Trip from Scottsdale, AZ to Clifton, AZ

Drive Time

4h 28m

Distance

203.4 mi

327 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 15m ★

6 AM

4h 28m

8 AM

4h 55m

10 AM

4h 37m

12 PM

4h 35m

3 PM

4h 39m

5 PM

4h 53m

8 PM

4h 20m

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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Scottsdale, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Clifton, AZ

Stephan Louis

Trip Overview

Spanning 203.4 miles, your journey from Scottsdale to Clifton takes you through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect a travel time of approximately 4 hours and 28 minutes, making this a manageable single-day trip for most drivers. You will primarily navigate via the Phoenix–Globe Highway, the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, and US 191. Budget roughly $40 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since the entire route stays within Arizona, you will experience a consistent regional climate while transitioning from the valley floor toward higher elevations. It is a straightforward trek that works well if you are looking to reach your destination without needing an overnight split.

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

101.7 miles from Scottsdale, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a turn-heavy local profile that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 28% of the journey is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time on smaller, more technical roads. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 71.2 miles while traveling along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Because the route shifts away from fast-paced interstate travel, the experience feels more like a traditional road trip through the landscape. Prepare for a dynamic drive where the road conditions change frequently, keeping the pace engaging from start to finish.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 26 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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Chaparral Road.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 203.4 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: near the start (East Chaparral Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Chaparral Road

Turn right onto East Chaparral Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

1 mi into trip | ~2m in | AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway

Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway

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

Use the none lane.

8.5 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward US 60 East, US 60 West: Globe, Phoenix

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 55A; 55B Toward US 60 East, US 60 West: Globe, Phoenix

8.7 mi into trip | ~11m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 East: Globe

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Exit 55A Toward US 60 East: Globe

9.8 mi into trip | ~13m 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.

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	22.2 mi	25m
West 5th Street	10.5 mi	14m
Coronado Boulevard	9 mi	14m
Pima Freeway	4.9 mi	5m
US 60	4 mi	7m

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

64 ft · 6 sec · this road

Turn right onto East Chaparral Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Chaparral Road

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward AZ 101 Loop South

Merge onto AZ 101 Loop

4.9 mi · 5 min · Pima Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on AZ 101 Loop

2.7 mi · 3 min · Price Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 55A; 55B Toward US 60 East, US 60 West: Globe, Phoenix Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min

Exit 55A Toward US 60 East: Globe Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 60

22 mi · 25 min · Superstition Freeway

Use the none lane.

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

Plan for one dedicated stop along your 203.4-mile path to ensure you stay refreshed and alert. Given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, departing early in the morning allows you to navigate the more technical sections during daylight hours when visibility is at its best. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic or road conditions. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer 71.2-mile segments to avoid any unnecessary stress in more remote areas. A practical tip: check your tire pressure before leaving Scottsdale, as the winding sections of US 191 require consistent handling and stability.

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 101.7 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 2h 15m 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 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 101.7 miles or 2h 15m 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 39m

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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, AZ

This is one driving day of about 203.4 miles and 4h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Scottsdale, 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 101.7 mi from Scottsdale, AZ · 2h 15m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Queen Creek, AZ

102 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.

Tucson, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.7 miles from Scottsdale, 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

$40.48 one way

$80.96 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$42.75	$85.49
premium	$5.59	$44.74	$89.48
diesel	$5.64	$45.19	$90.38

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	61	0	$21.36	$9.76
Efficient EV	50.9	0	$17.80	$8.14
EV Truck/SUV	81.4	1	$28.48	$13.02

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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

Scottsdale, AZ

Afternoon in Scottsdale on Sunday

Local time

4:08 PM

MST

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clifton, AZ

Afternoon in Clifton on Sunday

Local time

4:08 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

13 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 28m 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Clifton, AZ covers 203.4 miles and takes about 4h 28m 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 101.7 miles from Scottsdale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.48 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.

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

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Return Trip

Clifton, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

203.5 mi 3h 39m

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Trip from Scottsdale, AZ to Clifton, 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 Clifton, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Scottsdale, AZ

Clifton, AZ

Same local time

13 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 28m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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