Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Chinle, AZ

Drive Time

6h 34m

Distance

309.5 mi

498 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$62

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

6h 23m ★

6 AM

6h 35m

8 AM

6h 59m

10 AM

6h 43m

12 PM

6h 41m

3 PM

6h 45m

5 PM

6h 58m

8 PM

6h 28m

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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Phoenix, AZ

Carter Marchant

Chinle, AZ

Lucas George Wendt

Trip Overview

Traveling from Phoenix to Chinle spans 309.5 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 34 minutes of driving time. Since this route is manageable within a single day, you can complete the trip without an overnight split, though expect a full day behind the wheel. You will navigate a transition through the Desert Southwest, utilizing a combination of the Beeline Highway, AZ 260, and the Chambers-Mexican Water Highway. Budget roughly $62 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. It is a straightforward trek for those looking to reach the heart of the Navajo Nation, though its turn-heavy nature requires your full attention.

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

154.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a drive that feels more like a technical local excursion than a monotonous interstate cruise, as only 25% of this journey takes place on major highways. You will encounter frequent turns as you navigate the transition between regional roads, keeping the pace varied and engaging. The longest uninterrupted stretch is the 68.4-mile section on the Beeline Highway, which serves as your primary opportunity for steady cruising. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, you should prepare for a driving experience that demands constant focus rather than one spent on autopilot.

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

There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Beeline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 68.4 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 0.5 miles in near North 7th Avenue.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 309.5 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 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 7th Avenue

Turn right onto North 7th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

3.6 mi into trip | ~5m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East

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 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East

3.7 mi into trip | ~6m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East

4 mi into trip | ~6m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East

16.5 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 13 Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Chinle, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Payson along the way.

Payson

16.5 mi in | ~21m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Beeline Highway	68.4 mi	1h 20m
Chambers-Mexican Water Highway	68.2 mi	1h 41m
AZ 260	53 mi	1h 11m
Purple Heart Trail	45.7 mi	45m
Heber Road	30.9 mi	36m
Red Mountain Freeway	12.9 mi	15m
US 191	5.9 mi	6m
West 3rd Street North	4.9 mi	6m

Longest stretch: Beeline Highway — 68.4 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Chinle, AZ.

Start on West Washington Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Washington Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto North 7th Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · North 7th Avenue

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Toward I 10 East: Tucson

Merge onto I 10

0.5 mi · 31 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

Continue on I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway

Exit 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway

Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

12 mi · 14 min · Red Mountain Freeway

Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Exit 13 Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto AZ 87

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Country Club Drive

Use the none lane.

Continue on AZ 87

4.5 mi · 5 min · North Beeline Highway

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Continue on AZ 87

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Beeline Highway

Use the left / none lanes.

Turn right onto AZ 260

53 mi · 1 hr 11 min · AZ 260

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto AZ 277

1.9 mi · 3 min · Highway 277

Continue on AZ 277

4.9 mi · 6 min · West 3rd Street North

Turn left onto AZ 377

2.9 mi · 3 min · Heber-Holbrook Highway

Turn straight onto AZ 377

31 mi · 36 min · Heber Road

Turn left onto AZ 77

1.6 mi · 2 min · Show Low-Holbrook Highway

Continue on US 180; AZ 77

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Holbrook-Springerville Highway

Continue on US 180; AZ 77

0.9 mi · 1 min · Navajo Boulevard

Take the exit onto AZ 77

0.6 mi · 1 min · AZ 77

Merge onto I 40; AZ 77

46 mi · 45 min · Purple Heart Trail

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec

Toward US 191 North: Ganado

Turn left onto US 191

38 mi · 56 min · Chambers-Mexican Water Highway

Turn left onto US 191; SR 264

5.9 mi · 6 min · US 191; SR 264

Enter roundabout onto US 191; SR 264

55 ft · 0 sec · Chambers-Mexican Water Highway

Continue on US 191; SR 264

30 mi · 45 min · Chambers-Mexican Water Highway

Turn right onto N7

1.6 mi · 2 min · Navajo Route 7

Turn left onto Main Street

0.2 mi · 55 sec · Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto 4th Avenue

149 ft · 6 sec · 4th Avenue

Arrive at destination

4th Avenue

Trip Plan

Planning for a single stop will help you break up the 6.5-hour duration and keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, try to depart early in the morning to avoid navigating unfamiliar curves after dark. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the stretches on the Chambers-Mexican Water Highway, as services may be spaced out. Since you are only planning one major stop, prioritize choosing a location that allows for a thorough rest. Staying flexible with your pace is the biggest advantage of this trip, so do not hesitate to pull over if the local road conditions require a slower, more cautious approach.

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 154.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 3h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.4 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 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 154.8 miles or 3h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 13m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ

This is one driving day of about 309.5 miles and 6h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Phoenix, 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 Beeline Highway for about 68.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 154.8 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 3h 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Payson, AZ

155 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

Payson, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Show Low, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.4 miles.

Arriving in Chinle, AZ

The final approach into Chinle, 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 Chinle, 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

$61.60 one way

$123.19 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$65.04	$130.09
premium	$5.59	$68.08	$136.16
diesel	$5.64	$68.76	$137.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$62

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$87–$112

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	92.9	1	$32.50	$14.86
Efficient EV	77.4	0	$27.08	$12.38
EV Truck/SUV	123.8	1	$43.33	$19.81

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 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

Phoenix, AZ

Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday

Local time

3:34 PM

MST

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chinle, AZ

Afternoon in Chinle on Sunday

Local time

4:34 PM

MDT

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

43°F

Payson, AZ

155 mi in

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

27 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 34m 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 Phoenix, AZ to Chinle, AZ covers 309.5 miles and takes about 6h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Beeline Highway, Chambers-Mexican Water Highway, AZ 260. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 154.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $61.60 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.

On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Chinle, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Payson along the way.

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Return Trip

Chinle, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

308.8 mi 6h 35m

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Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Chinle, 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 Chinle, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Phoenix, AZ

Chinle, AZ

1 hour later

27 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 34m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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