Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Afternoon in Tempe Junction on Sunday
Local time
4:13 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe Junction, AZ to Clifton, AZ
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
199.3 mi
321 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 11m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Clifton, AZ
Stephan Louis
Trip Overview
Spanning 199.3 miles, this trek from Tempe Junction to Clifton is a manageable one-day journey that takes roughly 4 hours and 23 minutes to complete. You will navigate a transition through the Desert Southwest, moving from the metropolitan area onto the Phoenix–Globe Highway and eventually the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Because this route is best handled in a single day, you should budget approximately $40 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. While the trip includes one recommended stop, the overall pace is straightforward enough to handle without an overnight stay. It is an ideal choice if you are looking for a direct link between these two Arizona locations without unnecessary complications.
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
99.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied driving experience that shifts from the high-speed Superstition Freeway to more technical, turn-heavy local roads as you head toward Clifton. Only 27% of this journey is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the bulk of your time navigating local stretches that demand your full attention. The longest uninterrupted portion of your drive is a 71.2-mile run along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, which provides a steady rhythm before the route becomes more winding. Prepare for a transition from wide-open desert transit to a more demanding, localized drive style. This change in pace ensures the ride remains engaging throughout the entire 199.3-mile distance.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 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 around 0.2 miles in near South Mill Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 199.3 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: at 0.2 miles (South Mill Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 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
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Mill Avenue
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Turn left toward US 60 East: Mesa
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 60 East: Mesa
5
2.6 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 / straight / slight right lanes.
5
78.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
79.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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 |
| Superstition Freeway | 25.3 mi | 29m |
| US 191 | 23.7 mi | 28m |
| 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 Tempe Junction, AZ and Clifton, AZ.
1
Start on West 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
West 13th Street
2
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Mill Avenue
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 60 East: Mesa
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 60
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
6
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Live Oak Street
7
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the none lane.
9
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
11
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Hill Street
12
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
70 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
15
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
16
Continue on US 70
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Thatcher Boulevard
17
Continue on US 70
11 mi
·
14 min
·
West 5th Street
18
Turn left onto US 191
24 mi
·
28 min
·
US 191
19
At end of road, turn straight
90 ft
·
2 sec
20
Turn left
82 ft
·
2 sec
21
Turn slight right onto US 191
9.0 mi
·
14 min
·
Coronado Boulevard
22
Arrive at destination
US 191
Trip Plan
Since you are facing a 4-hour and 23-minute drive, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and maximize your time in Clifton. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 199.3-mile trip, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the final segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the more populated areas, as the $40 budget assumes steady driving conditions. Because this route is designed as a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic patterns near Tempe Junction. Treat the 71.2-mile stretch on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway as your primary opportunity to settle in, as the road conditions become more technical afterward.
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 99.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 2h 13m 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 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.6 miles or 2h 13m 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 36m
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 Tempe Junction, 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 Tempe Junction, AZ
This is one driving day of about 199.3 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tempe Junction, 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 99.6 mi from Tempe Junction, AZ · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 99.6 miles from Tempe Junction, 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
$39.66 one way
$79.33 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $41.88 | $83.77 |
| premium | $5.59 | $43.84 | $87.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $44.28 | $88.56 |
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: 69.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.93 | $9.57 |
| Efficient EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.44 | $7.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.7 | 0 | $27.90 | $12.76 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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
4:13 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
15 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 23m 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 Tempe Junction, AZ to Clifton, AZ covers 199.3 miles and takes about 4h 23m 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, Superstition Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.66 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 199.3 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: at 0.2 miles (South Mill Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tempe Junction, AZ to Clifton, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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