Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Chinle, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 15m
Distance
335.1 mi
539 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 3m
★
6 AM
6h 16m
8 AM
6h 41m
10 AM
6h 25m
12 PM
6h 22m
3 PM
6h 26m
5 PM
6h 40m
8 PM
6h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chinle, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Deer Valley, AZ
Line Knipst
Trip Overview
Chinle, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ is 335.1 miles and takes about 6h 15m via Arizona Veterans Highway, Purple Heart Trail, and Arizona State Highway 264, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily travels through the Desert Southwest region of Arizona on mostly surface roads. Expect a straightforward trip with a significant portion on well-maintained routes, making it a manageable one-day adventure. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct path between these two points without extensive highway time.
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
167.6 miles from Chinle, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 93 mi | 1h 33m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 61.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| Arizona State Highway 264 | 56.7 mi | 1h 5m |
| Winslow–Kayenta Highway | 55.5 mi | 1h 4m |
| Chambers-Mexican Water Highway | 30.3 mi | 45m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 20 mi | 21m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
| AZ 87 | 4.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 93 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chinle, AZ and Deer Valley, AZ.
1
Start on 4th Avenue
149 ft
·
11 sec
·
4th Avenue
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Main Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto N7
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Navajo Route 7
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 191
30 mi
·
45 min
·
Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto AZ 246
30 ft
·
0 sec
·
AZ 246
6
Continue on AZ 246
0.1 mi
·
6 sec
·
AZ 246
7
Merge onto AZ 264
57 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
Arizona State Highway 264
8
Turn left onto AZ 87
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Winslow–Kayenta Highway
9
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
AZ 87
10
Continue on AZ 87
39 mi
·
44 min
·
Winslow–Kayenta Highway
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
12
Merge onto I 40; US 180
61 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
15
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
16
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 17
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 215B
Toward Deer Valley Road, Rose Garden Lane
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
North Black Canyon Highway
22
Turn right onto West Deer Valley Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Deer Valley Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto North 35th Avenue
37 ft
·
0 sec
·
North 35th Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
North 35th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, departing in the morning is recommended to ensure you have ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a point that best suits your needs for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to surface roads, as fuel availability can be more spread out. The longest stretch without a major road change is 93 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you have flexibility in your timing.
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 167.6 miles from Chinle, AZ, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 74 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.6 miles or 3h 23m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Deer Valley, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chinle, 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 Chinle, AZ
This is one driving day of about 335.1 miles and 6h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Chinle, 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 93 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 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 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 167.6 miles from Chinle, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Meteor Crater Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Sunset Point Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
McGuireville Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
McGuireville Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Meteor Crater Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rocky Mountain Truck Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.8 mi from route
Canyon de Chelly National Monument Welcome Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Chinle, Arizona
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19286745500
Visit websiteHurricane Harbor Phoenix
3.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Glendale, Arizona
Hours: Closed
+16232012000
Visit websiteFort Tuthill County Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Flagstaff, Arizona
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19286798000
Visit websiteFlagstaff Snow Park
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Flagstaff, Arizona
+19282245938
Visit websiteOut of Africa Wildlife Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Camp Verde, Arizona
Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm
+19285672840
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 333.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 191 / Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 191 / Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
32.2 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
AZ 246
Enter roundabout onto AZ 246
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
210.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flags...
6
210.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
8
333.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 12m in
Take the exit toward Deer Valley Road, Rose Garden Lane
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 215B
Toward Deer Valley Road, Rose Garden Lane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.38 one way
$118.76 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $63.59 | $127.18 |
| premium | $5.04 | $66.52 | $133.04 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $63.27 | $126.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.5 | 1 | $35.19 | $16.08 |
| Efficient EV | 83.8 | 0 | $29.32 | $13.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134 | 1 | $46.91 | $21.45 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Origin
Chinle, AZ
Afternoon in Chinle on Saturday
Local time
2:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
88°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 6 mph
41% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Deer Valley, AZ
Afternoon in Deer Valley on Saturday
Local time
1:32 PM
MST
Current temp
76°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 mph
92% chance
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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
12 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 15m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10
near mile 254.2
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
Walnut Canyon National Monument
National Monument
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$25
near mile 196.5
View on nps.gov
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
National Monument
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
$25
near mile 196.5
View on nps.gov
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$10
near mile 254.2
View on nps.gov
Wupatki National Monument
National Monument
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$25
near mile 196.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely comprised of surface roads, with only about 25% on highways. You'll experience about 93 miles of continuous driving on Arizona Veterans Highway, offering a good stretch of rural cruising. As you transition off the main highways, expect a more local road feel. The road profile indicates a predominantly surface road experience, so plan for varying speed limits and potentially more intersections as you get closer to your destination.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near US 191 / Chambers-Mexican Water Highway.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 335.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (US 191 / Chambers-Mexican Water Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles (AZ 246): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 210.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,815 ft
1,374 ft
Total Climb
3,393 ft
Total Descent
7,528 ft
Highest Point
6,815 ft
~215.4 mi in
Elevation Range
5,442 ft
Notable High Points
6,370 ft at ~23.9 miles
+38 ft prominence
5,570 ft at ~119.7 miles
+184 ft prominence
6,815 ft at ~215.4 miles
+488 ft prominence
3,790 ft at ~287.3 miles
+577 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chinle, AZ and Deer Valley, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Flagstaff
210.4 mi in
|
~4h 6m
Phoenix
210.5 mi in
|
~4h 6m
About the Cities
Starting in Chinle, AZ
Full guide →Canyon de Chelly National Monument (duh-SHAY) is a national monument within the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona. The park preserves ruins of the indigenous tribes that lived in the area, from the Ancestral Puebloans (formerly known as Anasazi) to the Navajo, and reflects one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes of North America.
Arriving in Deer Valley, AZ
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 15m. Total distance: 335.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Deer Valley, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (US 191 / Chambers-Mexican Water Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles (AZ 246): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 210.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Canyon de Chelly National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Deer Valley, AZ before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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