Trip from Safford, AZ to Goodyear, AZ

Drive Time

3h 59m

Distance

184.3 mi

297 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 46m ★

6 AM

3h 59m

8 AM

4h 25m

10 AM

4h 9m

12 PM

4h 6m

3 PM

4h 10m

5 PM

4h 24m

8 PM

3h 52m

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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Safford, AZ

SHOX ART

Goodyear, AZ

Quang Nguyen Vinh

Trip Overview

Spanning 184.3 miles across the Desert Southwest, this journey from Safford to Goodyear is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 59 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan for a fuel budget of approximately $37 to cover the distance comfortably. You will travel through the heart of Arizona, transitioning from the eastern side of the state toward the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is a practical route for those looking to reach the west valley without unnecessary detours or complicated logistics.

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

92.1 miles from Safford, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate a combination of local roads and high-speed corridors. You will start by traversing the 66.5-mile stretch of East Center Street, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. The route relies on a mix of East Center Street, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Superstition Freeway, with roughly 31% of your time spent on major highways. As you transition from local roads to the freeway system, the pace of the drive shifts significantly. Be prepared for the contrast between the initial segments and the final push into the Goodyear area.

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

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

East Center Street is the longest continuous segment at about 66.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 South 8th Avenue.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 184.3 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 (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 155.7 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.2 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | South 8th Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue

Navigation decision point

155.7 mi into trip | ~3h 24m in | US 60

Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward I 10 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 10 North

161.2 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in | I 10 / Papago Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / slight left lanes.

163.1 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in | I 10 / Papago Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

182.2 mi into trip | ~3h 54m in

Take the exit toward Litchfield Road, Phoenix-Goodyear Airport

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 128 Toward Litchfield Road, Phoenix-Goodyear Airpor...

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
East Center Street	66.5 mi	1h 21m
Phoenix–Globe Highway	42.9 mi	55m
Superstition Freeway	27.1 mi	31m
Papago Freeway	20.5 mi	23m
Maricopa Freeway	4.9 mi	5m
Globe-Lordsburg Highway	4.7 mi	6m
US 60	4.5 mi	8m
West Thatcher Boulevard	2.3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: East Center Street — 66.5 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Safford, AZ and Goodyear, AZ.

Start on US 191

253 ft · 8 sec · South 1st Avenue

Turn right onto West Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue

436 ft · 16 sec · South 8th Avenue

Turn left onto US 70

2.3 mi · 4 min · West Thatcher Boulevard

Continue on US 70

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

Continue on US 70

4.7 mi · 6 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

Continue on US 70

66 mi · 1 hr 21 min · East Center Street

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 70; AZ 77

2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto South Hill Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · South Hill Street

Turn left onto East Oak Street

366 ft · 11 sec · East Oak Street

Turn right onto North Broad Street

0.5 mi · 53 sec · North Broad Street

Continue on US 60

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street

Continue on US 60

4.0 mi · 7 min · US 60

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 60

1.9 mi · 3 min · West Live Oak Street

Continue on US 60

43 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist

27 mi · 31 min · Superstition Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 60

0.6 mi · 38 sec · US 60

Toward I 10 North Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 10; US 60

4.9 mi · 5 min · Maricopa Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none / slight left lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

Continue on I 10

16 mi · 18 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 128 Toward Litchfield Road, Phoenix-Goodyear Airport Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto North Litchfield Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · North Litchfield Road

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on South Litchfield Road

337 ft · 7 sec · South Litchfield Road

Arrive at destination

South Litchfield Road

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 184.3-mile transit, try to coordinate your departure to avoid peak traffic times near the Phoenix metro area. While the trip only requires one planned stop to keep you refreshed, the flexibility of the route allows you to adjust your schedule as needed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Safford, as the $37 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local price changes. Since you have nearly four hours of road time, consider breaking up the monotony by utilizing your one stop halfway through the journey. Staying hydrated is essential when driving across these desert stretches, so keep water accessible in the cabin throughout the drive.

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 92.1 miles from Safford, AZ, or about 2h 5m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92.1 miles or 2h 5m 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 18m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Safford, 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 Safford, AZ

This is one driving day of about 184.3 miles and 3h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Safford, 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 East Center Street for about 66.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 92.1 mi from Safford, AZ · 2h 5m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Queen Creek, AZ

92 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 92.1 miles from Safford, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before East Center Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 miles.

Arriving in Goodyear, AZ

The final approach into Goodyear, 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 Goodyear, 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

$36.68 one way

$73.36 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$38.73	$77.46
premium	$5.59	$40.54	$81.08
diesel	$5.64	$40.95	$81.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	55.3	$19.35	$8.85
Efficient EV	46.1	$16.13	$7.37
EV Truck/SUV	73.7	$25.80	$11.80

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Safford, AZ

Afternoon in Safford on Sunday

Local time

2:17 PM

MST

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Goodyear, AZ

Afternoon in Goodyear on Sunday

Local time

2:17 PM

MST

Current temp

56°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

9 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 59m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Safford, AZ to Goodyear, AZ covers 184.3 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are East Center Street, Phoenix–Globe Highway, Superstition Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 92.1 miles from Safford, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.68 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Safford, AZ to Goodyear, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Goodyear, AZ to Safford, AZ

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184.1 mi 3h 58m

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Trip from Safford, AZ to Goodyear, AZ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Goodyear, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Safford, AZ

Goodyear, AZ

Same local time

9 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 59m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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