Origin
Mesa, AZ
Afternoon in Mesa on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mesa, AZ to Clifton, AZ
Drive Time
4h 16m
Distance
192.8 mi
310 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 3m
★
6 AM
4h 16m
8 AM
4h 43m
10 AM
4h 25m
12 PM
4h 23m
3 PM
4h 27m
5 PM
4h 41m
8 PM
4h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesa, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Clifton, AZ
Stephan Louis
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Mesa to Clifton, expect a 192.8-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. This route stays within the Desert Southwest, taking you from the Phoenix metro area into the more rugged terrain of eastern Arizona. You will primarily navigate via the Phoenix–Globe Highway, the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, and US 191. Since the total drive time is manageable, it works perfectly as a one-day excursion, though you should budget approximately $38 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you will want to stay alert rather than settling into a cruise-control mindset. It is a straightforward trip that rewards drivers who prefer local roads over monotonous interstate travel.
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
96.4 miles from Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a drive that prioritizes local roads over high-speed transit, as only 24% of this journey is spent on major highways. You will experience a mix of driving styles, but the character of the route is defined by its technical, turn-heavy nature. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 71.2-mile segment on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, providing a brief reprieve from more frequent maneuvering. As you transition between these road types, the driving experience shifts from the suburban pace of the Mesa area to the more demanding, winding conditions of the eastern route. Expect to stay engaged with the road throughout the duration, as the infrastructure requires more active steering than a standard desert interstate.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 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?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Mesa Drive.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 192.8 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (North Mesa Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Mesa Drive
Turn left onto North Mesa Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward US 60 East: Globe
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 60 East: Globe
5
3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
71.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
72.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
US 60 / East Ash Street
Turn left onto US 60 / East Ash Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 71.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 43 mi | 55m |
| US 191 | 23.7 mi | 28m |
| Superstition Freeway | 18.5 mi | 21m |
| West 5th Street | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Coronado Boulevard | 9 mi | 14m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| West Thatcher Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Clifton, AZ.
1
Start on East University Drive
73 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Drive
2
Turn left onto North Mesa Drive
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
North Mesa Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on South Mesa Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Mesa Drive
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward US 60 East: Globe
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 60
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
7
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Live Oak Street
8
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
12
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Hill Street
13
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
70 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
16
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
17
Continue on US 70
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Thatcher Boulevard
18
Continue on US 70
11 mi
·
14 min
·
West 5th Street
19
Turn left onto US 191
24 mi
·
28 min
·
US 191
20
At end of road, turn straight
90 ft
·
2 sec
21
Turn left
82 ft
·
2 sec
22
Turn slight right onto US 191
9.0 mi
·
14 min
·
Coronado Boulevard
23
Arrive at destination
US 191
Trip Plan
Because this is a singular 192.8-mile stretch, you have the flexibility to complete the trip in one day with a single planned stop to break up the drive. Leaving Mesa early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the turn-heavy segments before fatigue sets in. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $38 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local station prices along the way. Since the route relies heavily on local roads, check your tire pressure and vehicle fluids before departing, as the winding sections will test your car's handling. Use your one scheduled stop strategically to rest your hands and eyes, ensuring you remain sharp for the technical portions of the journey.
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 96.4 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 2h 9m 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 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.4 miles or 2h 9m 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 30m
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 Mesa, 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 Mesa, AZ
This is one driving day of about 192.8 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mesa, 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 96.4 mi from Mesa, AZ · 2h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.4 miles from Mesa, 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.
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
$38.37 one way
$76.74 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $40.52 | $81.04 |
| premium | $5.59 | $42.41 | $84.82 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.83 | $85.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.8 | 0 | $20.24 | $9.25 |
| Efficient EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.87 | $7.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.1 | 0 | $26.99 | $12.34 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Clifton, AZ
Afternoon in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
4:06 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 16m 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 Mesa, AZ to Clifton, AZ covers 192.8 miles and takes about 4h 16m 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 191. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.4 miles from Mesa, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.37 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 192.8 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Mesa Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mesa, AZ to Clifton, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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