Origin
Chinle, AZ
Afternoon in Chinle on Sunday
Local time
4:34 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chinle, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
6h 35m
Distance
308.8 mi
497 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 23m
★
6 AM
6h 35m
8 AM
6h 59m
10 AM
6h 44m
12 PM
6h 41m
3 PM
6h 45m
5 PM
6h 58m
8 PM
6h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chinle, AZ
Lucas George Wendt
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Stretching 325.4 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest, this journey from Chinle to Phoenix typically takes about 5 hours and 22 minutes of drive time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan on a full day behind the wheel, though it remains feasible as a single-day trip. Budget approximately $63 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Arizona locations. Navigating through the region requires focus, as you will rely on local routes like Main Street, Route 7, and the Chambers-Mexican Water Highway rather than major interstates. It is a straightforward trip for those comfortable with rural navigation, providing a direct connection across the state's desert 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
154.4 miles from Chinle, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on driving experience as this route consists entirely of local roads and highways, with zero percent highway share on major interstates. You will navigate a series of technical turns and transitions, meaning there are no long, monotonous stretches of high-speed cruising; in fact, the longest stretch on Main Street is 0 miles. The road’s personality is defined by its turn-heavy nature, requiring your full attention as you move through the desert terrain. Because the route lacks traditional highway infrastructure, the pace remains steady and deliberate throughout the entire 325.4-mile journey. Prepare for a driving experience that rewards steady focus rather than cruise-control ease.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Beeline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 73.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near US 191 / Chambers-Mexican Water Highway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 308.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (US 191 / Chambers-Mexican Water Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles (US 191): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 305.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 191 / Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 191 / Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
32.2 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
US 191
Enter roundabout onto US 191
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
305.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West
7
306.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 30m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 145A
Toward 7th Street
9
307.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Sports Facilitles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Spor...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Chinle, AZ to Phoenix, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Heber along the way.
Heber
121.9 mi in
|
~2h 38m
|
via AZ 77
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Beeline Highway | 73.1 mi | 1h 26m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 45.7 mi | 45m |
| US 191 | 43.7 mi | 1h 2m |
| Heber Road | 30.9 mi | 36m |
| Chambers-Mexican Water Highway | 30.3 mi | 45m |
| Payson-Show Low Highway | 24.2 mi | 30m |
| Hwy 260 | 15.9 mi | 22m |
| Payson-Heber Highway | 12.7 mi | 17m |
Longest stretch:
South Beeline Highway
— 73.1 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chinle, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on 4th Avenue
149 ft
·
11 sec
·
4th Avenue
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Main Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto N7
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Navajo Route 7
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 191
30 mi
·
45 min
·
Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto US 191
278 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 191
6
Continue on US 191
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 191
7
Turn right onto US 191
38 mi
·
56 min
·
US 191
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
9
Merge onto I 40
46 mi
·
45 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
10
Take the exit onto AZ 77
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
AZ 77
Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
11
Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 77; US 66 Hist
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Navajo Boulevard
12
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Holbrook-Springerville Highway
13
Continue on AZ 77
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
14
Turn right onto AZ 377
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Heber Road
15
Turn straight onto AZ 377
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Heber-Holbrook Highway
16
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West 3rd Street North
17
Continue on AZ 277
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 277
18
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Highway 260
19
Continue on AZ 260
16 mi
·
22 min
·
Hwy 260
20
Continue on AZ 260
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on AZ 260
24 mi
·
30 min
·
Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto AZ 87
73 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on AZ 87
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Country Club Drive
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
25
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West
Use the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 10
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
Papago Freeway
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 145A
Toward 7th Street
Use the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Sports Facilitles
Use the left lane.
30
Turn straight onto North 7th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North 7th Street
31
Turn right onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
32
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 22 minute duration, aim to depart early in the morning to ensure you reach Phoenix before nightfall. You have one planned stop available, so choose your break point strategically to break up the technical driving segments. Since the route relies on local roads like the Chambers-Mexican Water Highway, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge and fill up before leaving Chinle, as service intervals can vary significantly on these secondary routes. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here; since the trip is manageable in one day, you can adjust your pace based on the road conditions you encounter. Always prioritize steady progress, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive demands more concentration than a standard interstate commute.
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 154.4 miles from Chinle, AZ, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.4 miles or 3h 18m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chinle, 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 Chinle, AZ
This is one driving day of about 308.8 miles and 6h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chinle, 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 South Beeline Highway for about 73.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154.4 mi from Chinle, AZ · 3h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 154.4 miles from Chinle, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.1 miles.
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
The final approach into Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, 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
$61.46 one way
$122.91 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $64.90 | $129.79 |
| premium | $5.59 | $67.92 | $135.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $68.60 | $137.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108 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 | 92.6 | 1 | $32.42 | $14.82 |
| Efficient EV | 77.2 | 0 | $27.02 | $12.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.5 | 1 | $43.23 | $19.76 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
3:34 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
43°F
Payson, AZ
154 mi in
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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
27 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 35m 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 Chinle, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 308.8 miles and takes about 6h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Beeline Highway, Purple Heart Trail, US 191. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 154.4 miles from Chinle, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $61.46 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 308.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (US 191 / Chambers-Mexican Water Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles (US 191): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 305.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Chinle, AZ to Phoenix, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Heber along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Phoenix, AZ
More from Chinle, AZ
More trips to Phoenix, AZ
Explore more options from Chinle, AZ or browse trips ending in Phoenix, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Chinle, AZ or Phoenix, AZ on MapSof.net.