Drive Time
6h 34m
Distance
309.5 mi
498 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
The drive from Phoenix, AZ to Chinle, AZ covers 309.5 miles and takes about 6h 34m 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 $60.33 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
154.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 34m drive with frequent turns across 309.5 miles of local and secondary 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.
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Chinle, AZ.
Start on West Washington Street
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 East: Tucson
Merge slight left onto Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
Continue on Papago Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
Turn left onto North Country Club Drive
Continue on North Beeline Highway
Continue on Beeline Highway
Turn right
Turn left onto Highway 277
Continue on West 3rd Street North
Turn left onto Heber-Holbrook Highway
Turn straight onto Heber Road
Turn left onto Show Low-Holbrook Highway
Continue on Holbrook-Springerville Highway
Continue on Navajo Boulevard
Take the exit right
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
Take the exit slight right toward US 191 North: Ganado
Turn left onto Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
Turn left
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
Exit the roundabout onto Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
Turn right onto Navajo Route 7
Turn left onto Main Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto 4th Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.8 miles or 3h 17m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chinle, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154.8 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 3h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 154.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$60.33 one way
$120.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $65.04 | $130.09 |
| premium | $5.57 | $67.82 | $135.64 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $77.57 | $155.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
6:40 AM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Chinle on Saturday
Local time
7:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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
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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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