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
The drive from Tucson, AZ to Clifton, AZ covers 167.9 miles and takes about 3h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Country Club Road, East Barraza Aviation Highway, Alvernon Way for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.73 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 39m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 18m drive with frequent turns across 167.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Country Club Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Barraza Aviation Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Alvernon Way | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Alvernon Way | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 10 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Benson-Steins Pass Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 191 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Tucson, AZ and Clifton, AZ.
Start on North Country Club Road
Continue on North Country Club Road
Take the ramp straight
Turn straight onto East Barraza Aviation Highway
Turn straight onto Alvernon Way
Continue on Alvernon Way
Turn right onto South Alvernon Way
Turn left onto I 10 East: El Paso
Merge slight left onto Tucson-Benson Highway
Continue on Benson-Steins Pass Highway
Take the exit slight right toward US 191 North: Safford
Turn left onto Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
Turn right onto East Solomon Road
Turn left onto South Montierth Lane
Turn right onto Globe-Lordsburg Highway
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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84 miles or 1h 39m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84 mi from Tucson, AZ · 1h 39m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 84 miles from Tucson, 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
$32.73 one way
$65.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $35.29 | $70.57 |
| premium | $5.57 | $36.79 | $73.59 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $42.08 | $84.16 |
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.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Tucson on Saturday
Local time
6:42 AM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Clifton on Saturday
Local time
6:42 AM
MST
Current temp
45°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
Queen Creek, AZ
84 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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