travelers looking to move efficiently through the state.

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

109.3 miles from Glendale, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions through various road types as you head toward Clifton. With only 31% of the trip spent on major highways, you will encounter a blend of faster transit and more local road conditions. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 71.2 miles on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, which requires steady focus. The character of the road shifts as you navigate away from the Glendale area, moving into the distinct terrain of the Desert Southwest. Be prepared for a drive that demands varied attention levels as the road environment changes throughout the 218.7-mile trek.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

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

Globe-Lordsburg Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 71.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in near US 60 / West Thomas Road.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 218.7 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 6.4 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6.4 mi into trip | ~11m in | US 60 / West Thomas Road

Turn left onto US 60 / West Thomas Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / slight left lanes.

6.6 mi into trip | ~12m in | US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway

Turn right onto US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway

Navigation decision point

6.9 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 17 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 17 South

7 mi into trip | ~12m in | I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway

Merge onto I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

19.4 mi into trip | ~27m in | US 60

Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 154 Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Glendale, AZ to Clifton, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.

Globe

19.4 mi in | ~27m | via US 60

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Globe-Lordsburg Highway	71.2 mi	1h 28m
Phoenix–Globe Highway	43 mi	55m
US 60	32.4 mi	41m
US 191	23.7 mi	28m
West 5th Street	10.5 mi	14m
Coronado Boulevard	9 mi	14m
Maricopa Freeway	8.8 mi	10m
Grand Avenue	5.9 mi	10m

Longest stretch: Globe-Lordsburg Highway — 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, AZ and Clifton, AZ.

Start on US 60

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Grand Avenue

Continue on US 60

5.5 mi · 9 min · Grand Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the exit onto US 60

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 60

Toward 27th Avenue

Turn left onto US 60

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Thomas Road

Use the left / slight left lanes.

Turn right onto US 60

0.3 mi · 28 sec · North Black Canyon Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 17 South

Merge onto I 17; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Black Canyon Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 17; US 60

8.8 mi · 10 min · Maricopa Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto US 60

28 mi · 32 min · US 60

Exit 154 Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist

43 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.

Continue on US 60

1.9 mi · 3 min · Live Oak Street

Continue on US 60

4.0 mi · 7 min · US 60

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 60

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto North Broad Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Broad Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto East Oak Street

366 ft · 9 sec · East Oak Street

Turn right onto South Hill Street

0.3 mi · 39 sec · South Hill Street

Turn left onto US 60

2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 70; AZ 77

0.8 mi · 1 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77

70 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

Continue on US 70

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

Continue on US 70

2.3 mi · 4 min · West Thatcher Boulevard

Continue on US 70

11 mi · 14 min · West 5th Street

Turn left onto US 191

24 mi · 28 min · US 191

At end of road, turn straight

90 ft · 2 sec

Turn left

82 ft · 2 sec

Turn slight right onto US 191

9.0 mi · 14 min · Coronado Boulevard

Arrive at destination

US 191

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4 hour and 48 minute journey, consider departing early in the morning to avoid midday traffic and ensure you reach your destination with plenty of daylight. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to stretch your legs, especially given the 71.2-mile stretch on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Since you are looking at a $44 fuel expense, check your tank before leaving Glendale to ensure you aren't forced to fuel up at higher-priced remote stations. Use the inherent flexibility of this one-day route to adjust your pace based on road conditions. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation tools handy for the transition between US 60 and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway to stay on the most efficient path.

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 109.3 miles from Glendale, AZ, or about 2h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.3 miles or 2h 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 3h 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Glendale, 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 Glendale, AZ

This is one driving day of about 218.7 miles and 4h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Glendale, 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 Globe-Lordsburg Highway for about 71.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 109.3 mi from Glendale, AZ · 2h 26m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Queen Creek, AZ

109 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

Queen Creek, 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 109.3 miles from Glendale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Globe-Lordsburg Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.

Arriving in Clifton, AZ

The final approach into Clifton, 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 Clifton, 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

$43.52 one way

$87.05 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$45.96	$91.92
premium	$5.59	$48.11	$96.21
diesel	$5.64	$48.59	$97.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	65.6	0	$22.96	$10.50
Efficient EV	54.7	0	$19.14	$8.75
EV Truck/SUV	87.5	1	$30.62	$14.00

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Glendale, AZ

Afternoon in Glendale on Sunday

Local time

3:43 PM

MST

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clifton, AZ

Afternoon in Clifton on Sunday

Local time

3:43 PM

MST

Current temp

45°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

14 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

4h 48m 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 Glendale, AZ to Clifton, AZ covers 218.7 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Globe-Lordsburg Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, US 60. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 109.3 miles from Glendale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.52 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.

On the drive from Glendale, AZ to Clifton, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.

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Return Trip

Clifton, AZ to Glendale, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

217.6 mi 4h 46m

Explore more options from Glendale, AZ or browse trips ending in Clifton, AZ.

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Trip from Glendale, AZ to Clifton, AZ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Clifton, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Glendale, AZ

Clifton, AZ

Same local time

14 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 48m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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