How far is Mesa, AZ from Clifton, AZ?

The driving distance from Mesa, AZ to Clifton, AZ is about 192.9 miles (310.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 32m 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
192.84 mi
04h 16m
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 Mesa.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
192.84 mi
Kilometers
310.35 km
Drive Time
04h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clifton
Sat, Apr 11, 9:27 AM MST
Return by in Mesa
Sat, Apr 11, 1:43 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mesa
2026-04-11T05:11
Arrive Clifton
Sat, Apr 11, 9:27 AM MST
Route Timing
04h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:16 AM to 12:16 PM MST

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

Leave by
8:28 AM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mesa
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 Mesa
96.4 mi
02h 08m
To Clifton
96.5 mi
02h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW
Destination
47°F
Saturday Night

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 11:00 AM MST
Wind
2 to 13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East University Drive

    22 m · 9 sec · East University Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Mesa Drive

    2619 ft · 56 sec · North Mesa Drive

  3. 3

    Continue on South Mesa Drive

    2 mi · 4 min · South Mesa Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto US 60 East: Globe

    2094 ft · 55 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway

    18.5 mi · 21 min · Superstition Freeway

  6. 6

    Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway

    43 mi · 56 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Live Oak Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Live Oak Street

  8. 8

    Continue on US 60

    4 mi · 8 min · US 60

  9. 9

    Continue on North Broad Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto North Broad Street

    2703 ft · 1 min · North Broad Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East Oak Street

    112 m · 9 sec · East Oak Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Hill Street

    1816 ft · 40 sec · South Hill Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East Ash Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway

    70.4 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

  17. 17

    Continue on West Thatcher Boulevard

    2.3 mi · 5 min · West Thatcher Boulevard

  18. 18

    Continue on West 5th Street

    10.5 mi · 15 min · West 5th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left

    23.7 mi · 28 min

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn straight

    27 m · 3 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left

    25 m · 2 sec

  22. 22

    Turn slight right onto Coronado Boulevard

    9 mi · 14 min · Coronado Boulevard

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Coronado Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
1 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
71.2 mi · 37%
Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi · 22%
Superstition Freeway
18.5 mi · 10%
West 5th Street
10.5 mi · 5%
Coronado Boulevard
8.97 mi · 5%
US 60
3.96 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Globe-Lordsburg Highway

Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway

70.4 mi · 01h 27m

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
04h 16m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.6 mi
148.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Peridot
02h 08m from Mesa
Leave By
8:28 AM MST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Mesa and Mostly Clear near Clifton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 192.9 miles (310.4 km) and usually takes 04h 16m 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 Mesa and 96.5 miles from Clifton.

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 8:28 AM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.38 one way or $64.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

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

Mesa

#1 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
Clifton

#2 Clifton

Town in Arizona

Population3,636
Coordinates33.0509000, -109.2961800
Altitude1060
CountryUnited States
Start: Mesa (-111.82264, 33.42227)
End: Clifton (-109.29618, 33.0509)

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
6.54 gal
24.75 L · about $32.38
Round trip
$64.76
13.08 gal · 49.5 L
Estimated CO2
58.1 kg one way
Round trip: 116.2 kg / 256 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $32.38 $64.76
Mid-grade $5.34 $34.91 $69.82
Premium $5.57 $36.40 $72.80
Diesel $6.37 $41.63 $83.27

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Mesa and Clifton. The current time is 05:11:01.

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.