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Trip from Fort Defiance, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ

Drive Time

5h 45m

Distance

280.7 mi

452 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 33m ★
6 AM
5h 46m
8 AM
6h 12m
10 AM
5h 55m
12 PM
5h 53m
3 PM
5h 56m
5 PM
6h 11m
8 PM
5h 38m

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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Downtown Fort Defiance, AZ, AZ

Fort Defiance, AZ

Mark Direen

Downtown Tempe Junction, AZ, AZ

Tempe Junction, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

The drive from Fort Defiance, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on South Beeline Highway, Purple Heart Trail, Heber Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.1 miles on South Beeline Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.86 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

140.3 miles from Fort Defiance, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 45m drive with frequent turns across 280.7 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 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 101.8 miles in near AZ 77.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 280.7 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 101.8 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 273 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

5
101.8 mi into trip | ~1h 57m in | AZ 77

Take the exit onto AZ 77 toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber

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

Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South...
5
272.7 mi into trip | ~5h 32m in

Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward AZ 202 Loop West
5
273 mi into trip | ~5h 33m in | AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
277.8 mi into trip | ~5h 39m in

Take the exit toward Scottsdale Road, Rural Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 7 Toward Scottsdale Road, Rural Road
7
278.1 mi into trip | ~5h 39m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Arizona State University-Tempe

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward Arizona State University-Tempe

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Fort Defiance, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Heber along the way.

Heber

101.8 mi in | ~1h 57m | via AZ 77

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South Beeline Highway 73.1 mi 1h 26m
Purple Heart Trail 69.9 mi 1h 9m
Heber Road 30.9 mi 36m
Navajo Route 12 28.6 mi 41m
Payson-Show Low Highway 24.2 mi 30m
Hwy 260 15.9 mi 22m
Payson-Heber Highway 12.7 mi 17m
West 3rd Street North 4.9 mi 6m
Longest stretch: South Beeline Highway — 73.1 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Defiance, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.

1

Start on Old Red Lake Road

54 ft · 7 sec · Old Red Lake Road
2

Turn left onto N110

1.2 mi · 2 min · Kit Carson Drive
3

Continue on N12

5.0 mi · 8 min · Navajo Route 12
4

Turn right onto AZ 264

1.9 mi · 2 min · Arizona State Highway 264
5

Turn left onto N12

24 mi · 33 min · Navajo Route 12
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
7

Merge onto I 40

70 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Purple Heart Trail
8

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
9

Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 77; US 66 Hist

1.2 mi · 2 min · Navajo Boulevard
10

Continue on US 180; AZ 77

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Holbrook-Springerville Highway
11

Continue on AZ 77

1.6 mi · 2 min · Show Low-Holbrook Highway
12

Turn right onto AZ 377

31 mi · 36 min · Heber Road
13

Turn straight onto AZ 377

2.9 mi · 3 min · Heber-Holbrook Highway
14

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277

4.9 mi · 6 min · West 3rd Street North
15

Continue on AZ 277

1.9 mi · 3 min · Highway 277
16

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Highway 260
17

Continue on AZ 260

16 mi · 22 min · Hwy 260
18

Continue on AZ 260

13 mi · 17 min · Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on AZ 260

24 mi · 30 min · Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
20

Turn left onto AZ 87

73 mi · 1 hr 26 min · South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
21

Continue on AZ 87

0.5 mi · 47 sec · North Country Club Drive
22

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
23

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop

4.8 mi · 5 min · Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 7 Toward Scottsdale Road, Rural Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork

400 ft · 11 sec
Toward Arizona State University-Tempe Use the left lane.
26

Turn slight left onto North Scottsdale Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Scottsdale Road
27

Continue on South Rural Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Rural Road
Use the left lane.
28

Turn right onto US 80 Hist

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Apache Boulevard
29

Turn left onto East 13th Street

0.3 mi · 58 sec · East 13th Street
Use the left lane.
30

Arrive at destination

West 13th Street

Trip Plan

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 140.3 miles from Fort Defiance, AZ, or about 2h 45m 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 140.3 miles or 2h 45m 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 41m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Fort Defiance, 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 Fort Defiance, AZ

This is one driving day of about 280.7 miles and 5h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Defiance, 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 140.3 mi from Fort Defiance, AZ · 2h 45m into the drive

Downtown Scottsdale, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Scottsdale, AZ

140 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.

Popular next leg

Scottsdale, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ

10.2 mi · 16m

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 140.3 miles from Fort Defiance, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.1 miles.

Arriving in Tempe Junction, AZ

The final approach into Tempe Junction, 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 Tempe Junction, AZ.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park

National Park

A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood...

5 mi from route ~14 min detour $25 near mile 77.4
View on nps.gov
Tonto National Monument

Tonto National Monument

National Monument

Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...

23 mi from route ~59 min detour $10 near mile 241.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$55.86 one way

$111.73 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $58.99 $117.98
premium $5.59 $61.74 $123.49
diesel $5.64 $62.36 $124.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$56

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 84.2 1 $29.47 $13.47
Efficient EV 70.2 0 $24.56 $11.23
EV Truck/SUV 112.3 1 $39.30 $17.96

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Fort Defiance, AZ

Morning in Fort Defiance on Monday

Local time

9:27 AM

MDT

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tempe Junction, AZ

Morning in Tempe Junction on Monday

Local time

8:27 AM

MST

Current temp

60°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

26 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 45m 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 Fort Defiance, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 45m 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, Heber Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 140.3 miles from Fort Defiance, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.86 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 demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 280.7 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 101.8 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 273 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fort Defiance, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Heber along the way.

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Tempe Junction, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

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