Drive Time
5h 40m
Distance
318.5 mi
513 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
The drive from Deer Valley, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ covers 318.5 miles and takes about 5h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Pinnacle Peak Road, North Black Canyon Highway, I 17 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $62.08 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 50m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 40m drive with frequent turns across 318.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Pinnacle Peak Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Black Canyon Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 17 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Black Canyon Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Prescott–Flagstaff Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Deer Valley, AZ and Fort Defiance, AZ.
Start on North 35th Avenue
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Pinnacle Peak Road
Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway
Take the ramp slight left toward I 17 North
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
Take the exit slight right toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
Turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
Continue on Kit Carson Drive
Turn right onto Old Red Lake Road
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.3 miles or 2h 50m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Defiance, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 159.3 mi from Deer Valley, AZ · 2h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 159.3 miles from Deer Valley, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$62.08 one way
$124.16 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $66.94 | $133.87 |
| premium | $5.57 | $69.79 | $139.59 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $79.83 | $159.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.4 kg one way.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Deer Valley on Saturday
Local time
8:20 AM
MST
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Fort Defiance on Saturday
Local time
9:20 AM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
30°F
Flagstaff, AZ
159 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Deer Valley, AZ or browse trips ending in Fort Defiance, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Deer Valley, AZ or Fort Defiance, AZ on MapSof.net.
