Origin
Peoria, AZ
Evening in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
6:02 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
5h 27m
Distance
290.2 mi
467 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Peoria, AZ
Boris Hamer
Kayenta, AZ
Hans D.
Traveling from Peoria to Kayenta covers 290.2 miles, typically taking about 5 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. Because this journey stays within the Desert Southwest, you will experience a consistent landscape as you transition from the Phoenix area toward the high desert. While the drive is manageable in a single day, it is a significant trek that requires some stamina behind the wheel. Expect to budget roughly $58 for fuel to complete the trip. With only one recommended stop, you should plan your itinerary carefully to ensure you stay energized for the full duration.
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 Peoria, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
This journey features a turn-heavy local drive profile that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. Only 14% of the trip is on major highways, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating secondary roads like the Navajo Trail and the Flagstaff-Cameron Highway. You can expect a notable 90.6-mile stretch along the Arizona Veterans Highway, which serves as your longest uninterrupted segment. As you progress, the road shifts from fast-paced highway driving to more technical sections, keeping the experience dynamic and engaging for the driver.
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 1.4 miles in near North 91st Avenue.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 290.2 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 1.4 miles (North 91st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto North 91st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Peoria, AZ to Kayenta, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Albuquerque
| 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 | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway | 15.3 mi | 18m |
| Agua Fria Freeway | 10.5 mi | 12m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| US Highway 89 | 6.4 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, AZ and Kayenta, AZ.
Start on North 83rd Avenue
Turn left onto US 60
Turn right onto North 91st Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 17
Continue on I 17
Continue on I 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
Take the exit
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus
Turn right onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Continue on US 89
Enter roundabout onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Continue on US 89
Continue on US 89
Turn right onto US 160
Turn left onto US 163
Turn left
Turn left onto Comb Ridge Road
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 5-hour and 27-minute trip, aim for an early morning departure to avoid peak traffic and ensure you reach Kayenta with plenty of daylight. Since the route relies heavily on local roads, keep a steady pace and be prepared for changing road conditions as you transition between the Arizona Veterans Highway and the Navajo Trail. With only one stop built into the schedule, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, especially given the $58 fuel cost. Because this is a turn-heavy route, prioritize checking your tire pressure and fluid levels before you leave Peoria to ensure a smooth ride through the diverse terrain.
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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.1 miles or 2h 35m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kayenta, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Peoria, 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 Peoria, AZ
This is one driving day of about 290.2 miles and 5h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.1 mi from Peoria, AZ · 2h 35m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 145.1 miles from Peoria, 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 90.6 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$57.75 one way
$115.51 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
6:02 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Kayenta on Sunday
Local time
7:02 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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