Origin
Kayenta, AZ
Late night in Kayenta on Wednesday
Local time
4:11 AM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kayenta, AZ to Surprise, AZ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 31m
Distance
289.8 mi
466 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 18m
★
6 AM
5h 32m
8 AM
5h 58m
10 AM
5h 41m
12 PM
5h 38m
3 PM
5h 42m
5 PM
5h 57m
8 PM
5h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kayenta, AZ
Hans D.
Surprise, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Kayenta, AZ to Surprise, AZ covers 289.8 miles and takes about 5h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Arizona Veterans Highway, Navajo Trail, Flagstaff-Cameron Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.73 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
144.9 miles from Kayenta, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 31m drive with frequent turns across 289.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 36 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 93 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 146.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 289.8 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 146.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
146.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
151.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
7
268.3 mi into trip
|
~5h in
Take the exit toward AZ 303 Loop South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 221
Toward AZ 303 Loop South
6
268.8 mi into trip
|
~5h in
|
AZ 303 Loop
Turn right onto AZ 303 Loop
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
283.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 18m in
Take the exit toward El Mirage Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123
Toward El Mirage Road
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kayenta, AZ and Surprise, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Flagstaff
151.2 mi in
|
~3h
Phoenix
151.4 mi in
|
~3h 1m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 93 mi | 1h 33m |
| Navajo Trail | 82.1 mi | 1h 34m |
| Flagstaff-Cameron Highway | 40.2 mi | 48m |
| Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway | 15.3 mi | 18m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 13.9 mi | 14m |
| Bob Stump Memorial Parkway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| US Highway 89 | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 93 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kayenta, AZ and Surprise, AZ.
1
Start on Comb Ridge Road
42 ft
·
3 sec
·
Comb Ridge Road
2
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
3
Turn right onto US 163
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Kayenta-Utah State Line Highway
4
Turn right onto US 160
82 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
Navajo Trail
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 89
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
6
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 89
7
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
8
Enter roundabout onto US 89
154 ft
·
2 sec
·
Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
9
Continue on US 89
38 mi
·
44 min
·
Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
10
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
US Highway 89
11
Continue on US 89
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
12
Turn left onto Country Club Drive
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 40
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
17
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
18
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 17
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 221
Toward AZ 303 Loop South
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto AZ 303 Loop
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
AZ 303 Loop
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
25
Continue on this road
411 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
27
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
28
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
29
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
this road
30
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 123
Toward El Mirage Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 123
Toward El Mirage Road
33
Turn left onto North El Mirage Road
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
North El Mirage Road
Use the right lane.
34
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Paradise Lane
35
Turn left onto North Nash Street
88 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Nash Street
36
Arrive at destination
North Nash 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 144.9 miles from Kayenta, AZ, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.9 miles or 2h 52m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surprise, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kayenta, 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 Kayenta, AZ
This is one driving day of about 289.8 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kayenta, 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 93 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 144.9 mi from Kayenta, AZ · 2h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 144.9 miles from Kayenta, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93 miles.
Arriving in Surprise, AZ
The final approach into Surprise, 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 Surprise, 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
$57.73 one way
$115.46 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $61.10 | $122.20 |
| premium | $5.59 | $63.79 | $127.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.98 | $127.97 |
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: 101.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.9 | 1 | $30.43 | $13.91 |
| Efficient EV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.36 | $11.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.9 | 1 | $40.57 | $18.55 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Surprise, AZ
Late night in Surprise on Wednesday
Local time
3:11 AM
MST
Current temp
88°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
46 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 31m 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 Kayenta, AZ to Surprise, AZ covers 289.8 miles and takes about 5h 31m 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 144.9 miles from Kayenta, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.73 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 23 significant decision points across 289.8 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 146.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 268.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Kayenta, AZ and Surprise, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
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