How far is Clifton, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance from Clifton, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 234.8 miles (377.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.8 miles (289.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in and county seat of Gila County, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clifton and Surprise.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton and Surprise.
-
1
Start on Coronado Boulevard
9 mi · 13 min · Coronado Boulevard
-
2
Turn straight onto Coronado Boulevard
10.3 mi · 13 min · Coronado Boulevard
-
3
Continue on Safford-Springerville Highway
13.3 mi · 16 min · Safford-Springerville Highway
-
4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Globe-Lordsburg Highway
10 mi · 14 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
-
5
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
123 m · 12 sec · South 1st Avenue
-
6
Turn right onto West Main Street
2563 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
-
7
At the end of the road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
133 m · 17 sec · South 8th Avenue
-
8
Turn left onto West Thatcher Boulevard
2.3 mi · 5 min · West Thatcher Boulevard
-
9
Continue on West Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
-
10
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
4.7 mi · 7 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
-
11
Continue on East Center Street
66.5 mi · 1 hr 22 min · East Center Street
-
12
Continue on East Ash Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street
-
13
Turn right onto South Hill Street
1816 ft · 42 sec · South Hill Street
-
14
Turn left onto East Oak Street
112 m · 11 sec · East Oak Street
-
15
Turn right onto North Broad Street
2583 ft · 54 sec · North Broad Street
-
16
Continue on North Broad Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street
-
17
Continue on US 60
4 mi · 8 min · US 60
-
18
Continue on West Live Oak Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · West Live Oak Street
-
19
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway
-
20
Continue on Superstition Freeway
27.1 mi · 31 min · Superstition Freeway
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 North
2934 ft · 38 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Maricopa Freeway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Maricopa Freeway
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway
-
25
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
-
26
Continue on Papago Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North
1.4 km · 1 min
-
28
Continue on Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward US 60
1831 ft · 37 sec
-
30
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
4.7 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue
-
31
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
65 m · 11 sec · West Greenway Road
-
32
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
1322 ft · 33 sec · Santa Fe Drive
-
33
Turn right onto North Nash Street
1464 ft · 50 sec · North Nash Street
-
34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clifton and Surprise.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Clifton and Mostly Cloudy near Surprise.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clifton to Surprise?
The road trip is about 234.8 miles (377.9 km) and usually takes 04h 14m 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?
Globe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.3 miles from Clifton and 117.5 miles from Surprise.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.8 miles (289.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 55 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 8:30 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.99 one way or $81.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Clifton and Mostly Cloudy near Surprise.
Stop Ideas Near Globe
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Globe.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 179.81 mi (289.38 km).
#1 Clifton
Town in Arizona
| Population | 3,636 |
| Coordinates | 33.0509000, -109.2961800 |
| Altitude | 1060 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Nash Street (-112.333438, 33.630589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 378 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $40.99 | $81.99 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $44.20 | $88.40 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $46.09 | $92.17 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $52.71 | $105.42 |
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 · May 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.