Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Morning in Phoenix on Monday
Local time
10:29 AM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ
Drive Time
5h 54m
Distance
289.4 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 41m
★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 1m
3 PM
6h 4m
5 PM
6h 19m
8 PM
5h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Fort Defiance, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Phoenix, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ covers 289.4 miles and takes about 5h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North 7th Avenue, I 10 East, Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.60 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
144.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 54m drive with frequent turns across 289.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North 7th Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 54m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North 7th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 10 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Papago Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| AZ 51 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Red Mountain Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| AZ 87 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Country Club Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
North 7th Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Fort Defiance, AZ.
1
Start on West Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
2
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Avenue
3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 East: Tucson
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
I 10 East: Tucson
4
Merge slight left onto Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
5
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
6
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
7
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
8
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
9
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
10
Turn left onto North Country Club Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Country Club Drive
11
Continue on North Beeline Highway
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North Beeline Highway
12
Continue on Beeline Highway
68 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Beeline Highway
13
Turn right
53 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
14
Turn left onto Highway 277
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 277
15
Continue on West 3rd Street North
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West 3rd Street North
16
Turn left onto Heber-Holbrook Highway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Heber-Holbrook Highway
17
Turn straight onto Heber Road
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Heber Road
18
Turn left onto Show Low-Holbrook Highway
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
19
Continue on Holbrook-Springerville Highway
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Holbrook-Springerville Highway
20
Continue on Navajo Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Navajo Boulevard
21
Take the exit right
0.6 mi
·
1 min
22
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
70 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
23
Take the exit slight right toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
BIA 12 North: Window Rock
24
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
24 mi
·
33 min
·
Navajo Route 12
25
Turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Arizona State Highway 264
26
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Navajo Route 12
27
Continue on Kit Carson Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Kit Carson Drive
28
Turn right onto Old Red Lake Road
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
Old Red Lake Road
29
Arrive at your destination
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 144.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.7 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 50m
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 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 289.4 miles and 5h 54m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 144.7 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 2h 57m 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 144.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.60 one way
$115.19 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $60.82 | $121.64 |
| premium | $5.59 | $63.66 | $127.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $64.29 | $128.59 |
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: 101.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.8 | 1 | $30.39 | $13.89 |
| Efficient EV | 72.4 | 0 | $25.32 | $11.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.8 | 1 | $40.52 | $18.52 |
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
Fort Defiance, AZ
Morning in Fort Defiance on Monday
Local time
11:29 AM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
43°F
Payson, AZ
145 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
5h 54m 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 Phoenix, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ covers 289.4 miles and takes about 5h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North 7th Avenue, I 10 East, Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 144.7 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 $57.60 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 straightforward 5h 54m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Phoenix, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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