Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
199.3 mi
321 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
The drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Clifton, AZ covers 199.3 miles and takes about 4h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Mill Avenue, US 60 East, Superstition Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.85 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
99.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 23m drive with frequent turns across 199.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Mill Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 60 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Superstition Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Live Oak Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 60 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Broad Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Oak Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Clifton, AZ.
Start on West 13th Street
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
Turn left onto US 60 East: Mesa
Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
Continue on Live Oak Street
Continue on US 60
Continue on North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Turn right onto South Hill Street
Turn left onto East Ash Street
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Continue on West Main Street
Continue on West Thatcher Boulevard
Continue on West 5th Street
Turn left
At the end of the road, turn straight
Turn left
Turn slight right onto Coronado Boulevard
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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.6 miles or 2h 11m 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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.6 mi from Tempe Junction, AZ · 2h 11m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 99.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$38.85 one way
$77.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $41.88 | $83.77 |
| premium | $5.57 | $43.67 | $87.35 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $49.95 | $99.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.7 kg one way.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
6:41 AM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
6:41 AM
MST
Current temp
45°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
Queen Creek, AZ
100 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.
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