Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Ganado, AZ

Drive Time

5h 39m

Distance

271.6 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Long day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Phoenix, AZ to Ganado, AZ covers 271.6 miles and takes about 5h 39m 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 $52.94 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

135.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day.

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 39m drive with frequent turns across 271.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

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

There are about 26 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.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North 7th Avenue	0 mi	0m
I 10 East	0 mi	0m
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel	0 mi	0m
Papago Freeway	0 mi	0m
AZ 51 North	0 mi	0m
Red Mountain Freeway	0 mi	0m
AZ 87	0 mi	0m
North Country Club Drive	0 mi	0m

Longest stretch: North 7th Avenue — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on West Washington Street

2

Turn right onto North 7th Avenue

3

Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 East: Tucson

4

Merge slight left onto Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

5

Continue on Papago Freeway

6

Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East

7

Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway

8

Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway

9

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

10

Turn left onto North Country Club Drive

11

Continue on North Beeline Highway

12

Continue on Beeline Highway

13

Turn right

14

Turn left onto Highway 277

15

Continue on West 3rd Street North

16

Turn left onto Heber-Holbrook Highway

17

Turn straight onto Heber Road

18

Turn left onto Show Low-Holbrook Highway

19

Continue on Holbrook-Springerville Highway

20

Continue on Navajo Boulevard

21

Take the exit right

22

Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

23

Take the exit slight right toward US 191 North: Ganado

24

Turn left onto Chambers-Mexican Water Highway

25

Continue on Post Office Road

26

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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 135.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles

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

Halfway reset

Around 135.8 miles

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

Final approach

Last hour of driving

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ganado, 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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Phoenix, AZ

This is one driving day of about 271.6 miles and 5h 39m.

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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Payson, AZ

136 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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

The final approach into Ganado, 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 Ganado, AZ.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 135.8 mi from Phoenix, AZ

Payson, AZ

Fuel and coffee

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

Payson, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 135.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$4.95	$52.94	$105.88
midgrade	$5.34	$57.08	$114.16
premium	$5.57	$59.52	$119.03
diesel	$6.37	$68.07	$136.14

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Phoenix, AZ to Ganado, AZ covers 271.6 miles and takes about 5h 39m 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 135.8 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 $52.94 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.