Trip from Deer Valley, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ

Drive Time

5h 40m

Distance

318.5 mi

513 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 27m ★

6 AM

5h 40m

8 AM

6h 7m

10 AM

5h 49m

12 PM

5h 47m

3 PM

5h 51m

5 PM

6h 5m

8 PM

5h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Deer Valley, AZ

Line Knipst

Fort Defiance, AZ

Mark Direen

Trip Overview

Spanning 318.5 miles, your journey from Deer Valley to Fort Defiance typically takes about 5 hours and 40 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable within a single day, you can comfortably complete the trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $63 for fuel to cover the distance across the Desert Southwest. Navigating primarily via the Purple Heart Trail, Arizona Veterans Highway, and Navajo Route 12, you will experience a transition through the diverse landscapes of Arizona. While the route is straightforward, it is best viewed as a full day of travel rather than a quick sprint.

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

159.3 miles from Deer Valley, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip defined by its turn-heavy local segments, which make up the majority of your time behind the wheel. Only 16% of this 318.5-mile trek is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend most of your energy navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted section occurs on the Purple Heart Trail, covering 161.5 miles before the character of the drive shifts. As you transition away from the highway stretches, the road becomes increasingly technical. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires more focus than a standard interstate cruise, as the winding nature of the local routes keeps you actively engaged with the steering wheel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 161.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near West Pinnacle Peak Road.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 318.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (West Pinnacle Peak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

1 mi into trip | ~1m in | West Pinnacle Peak Road

At end of road, turn right onto West Pinnacle Peak Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in | North Black Canyon Highway

Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

2.6 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway

Merge onto I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

124.6 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 40 East, Albuquerque

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque

312.3 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in | N12 / Navajo Route 12

Turn left onto N12 / Navajo Route 12

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Deer Valley, AZ and Fort Defiance, AZ, road signs point toward Albuquerque and Bia 12 North: Window Rock.

Albuquerque

124.6 mi in | ~2h 9m

Bia 12 North: Window Rock

286.6 mi in | ~4h 52m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	161.5 mi	2h 42m
Arizona Veterans Highway	90.6 mi	1h 31m
Navajo Route 12	28.7 mi	41m
Black Canyon Freeway	21.9 mi	22m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway	8.9 mi	9m
Arizona State Highway 264	1.9 mi	2m
West Pinnacle Peak Road	1.3 mi	2m
Kit Carson Drive	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 161.5 mi, about 2h 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Deer Valley, AZ and Fort Defiance, AZ.

Start on North 35th Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · North 35th Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto West Pinnacle Peak Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Pinnacle Peak Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway

0.1 mi · 13 sec · North Black Canyon Highway

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 16 sec

Toward I 17 North

Merge onto I 17

22 mi · 22 min · Black Canyon Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 17

8.9 mi · 9 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 17

13 mi · 13 min · Arizona Veterans Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 17

77 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Arizona Veterans Highway

Continue on I 17; AZ 89A

0.6 mi · 43 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque

Merge onto I 40

161 mi · 2 hr 42 min · Purple Heart Trail

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec

Toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock

Turn left onto N12

24 mi · 33 min · Navajo Route 12

Turn right onto AZ 264

1.9 mi · 2 min · Arizona State Highway 264

Turn left onto N12

5.0 mi · 8 min · Navajo Route 12

Use the none lane.

Continue on N110

1.2 mi · 2 min · Kit Carson Drive

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Old Red Lake Road

54 ft · 2 sec · Old Red Lake Road

Arrive at destination

Old Red Lake Road

Trip Plan

Since this is a turn-heavy route, plan to leave early in the morning to ensure you have plenty of daylight for the more technical sections. You only have one planned stop on the itinerary, so use that break wisely to stretch your legs and refuel before hitting the final leg of the drive. Given the $63 fuel estimate, keep an eye on your tank levels, especially as you transition toward the more remote segments near Fort Defiance. Because the trip is condensed into a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected local traffic. Prioritize steady, consistent speeds to manage the turn-heavy nature of the later stages of your journey.

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 159.3 miles from Deer Valley, AZ, or about 2h 44m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 161.5 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 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 159.3 miles or 2h 44m 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 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Defiance, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Deer Valley, 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 Deer Valley, AZ

This is one driving day of about 318.5 miles and 5h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Deer Valley, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 161.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 159.3 mi from Deer Valley, AZ · 2h 44m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Flagstaff, AZ

159 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

Flagstaff, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flagstaff, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 159.3 miles from Deer Valley, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 161.5 miles.

Arriving in Fort Defiance, AZ

The final approach into Fort Defiance, 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 Fort Defiance, AZ.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$63.39 one way

$126.77 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$66.94	$133.87
premium	$5.59	$70.06	$140.11
diesel	$5.64	$70.76	$141.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$63

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 111.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	95.6	1	$33.44	$15.29
Efficient EV	79.6	0	$27.87	$12.74
EV Truck/SUV	127.4	1	$44.59	$20.38

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Deer Valley, AZ

Evening in Deer Valley on Sunday

Local time

5:00 PM

MST

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Defiance, AZ

Evening in Fort Defiance on Sunday

Local time

6:00 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

24 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

5h 40m 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 Deer Valley, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ covers 318.5 miles and takes about 5h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, Arizona Veterans Highway, Navajo Route 12. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 159.3 miles from Deer Valley, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $63.39 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.

Between Deer Valley, AZ and Fort Defiance, AZ, road signs point toward Albuquerque and Bia 12 North: Window Rock.

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