Origin
Tucson, AZ
Afternoon in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
3:34 PM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tucson, AZ to Clifton, AZ
Drive Time
3h 18m
Distance
167.9 mi
270 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 6m
★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 42m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tucson, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Clifton, AZ
Stephan Louis
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 167.9-mile journey from Tucson to Clifton takes you through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 18 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable one-day trip that doesn't strictly require an overnight stay. Your path primarily follows the Tucson-Benson Highway, the Benson-Steins Pass Highway, and the Bowie Junction-Safford Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, the trip remains budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. Whether you are heading north for business or local exploration, this route offers a straightforward connection between two distinct Arizona desert communities. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive comfortably.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84 miles from Tucson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. Only 14% of this route consists of major highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating smaller, more localized roads. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.2 miles while traveling along the Benson-Steins Pass Highway. The character of the road shifts as you transition between these regional corridors, offering a driving experience that feels more connected to the landscape than a typical high-speed sprint. Prepare for a more technical, engaging ride rather than a monotonous, flat highway experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Benson-Steins Pass Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 49.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near South Alvernon Way.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Tucson, AZ to Clifton, AZ is easy. At 3h 18m with 14% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (South Alvernon Way): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway): 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.
4
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
South Alvernon Way
Turn right onto South Alvernon Way
Navigation decision point
6
5.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Turn left toward I 10 East: El Paso
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 10 East: El Paso
5
5.9 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
92.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
US 191
Take the exit onto US 191 toward US 191 North: Safford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 191 North: Safford
4
93.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
Turn left onto US 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Benson-Steins Pass Highway | 49.2 mi | 49m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 37.7 mi | 38m |
| Bowie Junction-Safford Highway | 31.4 mi | 38m |
| US 191 | 24 mi | 28m |
| Coronado Boulevard | 9 mi | 14m |
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| South Alvernon Way | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| North Country Club Road | 1.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
— 49.2 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tucson, AZ and Clifton, AZ.
1
Start on North Country Club Road
199 ft
·
32 sec
·
North Country Club Road
2
Continue on North Country Club Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Country Club Road
3
Take the ramp
160 ft
·
4 sec
4
Turn straight onto AZ 210
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Barraza Aviation Highway
5
Turn straight
155 ft
·
2 sec
Toward Alvernon Way
6
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
this road
Toward Alvernon Way
7
Turn right onto South Alvernon Way
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Alvernon Way
8
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: El Paso
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
49 mi
·
49 min
·
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
11
Take the exit onto US 191
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
US 191
Toward US 191 North: Safford
12
Turn left onto US 191
31 mi
·
38 min
·
Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
13
Turn right onto East Solomon Road
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East Solomon Road
14
Turn left onto South Montierth Lane
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Montierth Lane
15
Turn right onto US 70; US 191
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
16
Turn left onto US 191
24 mi
·
28 min
·
US 191
17
At end of road, turn straight
90 ft
·
2 sec
18
Turn left
82 ft
·
2 sec
19
Turn slight right onto US 191
9.0 mi
·
14 min
·
Coronado Boulevard
20
Arrive at destination
US 191
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though leaving early helps avoid the midday desert heat. Keep in mind that you are limited to just one recommended stop, so choose your break point wisely to maximize your efficiency. Given the high ratio of local roads, ensure your vehicle is prepared for a drive that requires frequent steering and speed adjustments. Because the route is only 167.9 miles, you can easily complete the entire distance in one session without feeling overly fatigued. Always double-check your fuel levels before leaving Tucson, as the specialized nature of the local highway stretches may mean fewer service stations than you would find on a major interstate.
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 84 miles from Tucson, AZ, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.2 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
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 Tucson, 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 Tucson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 167.9 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tucson, 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 Benson-Steins Pass Highway for about 49.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84 mi from Tucson, AZ · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 84 miles from Tucson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$33.41 one way
$66.83 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $35.29 | $70.57 |
| premium | $5.59 | $36.93 | $73.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.30 | $74.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.63 | $8.06 |
| Efficient EV | 42 | 0 | $14.69 | $6.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.51 | $10.75 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Clifton, AZ
Afternoon in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
3:34 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
8 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
3h 18m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Tucson, AZ to Clifton, AZ covers 167.9 miles and takes about 3h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Benson-Steins Pass Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, Bowie Junction-Safford Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84 miles from Tucson, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.41 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Tucson, AZ to Clifton, AZ is easy. At 3h 18m with 14% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (South Alvernon Way): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tucson, AZ to Clifton, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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