How far is Clifton, AZ from Mesa, AZ?

The driving distance from Clifton, AZ to Mesa, AZ is about 192.9 miles (310.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
192.9 mi
03h 31m
Flight
148.24 mi
238.57 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clifton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
148.24 mi
Kilometers
238.57 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
192.9 mi
Kilometers
310.44 km
Drive Time
03h 31m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mesa
Thu, Apr 23, 12:55 AM MST
Return by in Clifton
Thu, Apr 23, 4:27 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clifton
2026-04-22T21:23
Arrive Mesa
Thu, Apr 23, 12:55 AM MST
Route Timing
03h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 AM MST

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:56 AM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clifton
9:00 PM MST
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Peridot
AZ

Census-designated place in Gila and Graham counties in Arizona, United States

From Clifton
96.4 mi
01h 45m
To Mesa
96.6 mi
01h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MST
Wind
3 to 20 mph W
Destination
87°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and Mesa.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and Mesa.

  1. 1

    Start on Coronado Boulevard

    9 mi · 13 min · Coronado Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn straight onto Coronado Boulevard

    10.3 mi · 13 min · Coronado Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on Safford-Springerville Highway

    13.3 mi · 16 min · Safford-Springerville Highway

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Globe-Lordsburg Highway

    10 mi · 14 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

  5. 5

    Turn left onto South 1st Avenue

    123 m · 12 sec · South 1st Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    2563 ft · 1 min · West Main Street

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue

    133 m · 17 sec · South 8th Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Thatcher Boulevard

    2.3 mi · 5 min · West Thatcher Boulevard

  9. 9

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway

    4.7 mi · 7 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on East Center Street

    66.5 mi · 1 hr 22 min · East Center Street

  12. 12

    Continue on East Ash Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Hill Street

    1816 ft · 42 sec · South Hill Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East Oak Street

    112 m · 11 sec · East Oak Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Broad Street

    2583 ft · 54 sec · North Broad Street

  16. 16

    Continue on North Broad Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street

  17. 17

    Continue on US 60

    4 mi · 8 min · US 60

  18. 18

    Continue on West Live Oak Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · West Live Oak Street

  19. 19

    Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway

    42.9 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway

  20. 20

    Continue on Superstition Freeway

    18.6 mi · 21 min · Superstition Freeway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward Mesa Drive

    2416 ft · 1 min

  22. 22

    Turn right onto South Mesa Drive

    2 mi · 4 min · South Mesa Drive

  23. 23

    Continue on North Mesa Drive

    2684 ft · 1 min · North Mesa Drive

  24. 24

    Turn right onto East University Drive

    22 m · 2 sec · East University Drive

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East University Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and Mesa.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
25 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Center Street
66.5 mi · 34%
Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi · 22%
Coronado Boulevard
19.3 mi · 10%
Superstition Freeway
18.6 mi · 10%
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
14.7 mi · 8%
Safford-Springerville Highway
13.3 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

East Center Street

Continue on East Center Street

66.5 mi · 01h 22m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 31m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.6 mi
148.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Peridot
01h 45m from Clifton
Leave By
9:56 AM MST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Clifton and Sunny near Mesa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Clifton to Mesa?

The road trip is about 192.9 miles (310.4 km) and usually takes 03h 31m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Peridot is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.4 miles from Clifton and 96.6 miles from Mesa.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:56 AM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.72 one way or $67.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clifton and Sunny near Mesa.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Mesa. Straight-line distance: 148.24 mi (238.57 km).

Clifton

#1 Clifton

Town in Arizona

Population3,636
Coordinates33.0509000, -109.2961800
Altitude1060
CountryUnited States
Mesa

#2 Mesa

The fourth most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Mesa metropolitan area.

Population528,159
Coordinates33.4222700, -111.8226400
Altitude378
CountryUnited States
Start: US 191 (-109.295749, 33.050886)
End: East University Drive (-111.82264, 33.422353)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 310 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.81 gal
25.77 L · about $33.72
Round trip
$67.43
13.62 gal · 51.54 L
Estimated CO2
60.5 kg one way
Round trip: 121 kg / 267 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $33.72 $67.43
Mid-grade $5.34 $36.35 $72.70
Premium $5.57 $37.90 $75.81
Diesel $6.37 $43.35 $86.70

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Arizona · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Clifton and Mesa. The current time is 21:23:06.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.