Origin
Chinle, AZ
Evening in Chinle on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chinle, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ
Drive Time
5h 23m
Distance
330.7 mi
532 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 10m
★
6 AM
5h 23m
8 AM
5h 50m
10 AM
5h 33m
12 PM
5h 30m
3 PM
5h 34m
5 PM
5h 49m
8 PM
5h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chinle, AZ
Lucas George Wendt
Scottsdale, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Traveling from Chinle to Scottsdale covers 330.7 miles across the Desert Southwest, typically requiring about 5 hours and 23 minutes of driving time. Because this route relies on local roads like Main Street, Route 7, and the Chambers-Mexican Water Highway rather than interstates, it works best as a dedicated day trip. You should budget approximately $64 for fuel to complete the journey in one go. While the drive is manageable for a single day, it is a turn-heavy route that requires your full attention. Expect a transition from the remote landscapes near Chinle to the urban environment of Scottsdale as you navigate these regional connections.
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
165.4 miles from Chinle, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. The drive is defined by its turn-heavy, local road personality, which keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will navigate stretches of Main Street, Route 7, and the Chambers-Mexican Water Highway, meaning you won't encounter long, monotonous stretches of high-speed transit. In fact, the longest uninterrupted stretch on Main Street is 0 miles, reflecting the constant adjustments required along the path. Be prepared for a technical drive that demands steady focus as you traverse the desert terrain.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
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.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 23m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Chinle, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Route 7 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Chambers-Mexican Water Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| the route | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Purple Heart Trail | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Navajo Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Holbrook-Springerville Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chinle, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on 4th Avenue
148 ft
·
12 sec
·
4th Avenue
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Main Street
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Navajo Route 7
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Navajo Route 7
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
30 mi
·
45 min
·
Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
279 ft
·
4 sec
·
the route
6
Exit the roundabout
5.9 mi
·
6 min
7
Turn right
38 mi
·
56 min
8
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
9
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
46 mi
·
45 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
11
Turn left onto Navajo Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Navajo Boulevard
12
Continue on Holbrook-Springerville Highway
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Holbrook-Springerville Highway
13
Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
14
Turn right onto Heber Road
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Heber Road
15
Turn straight onto Heber-Holbrook Highway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Heber-Holbrook Highway
16
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 3rd Street North
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West 3rd Street North
17
Continue on Highway 277
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 277
18
At the end of the road, turn right onto Highway 260
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Highway 260
19
Continue on Hwy 260
16 mi
·
22 min
·
Hwy 260
20
Continue on Payson-Heber Highway
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Payson-Heber Highway
21
Continue on Payson-Show Low Highway
24 mi
·
30 min
·
Payson-Show Low Highway
22
Turn left onto South Beeline Highway
73 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
South Beeline Highway
23
Turn right onto East McDowell Road
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
East McDowell Road
24
Take the ramp right toward AZ 101 Loop North
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
AZ 101 Loop North
25
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pima Freeway
26
Take the exit slight right toward Chaparral Road
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Chaparral Road
27
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
28
Turn left
62 ft
·
5 sec
29
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 330.7-mile drive with no highway segments, you should plan for a full day on the road to account for the slower, turn-heavy pace. I recommend departing early in the morning to maximize daylight, especially since navigating local roads can be more taxing than cruising on a major thoroughfare. Budget for at least one planned stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the constant steering will likely leave you ready for a break. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as the $64 estimated cost can fluctuate based on local availability along these smaller routes. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to download your map data beforehand, as the reliance on regional highways and local roads can lead to spotty cell service.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 165.4 miles from Chinle, AZ, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.4 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsdale, 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 330.7 miles and 5h 23m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 165.4 mi from Chinle, AZ · 2h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
165 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 165.4 miles from Chinle, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Scottsdale, AZ
The final approach into Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, 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
$65.81 one way
$131.63 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $69.50 | $139.00 |
| premium | $5.59 | $72.74 | $145.48 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $73.47 | $146.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.72 | $15.87 |
| Efficient EV | 82.7 | 0 | $28.94 | $13.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132.3 | 1 | $46.30 | $21.16 |
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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
Scottsdale, AZ
Afternoon in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
MST
Current temp
58°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
24 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
5h 23m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Scottsdale, AZ covers 330.7 miles and takes about 5h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Main Street, Route 7, Chambers-Mexican Water Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 165.4 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 $65.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 straightforward 5h 23m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Chinle, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Chinle, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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