Origin
Maryvale, AZ
Afternoon in Maryvale on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
3h 49m
Distance
174.9 mi
281 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maryvale, AZ
Mikhail Nilov
Safford, AZ
SHOX ART
Traveling from Maryvale to Safford covers 174.9 miles across the Desert Southwest, typically taking about 3 hours and 49 minutes of drive time. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Phoenix–Globe Highway, US 60, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Plan for a fuel budget of approximately $35 to cover the trip. It is a straightforward route that keeps you within the desert landscape from start to finish, making it a practical choice for a direct commute or a quick getaway.
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
87.4 miles from Maryvale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless cruise on an interstate. With only 26% of the route consisting of highway, you will spend most of your time navigating local roads that require more engagement behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted section is a 71.2-mile stretch on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, which offers the most consistent pace of the entire journey. As you transition between these segments, the road character shifts from suburban exits to more technical stretches, so be prepared for varied driving conditions throughout the 174.9-mile trip.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near West Indian School Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 174.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (West Indian School Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (North 51st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto North 51st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left toward I 10 East: Tucson
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
On the drive from Maryvale, AZ to Safford, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Globe
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 71.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 43 mi | 55m |
| US 60 | 31.9 mi | 39m |
| Papago Freeway | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| West Thatcher Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| East Ash Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| North 51st Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Maryvale, AZ and Safford, AZ.
Start on North 55th Avenue
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
Turn right onto North 51st Avenue
Turn left
Merge onto I 10
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Merge onto I 10; US 60
Take the exit onto US 60
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Turn right onto South Hill Street
Turn left onto US 60
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
Continue on US 70
Continue on US 70
Continue on US 70
Turn right onto US 191
Arrive at destination
Since the trip takes nearly four hours, you should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and manage your fuel consumption. Aim to depart early in the day to avoid the heaviest traffic, especially when navigating the segments that rely on local roads. Keep your $35 fuel budget in mind as you pace your stops, ensuring you don't find yourself low on gas during the longer stretches. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize your fuel stops before hitting the 71.2-mile stretch on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, as this section provides the least opportunity for quick, convenient turn-offs.
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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.4 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Safford, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Maryvale, 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 Maryvale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 174.9 miles and 3h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.4 mi from Maryvale, AZ · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 87.4 miles from Maryvale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Globe-Lordsburg Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.
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
$34.81 one way
$69.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $36.76 | $73.51 |
| premium | $5.59 | $38.47 | $76.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.86 | $77.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.36 | $8.40 |
| Efficient EV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.30 | $7.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70 | 0 | $24.49 | $11.19 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Maryvale on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Safford on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
MST
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Maryvale, AZ or browse trips ending in Safford, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Maryvale, AZ or Safford, AZ on MapSof.net.