Origin
Maryvale, AZ
Late night in Maryvale on Wednesday
Local time
3:30 AM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maryvale, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
6h 1m
Distance
334.7 mi
539 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$67
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 49m
★
6 AM
6h 1m
8 AM
6h 27m
10 AM
6h 11m
12 PM
6h 8m
3 PM
6h 12m
5 PM
6h 26m
8 PM
5h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maryvale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Defiance, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Maryvale, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ covers 334.7 miles and takes about 6h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Purple Heart Trail, Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 161.5 miles on Purple Heart Trail. At current regular gas prices, budget about $66.68 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
167.3 miles from Maryvale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 1m drive with frequent turns across 334.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 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 0.5 miles in near West Indian School Road.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 334.7 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 0.5 miles (West Indian School Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Indian School Road
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
North Black Canyon Highway
Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
4.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Navigation decision point
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
5
4.6 mi into trip
|
~9m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
5
140.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Maryvale, AZ and Fort Defiance, AZ, road signs point toward Albuquerque and Bia 12 North: Window Rock.
Albuquerque
140.8 mi in
|
~2h 30m
Bia 12 North: Window Rock
302.7 mi in
|
~5h 14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 161.5 mi | 2h 42m |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 90.6 mi | 1h 31m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 36 mi | 39m |
| Navajo Route 12 | 28.7 mi | 41m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| West Indian School Road | 3.8 mi | 7m |
| Arizona State Highway 264 | 1.9 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 Maryvale, AZ and Fort Defiance, AZ.
1
Start on North 55th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North 55th Avenue
2
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
3.8 mi
·
7 min
·
West Indian School Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway
406 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
5
Merge onto I 17
36 mi
·
39 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
9
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
11
Merge onto I 40
161 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock
13
Turn left onto N12
24 mi
·
33 min
·
Navajo Route 12
14
Turn right onto AZ 264
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Arizona State Highway 264
15
Turn left onto N12
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Navajo Route 12
16
Continue on N110
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Kit Carson Drive
17
Turn right onto Old Red Lake Road
54 ft
·
2 sec
·
Old Red Lake Road
18
Arrive at destination
Old Red Lake Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.3 miles from Maryvale, AZ, or about 2h 57m 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.3 miles or 2h 57m 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 45m
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 Maryvale, 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 Maryvale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 334.7 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Maryvale, 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 167.3 mi from Maryvale, AZ · 2h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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 167.3 miles from Maryvale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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
$66.68 one way
$133.35 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $70.56 | $141.13 |
| premium | $5.59 | $73.67 | $147.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.90 | $147.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.4 | 1 | $35.14 | $16.07 |
| Efficient EV | 83.7 | 0 | $29.29 | $13.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.9 | 1 | $46.86 | $21.42 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Fort Defiance, AZ
Late night in Fort Defiance on Wednesday
Local time
4:30 AM
MDT
Current temp
66°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
25 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
6h 1m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Maryvale, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ covers 334.7 miles and takes about 6h 1m 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, Black Canyon Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 167.3 miles from Maryvale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $66.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 334.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (West Indian School Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Between Maryvale, AZ and Fort Defiance, AZ, road signs point toward Albuquerque and Bia 12 North: Window Rock.
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