Trip from Glendale, AZ to Kayenta, AZ

Drive Time

5h 29m

Distance

290.2 mi

467 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

5h 16m ★

6 AM

5h 30m

8 AM

5h 57m

10 AM

5h 39m

12 PM

5h 36m

3 PM

5h 40m

5 PM

5h 55m

8 PM

5h 22m

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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Glendale, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Kayenta, AZ

Hans D.

Trip Overview

Traveling from Glendale to Kayenta covers 290.2 miles, typically taking about 5 hours and 29 minutes of drive time. You will navigate via the Arizona Veterans Highway, the Flagstaff-Cameron Highway, and the Navajo Trail to complete the journey. Given the duration, this route functions best as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination by evening. Budget roughly $58 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Desert Southwest locations. Because the trip is straightforward, you can easily manage it in one go without the need for an overnight split.

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

145.1 miles from Glendale, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 13% of the journey on major highways, you will spend most of your time navigating local roads that shift in character as you head north. Your longest uninterrupted segment spans 90.6 miles while on the Arizona Veterans Highway, providing a significant chunk of steady travel. The remaining distance requires more frequent adjustments, making this a route where the road feel changes noticeably as you progress toward Kayenta.

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

There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Arizona Veterans Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 90.6 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 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near North 59th Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 290.2 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.5 miles (North 59th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (West Northern Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | North 59th Avenue

Turn left onto North 59th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

1.3 mi into trip | ~2m in | West Northern Avenue

Turn right onto West Northern Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

5.9 mi into trip | ~12m 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.

143.9 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive

Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

144.4 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in | US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway

Turn right onto US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Glendale, AZ to Kayenta, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.

Albuquerque

138.1 mi in | ~2h 28m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway	90.6 mi	1h 31m
Navajo Trail	82.1 mi	1h 34m
Flagstaff-Cameron Highway	40.1 mi	47m
Black Canyon Freeway	32 mi	34m
Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway	15.3 mi	18m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway	8.9 mi	9m
US Highway 89	6.4 mi	8m
Purple Heart Trail	5.1 mi	5m

Longest stretch: Arizona Veterans Highway — 90.6 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, AZ and Kayenta, AZ.

Start on US 60

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Grand Avenue

Turn sharp right onto West Myrtle Avenue

0.2 mi · 47 sec · West Myrtle Avenue

Turn left onto North 59th Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · North 59th Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto West Northern Avenue

4.2 mi · 8 min · West Northern Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn slight left

439 ft · 18 sec

Turn straight onto North Black Canyon Highway

0.1 mi · 13 sec · North Black Canyon Highway

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff

Merge onto I 17

32 mi · 34 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

5.1 mi · 5 min · Purple Heart Trail

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward US 89 North: Page

Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Country Club Drive

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto US 89

2.3 mi · 3 min · Flagstaff-Cameron Highway

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 89

6.4 mi · 8 min · US Highway 89

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 89

38 mi · 44 min · Flagstaff-Cameron Highway

Enter roundabout onto US 89

156 ft · 2 sec · Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway

Continue on US 89

1.4 mi · 2 min · Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway

Continue on US 89

0.3 mi · 27 sec · US 89

Continue on US 89

14 mi · 16 min · Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway

Turn right onto US 160

82 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Navajo Trail

Turn left onto US 163

1.4 mi · 2 min · Kayenta-Utah State Line Highway

Turn left

0.1 mi · 32 sec

Turn left onto Comb Ridge Road

42 ft · 1 sec · Comb Ridge Road

Arrive at destination

Comb Ridge Road

Trip Plan

To keep your drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 5.5-hour duration. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight to navigate the final local stretches. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $58 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local pricing along the way. Since this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your GPS is updated before departure to help you navigate the transition between the Arizona Veterans Highway and the Navajo Trail smoothly.

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 145.1 miles from Glendale, AZ, or about 2h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 145.1 miles or 2h 37m 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 28m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Glendale, 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 Glendale, AZ

This is one driving day of about 290.2 miles and 5h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Glendale, 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 90.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 145.1 mi from Glendale, AZ · 2h 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Flagstaff, AZ

145 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 145.1 miles from Glendale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.6 miles.

Arriving in Kayenta, AZ

The final approach into Kayenta, 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 Kayenta, 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

$57.75 one way

$115.51 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$60.99	$121.98
premium	$5.59	$63.83	$127.67
diesel	$5.64	$64.47	$128.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	87.1	1	$30.47	$13.93
Efficient EV	72.6	0	$25.39	$11.61
EV Truck/SUV	116.1	1	$40.63	$18.57

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 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

Glendale, AZ

Afternoon in Glendale on Sunday

Local time

3:42 PM

MST

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kayenta, AZ

Afternoon in Kayenta on Sunday

Local time

4:42 PM

MDT

Current temp

42°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

17 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 29m 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 Glendale, AZ to Kayenta, AZ covers 290.2 miles and takes about 5h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Navajo Trail, Flagstaff-Cameron Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 145.1 miles from Glendale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.75 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.

On the drive from Glendale, AZ to Kayenta, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.

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Trip from Glendale, AZ to Kayenta, AZ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Kayenta, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Glendale, AZ

Kayenta, AZ

1 hour later

17 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 29m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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