Drive Time
4h 49m
Distance
251.7 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
The drive from Safford, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ covers 251.7 miles and takes about 4h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Main Street, South 8th Avenue, West Thatcher Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.06 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
125.9 miles from Safford, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 49m drive with frequent turns across 251.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 8th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Thatcher Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Center Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Ash Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Globe-Show Low Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Deuce of Clubs | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Safford, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ.
Start on South 1st Avenue
Turn right onto West Main Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
Turn left onto West Thatcher Boulevard
Continue on West Main Street
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Continue on East Center Street
Continue on East Ash Street
Take the exit right
Merge slight left onto Globe-Show Low Highway
Continue on West Deuce of Clubs
Turn left onto North Penrod Road
Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway
Continue on South Main Street
Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway
Continue on South Main Street
Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway
Continue on Arizona State Highway 77
Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway
Continue on Holbrook-Springerville Highway
Continue on Navajo Boulevard
Turn left onto West Hopi Drive
Take the ramp left toward Holbrook-Springerville Highway
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
Take the exit slight right toward Butler Avenue
Turn right onto East Butler Avenue
Continue on South Ponderosa Parkway
Turn left onto East Route 66
Continue on East Historic Route 66
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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.9 miles or 2h 24m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flagstaff, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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 251.7 miles and 4h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.9 mi from Safford, AZ · 2h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 125.9 miles from Safford, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$49.06 one way
$98.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $52.90 | $105.79 |
| premium | $5.57 | $55.16 | $110.31 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $63.08 | $126.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.5 | 0 | $26.43 | $12.08 |
| Efficient EV | 62.9 | 0 | $22.02 | $10.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.7 | 1 | $35.24 | $16.11 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Safford on Saturday
Local time
3:48 AM
MST
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Flagstaff on Saturday
Local time
3:48 AM
MST
Current temp
30°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
Queen Creek, AZ
126 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.
Explore more options from Safford, AZ or browse trips ending in Flagstaff, AZ.
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