Trip from Springerville, AZ to Upper Wheatfields, AZ

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 50m

Distance

169.9 mi

273 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 38m ★

6 AM

3h 51m

8 AM

4h 16m

10 AM

4h 0m

12 PM

3h 57m

3 PM

4h 1m

5 PM

4h 15m

8 PM

3h 43m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Springerville, AZ to Upper Wheatfields, AZ covers 169.9 miles and takes about 3h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Navajo Route 12, St. Johns-Sanders Highway, US 180 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 64.2 miles on Navajo Route 12. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.85 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

84.9 miles from Springerville, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 169.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (55%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Springerville, AZ to Upper Wheatfields, AZ covers 169.9 miles and takes about 3h 50m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Navajo Route 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 64.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 28.6 miles in near US 191; AZ 61 / Cleveland Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Springerville, AZ to Upper Wheatfields, AZ is easy. At 3h 50m with 55% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 28.6 miles (US 191; AZ 61 / Cleveland Street): Navigation decision point; at 81.5 miles (US 191): Navigation decision point; at 99.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

28.6 mi into trip | ~41m in | US 191; AZ 61 / Cleveland Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 191; AZ 61 / Cleveland Street

Navigation decision point

81.5 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in | US 191

Take the ramp onto US 191 toward US 191 South: St Johns

Navigation decision point

Toward US 191 South: St Johns

99.3 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Take the exit toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock

99.5 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in | N12 / Navajo Route 12

Turn left onto N12 / Navajo Route 12

Navigation decision point

125 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in | N12 / Navajo Route 12

Turn left onto N12 / Navajo Route 12

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Springerville, AZ to Upper Wheatfields, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Bia 12 North: Window Rock along the way.

Bia 12 North: Window Rock

99.3 mi in | ~2h 1m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Navajo Route 12	64.2 mi	1h 36m
St. Johns-Sanders Highway	52.6 mi	1h
US 180	25.5 mi	37m
Purple Heart Trail	17.4 mi	17m
Main Street	3.1 mi	3m
Navajo Route 8080	2.1 mi	5m
Arizona State Highway 264	1.9 mi	2m
Cleveland Boulevard	1.6 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Navajo Route 12 — 64.2 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Springerville, AZ and Upper Wheatfields, AZ.

Start on this road

166 ft · 17 sec · this road

Turn left onto US 60; US 180; US 191

3.1 mi · 3 min · Main Street

Turn slight right onto US 180; US 191

26 mi · 37 min · US 180; US 191

At end of road, turn right onto US 191; AZ 61

0.3 mi · 50 sec · Cleveland Street

Continue on US 191; AZ 61

0.2 mi · 11 sec · St. Johns-Sanders Highway

Continue on US 191; AZ 61

52 mi · 1 hr · St. Johns-Sanders Highway

Take the ramp onto US 191

0.4 mi · 48 sec · US 191

Toward US 191 South: St Johns

Merge onto I 40

17 mi · 17 min · Purple Heart Trail

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec

Toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock

Turn left onto N12

24 mi · 33 min · Navajo Route 12

Turn right onto AZ 264

1.9 mi · 2 min · Arizona State Highway 264

Turn left onto N12

5.0 mi · 7 min · Navajo Route 12

Turn slight right

189 ft · 6 sec

Use the right lane.

Turn slight right onto N12

12 mi · 19 min · Navajo Route 12

Continue on N12

1.6 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Boulevard

Continue on N12

24 mi · 35 min · Navajo Route 12

Turn slight right onto N8080

2.1 mi · 5 min · Navajo Route 8080

Turn right

0.5 mi · 1 min

Arrive at 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 84.9 miles from Springerville, AZ, or about 1h 47m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 37 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.9 miles or 1h 47m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 2m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Springerville, 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 Springerville, AZ

This is one driving day of about 169.9 miles and 3h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Springerville, 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 Navajo Route 12 for about 64.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.9 mi from Springerville, AZ · 1h 47m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Houck, AZ

85 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

Saint Johns, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houck, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.9 miles from Springerville, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Navajo Route 12 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.2 miles.

Arriving in Upper Wheatfields, AZ

The final approach into Upper Wheatfields, 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 Upper Wheatfields, AZ.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

National Monument

This canyon is home to Diné families who raise livestock, grow crops and live here. People have lived in these canyons for nearly 5,000 years, which is longer than anyone has lived continuously on the...

14 mi from route ~35 min detour Free near mile 164

View on nps.gov

Petrified Forest National Park

National Park

A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood...

28 mi from route ~70 min detour $25 near mile 76.2

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.85 one way

$67.69 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.36	$35.82	$71.64
premium	$5.59	$37.40	$74.80
diesel	$5.61	$37.51	$75.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51	$17.84	$8.16
Efficient EV	42.5	$14.87	$6.80
EV Truck/SUV	68	$23.79	$10.87

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Springerville, AZ

Afternoon in Springerville on Thursday

Local time

12:27 PM

MST

Current temp

37°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Upper Wheatfields, AZ

Afternoon in Upper Wheatfields on Thursday

Local time

1:27 PM

MDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

28 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 50m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Springerville, AZ to Upper Wheatfields, AZ covers 169.9 miles and takes about 3h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Navajo Route 12, St. Johns-Sanders Highway, US 180. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 84.9 miles from Springerville, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.85 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The drive from Springerville, AZ to Upper Wheatfields, AZ is easy. At 3h 50m with 55% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

On the drive from Springerville, AZ to Upper Wheatfields, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Bia 12 North: Window Rock along the way.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Canyon de Chelly National Monument and Petrified Forest National Park.

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