Origin
Surprise, AZ
Afternoon in Surprise on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Surprise, AZ to Clifton, AZ
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
5h 6m
Distance
234.8 mi
378 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 53m
★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 16m
12 PM
5h 13m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 32m
8 PM
4h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Surprise, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Clifton, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Surprise to Clifton takes you on a 234.8-mile journey across the Desert Southwest. Expect to spend about 5 hours and 6 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable one-day trip for most drivers. Your path primarily utilizes the Phoenix–Globe Highway, US 60, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. With a fuel budget of approximately $47, it is a relatively affordable excursion. Since you remain within the same region for the duration of the trip, you will notice a consistent desert character throughout the drive. It is a straightforward route, perfect if you prefer a focused day of travel rather than a multi-day commitment.
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
117.4 miles from Surprise, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed driving profile, balancing fast-paced highway segments with more technical stretches. Only 36% of your journey is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend a significant portion of the drive navigating smaller roads. The longest uninterrupted section you will face is 71.2 miles along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, which requires steady focus. As you transition between these road types, the pace of the drive shifts frequently, preventing the monotony often found on long interstate hauls. You should be prepared for varying road conditions that demand your attention as you navigate toward Clifton.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 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?
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 0.3 miles in near West Santa Fe Drive.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 234.8 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 0.3 miles (West Santa Fe Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (West Greenway Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Santa Fe Drive
At end of road, turn left onto West Santa Fe Drive
Navigation decision point
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Greenway Road
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
14.5 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
6
29.5 mi into trip
|
~38m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
8
35.5 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 60
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Surprise, AZ to Clifton, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Globe
35.5 mi in
|
~45m
|
via US 60
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 71.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 43 mi | 55m |
| US 60 | 31.9 mi | 39m |
| US 191 | 23.7 mi | 28m |
| Papago Freeway | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| West 5th Street | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Coronado Boulevard | 9 mi | 14m |
| Agua Fria Freeway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise, AZ and Clifton, AZ.
1
Start on North Nash Street
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Nash Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto West Santa Fe Drive
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Santa Fe Drive
3
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
217 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Greenway Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto US 60
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
6
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 10
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
10
Continue on I 10
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 60
28 mi
·
32 min
·
US 60
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Live Oak Street
16
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
17
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
18
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
20
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Hill Street
21
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
22
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
70 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
24
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
25
Continue on US 70
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Thatcher Boulevard
26
Continue on US 70
11 mi
·
14 min
·
West 5th Street
27
Turn left onto US 191
24 mi
·
28 min
·
US 191
28
At end of road, turn straight
90 ft
·
2 sec
29
Turn left
82 ft
·
2 sec
30
Turn slight right onto US 191
9.0 mi
·
14 min
·
Coronado Boulevard
31
Arrive at destination
US 191
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 6-minute trek, aim for an early morning departure to avoid mid-day fatigue. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the 71.2-mile stretch on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway can feel long without a break. Keep your $47 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, ensuring you top off before hitting the more isolated sections of the route. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic or weather conditions. Always double-check your vehicle's fluids before leaving Surprise, as the desert climate can be demanding on your engine during such a sustained 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 117.4 miles from Surprise, AZ, or about 2h 34m 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.4 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 10m
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 Surprise, 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 Surprise, AZ
This is one driving day of about 234.8 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Surprise, 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 117.4 mi from Surprise, AZ · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.4 miles from Surprise, 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
$46.78 one way
$93.55 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $49.50 | $99.00 |
| premium | $5.59 | $51.68 | $103.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.84 | $103.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.65 | $11.27 |
| Efficient EV | 58.7 | 0 | $20.54 | $9.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.87 | $15.03 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Destination
Clifton, AZ
Afternoon in Clifton on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
MST
Current temp
85°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
3 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
5h 6m 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 Surprise, AZ to Clifton, AZ covers 234.8 miles and takes about 5h 6m 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 60. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.4 miles from Surprise, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.78 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 is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 234.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (West Santa Fe Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (West Greenway Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Surprise, AZ to Clifton, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
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