How far is Safford, AZ from Gilbert, AZ?

Fastest route

The distance between Safford, Arizona and Gilbert, Arizona is approximately 148 miles (238 kilometers). The fastest route, considering current traffic conditions, is to follow US-70 W and US-60 W. The estimated travel time is 2 hours and 46 minutes.

Directions

  1. Head north on S 1st Ave toward W 5th St.
  2. Turn left at the first cross street onto W 5th St.
  3. Continue onto US-70 W/W Thatcher Blvd.
  4. Continue to follow US-70 W.
  5. Continue onto US-60 W/N Broad St/Willow St.
  6. Continue to follow US-60 W.
  7. Take exit 182 for Gilbert Rd.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Plan your trip in advance to ensure a smooth journey.
  • ⛽ Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the entire distance.
  • 🚦 Check traffic conditions before you start your journey.
  • 📱 Use a navigation app or GPS device to stay on track.
  • 🍴 Consider packing some snacks or stopping for food along the way.
  • 🚫 Avoid distractions while driving to ensure safety.
  • 🚘 Follow the speed limits and traffic regulations throughout your journey.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
148.26 mi
02h 42m
Flight
125.7 mi
202.3 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Safford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
125.7 mi
Kilometers
202.3 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
148.26 mi
Kilometers
238.6 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 02h 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gilbert
Thu, Apr 23, 12:12 AM MST
Return by in Safford
Thu, Apr 23, 2:54 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Safford
2026-04-22T21:30
Arrive Gilbert
Thu, Apr 23, 12:12 AM MST
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM MST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:06 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Safford
9:30 PM MST
Morning start is best

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
Globe
AZ

City in and county seat of Gila County, Arizona, United States

From Safford
74 mi
01h 21m
To Gilbert
74.3 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MST
Wind
6 to 21 mph WNW
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 Safford and Gilbert.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Safford and Gilbert.

  1. 1

    Start on South 1st Avenue

    77 m · 8 sec · South 1st Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    2563 ft · 1 min · West Main Street

  3. 3

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

    133 m · 17 sec · South 8th Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Thatcher Boulevard

    2.3 mi · 5 min · West Thatcher Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway

    4.7 mi · 7 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on East Center Street

    66.5 mi · 1 hr 22 min · East Center Street

  8. 8

    Continue on East Ash Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto South Hill Street

    1816 ft · 42 sec · South Hill Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto East Oak Street

    112 m · 11 sec · East Oak Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Broad Street

    2583 ft · 54 sec · North Broad Street

  12. 12

    Continue on North Broad Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street

  13. 13

    Continue on US 60

    4 mi · 8 min · US 60

  14. 14

    Continue on West Live Oak Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · West Live Oak Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway

    42.9 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Superstition Freeway

    16.7 mi · 19 min · Superstition Freeway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Gilbert Road

    1996 ft · 51 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South Gilbert Road

    2.2 mi · 5 min · South Gilbert Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue

    134 m · 22 sec · East Vaughn Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto North Elm Street

    1134 ft · 41 sec · North Elm Street

  21. 21

    Turn right

    62 m · 15 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Safford and Gilbert.

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
22 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Center Street
66.5 mi · 45%
Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi · 29%
Superstition Freeway
16.7 mi · 11%
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
4.69 mi · 3%
US 60
3.95 mi · 3%
West Thatcher Boulevard
2.33 mi · 2%
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 comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.6 mi
125.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Globe
01h 21m from Safford
Leave By
1:06 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Safford and Sunny near Gilbert.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Safford to Gilbert?

The road trip is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km) and usually takes 02h 42m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Globe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74 miles from Safford and 74.3 miles from Gilbert.

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

The direct path is about 125.7 miles (202.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:06 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.89 one way or $51.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Safford and Sunny near Gilbert.

Stop Ideas Near Globe

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Globe, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Globe.

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

114 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

116 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Safford and Gilbert. Straight-line distance: 125.7 mi (202.3 km).

Safford

#1 Safford

City in and county seat of Graham County, Arizona, United States

Population9,951
Coordinates32.8339500, -109.7075800
Altitude889
CountryUnited States
Gilbert

#2 Gilbert

The fifth most populous city in Arizona.

Population257,658
Coordinates33.3528300, -111.7890300
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: South 1st Avenue (-109.707733, 32.833949)
End: (-111.788735, 33.35291)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 239 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.23 gal
19.8 L · about $25.89
Round trip
$51.79
10.46 gal · 39.6 L
Estimated CO2
46.5 kg one way
Round trip: 93 kg / 205 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $25.89 $51.79
Mid-grade $5.34 $27.92 $55.84
Premium $5.57 $29.11 $58.22
Diesel $6.37 $33.29 $66.59

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 Safford and Gilbert. The current time is 21:30:18.

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.