Origin
Chandler, AZ
Afternoon in Chandler on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chandler, AZ to Chinle, AZ
Drive Time
6h 31m
Distance
303.2 mi
488 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 19m
★
6 AM
6h 32m
8 AM
6h 56m
10 AM
6h 40m
12 PM
6h 38m
3 PM
6h 41m
5 PM
6h 55m
8 PM
6h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chandler, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Chinle, AZ
Lucas George Wendt
Trip Overview
Traveling from Chandler to Chinle covers 303.2 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 31 minutes. Since the entire trip stays within the Desert Southwest, you will experience a consistent regional landscape as you transition from the Valley to the high desert. This route is best suited as a one-day journey, though the significant drive time means you should plan for a full day behind the wheel. Expect to budget roughly $60 for fuel to complete the trip. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it requires more active attention than a standard interstate cruise. It is a straightforward trek, but prepare yourself for a long haul through the Arizona landscape.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
151.6 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is defined by its technical nature rather than high-speed highway cruising, with only 21% of the trip consisting of major highway travel. You will navigate a mix of roads, including the Beeline Highway, AZ 260, and the Chambers-Mexican Water Highway. Expect a turn-heavy experience that demands your focus, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 68.4 miles on the Beeline Highway. As you progress, the road shifts from the urban outskirts of Chandler into more remote segments. Be ready to adjust your driving style as you transition between these different road types throughout the day.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Beeline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 68.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 31m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 16 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles (AZ 260): Lane positioning matters here; at 180.7 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue
Turn right onto AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
84 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
AZ 260
Turn right onto AZ 260
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
180.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
|
AZ 77
Take the exit onto AZ 77
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
4
227 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 191 North: Ganado
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 191 North: Ganado
5
303.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 31m in
|
4th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto 4th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Beeline Highway | 68.4 mi | 1h 20m |
| Chambers-Mexican Water Highway | 68.2 mi | 1h 41m |
| AZ 260 | 53 mi | 1h 11m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 45.7 mi | 45m |
| Heber Road | 30.9 mi | 36m |
| South Country Club Drive | 6.8 mi | 12m |
| US 191 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| West 3rd Street North | 4.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Beeline Highway
— 68.4 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Chinle, AZ.
1
Start on East Chandler Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Chandler Boulevard
Use the none lane.
2
Continue on East Chandler Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Chandler Boulevard
3
Turn right onto AZ 87
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North Arizona Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on AZ 87
6.8 mi
·
12 min
·
South Country Club Drive
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on AZ 87
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North Beeline Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Continue on AZ 87
68 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Beeline Highway
Use the left / none lanes.
7
Turn right onto AZ 260
53 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
AZ 260
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto AZ 277
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 277
9
Continue on AZ 277
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West 3rd Street North
10
Turn left onto AZ 377
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Heber-Holbrook Highway
11
Turn straight onto AZ 377
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Heber Road
12
Turn left onto AZ 77
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
13
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Holbrook-Springerville Highway
14
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Navajo Boulevard
15
Take the exit onto AZ 77
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
AZ 77
16
Merge onto I 40; AZ 77
46 mi
·
45 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Toward US 191 North: Ganado
18
Turn left onto US 191
38 mi
·
56 min
·
Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
19
Turn left onto US 191; SR 264
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 191; SR 264
20
Enter roundabout onto US 191; SR 264
55 ft
·
0 sec
·
Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
21
Continue on US 191; SR 264
30 mi
·
45 min
·
Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
22
Turn right onto N7
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Navajo Route 7
23
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
55 sec
·
Main Street
24
At end of road, turn right onto 4th Avenue
149 ft
·
6 sec
·
4th Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
4th Avenue
Trip Plan
To tackle this 6.5-hour drive successfully, aim for an early departure to maximize daylight hours. You are limited to one planned stop based on the route profile, so choose your break point wisely to manage fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially since you have a $60 budget to cover the entire 303.2-mile distance. Because this route involves winding local roads, stay alert for changing speed limits and tighter curves that differ significantly from interstate driving. Prioritizing consistent pacing will help you maintain comfort throughout the day, ensuring you arrive in Chinle without feeling overly rushed or exhausted.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151.6 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.4 miles.
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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.6 miles or 3h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chinle, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chandler, 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 Chandler, AZ
This is one driving day of about 303.2 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chandler, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Beeline Highway for about 68.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151.6 mi from Chandler, AZ · 3h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.6 miles from Chandler, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.4 miles.
Arriving in Chinle, AZ
The final approach into Chinle, 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 Chinle, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.34 one way
$120.68 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $63.72 | $127.44 |
| premium | $5.59 | $66.69 | $133.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $67.36 | $134.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91 | 1 | $31.84 | $14.55 |
| Efficient EV | 75.8 | 0 | $26.53 | $12.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.3 | 1 | $42.45 | $19.40 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Chinle, AZ
Afternoon in Chinle on Sunday
Local time
3:56 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
57 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 31m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chandler, AZ to Chinle, AZ covers 303.2 miles and takes about 6h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Beeline Highway, Chambers-Mexican Water Highway, AZ 260. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 151.6 miles from Chandler, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $60.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 31m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 16 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles (AZ 260): Lane positioning matters here; at 180.7 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Chandler, AZ to Chinle, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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