Rocky Mountain Truck Centers
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Deer Valley, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 40m
Distance
318.5 mi
513 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 27m
★
6 AM
5h 40m
8 AM
6h 7m
10 AM
5h 49m
12 PM
5h 47m
3 PM
5h 51m
5 PM
6h 5m
8 PM
5h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Deer Valley, AZ
Line Knipst
Fort Defiance, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 318.5 miles, your journey from Deer Valley to Fort Defiance typically takes about 5 hours and 40 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable within a single day, you can comfortably complete the trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $63 for fuel to cover the distance across the Desert Southwest. Navigating primarily via the Purple Heart Trail, Arizona Veterans Highway, and Navajo Route 12, you will experience a transition through the diverse landscapes of Arizona. While the route is straightforward, it is best viewed as a full day of travel rather than a quick sprint.
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
159.3 miles from Deer Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 161.5 mi | 2h 42m |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 90.6 mi | 1h 31m |
| Navajo Route 12 | 28.7 mi | 41m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 21.9 mi | 22m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| Arizona State Highway 264 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| West Pinnacle Peak Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Kit Carson Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 161.5 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Deer Valley, AZ and Fort Defiance, AZ.
1
Start on North 35th Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 35th Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto West Pinnacle Peak Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Pinnacle Peak Road
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 17 North
5
Merge onto I 17
22 mi
·
22 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
9
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
11
Merge onto I 40
161 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock
13
Turn left onto N12
24 mi
·
33 min
·
Navajo Route 12
14
Turn right onto AZ 264
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Arizona State Highway 264
15
Turn left onto N12
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Navajo Route 12
16
Continue on N110
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Kit Carson Drive
17
Turn right onto Old Red Lake Road
54 ft
·
2 sec
·
Old Red Lake Road
18
Arrive at destination
Old Red Lake Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy route, plan to leave early in the morning to ensure you have plenty of daylight for the more technical sections. You only have one planned stop on the itinerary, so use that break wisely to stretch your legs and refuel before hitting the final leg of the drive. Given the $63 fuel estimate, keep an eye on your tank levels, especially as you transition toward the more remote segments near Fort Defiance. Because the trip is condensed into a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected local traffic. Prioritize steady, consistent speeds to manage the turn-heavy nature of the later stages of your journey.
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 159.3 miles from Deer Valley, AZ, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 161.5 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 70 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.3 miles or 2h 44m 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 27m
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 Deer Valley, 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 Deer Valley, AZ
This is one driving day of about 318.5 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Deer Valley, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 161.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
159 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 159.3 miles from Deer Valley, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 161.5 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.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
TA
0.2 mi from route
Meteor Crater Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Painted Cliffs Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.2 mi from route
Standin' on The Corner Foundation
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Winslow, AZ
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteHurricane Harbor Phoenix
3.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Glendale, Arizona
Hours: Closed
+16232012000
Visit websiteWindow Rock Tribal Park & Veteran's Memorial
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Window Rock, Arizona
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19288716647
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 124.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Pinnacle Peak Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Pinnacle Peak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
North Black Canyon Highway
Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 17 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 17 North
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge onto I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
124.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.44 one way
$112.88 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $60.44 | $120.88 |
| premium | $5.04 | $63.22 | $126.45 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $60.14 | $120.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.6 | 1 | $33.44 | $15.29 |
| Efficient EV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.87 | $12.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.4 | 1 | $44.59 | $20.38 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Deer Valley, AZ
Evening in Deer Valley on Saturday
Local time
6:33 PM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph
44% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:33AM MST until July 17 at 12:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:12AM MST until July 17 at 1:15PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Destination
Fort Defiance, AZ
Evening in Fort Defiance on Saturday
Local time
7:33 PM
MDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 0 to 6 mph
63% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:33AM MST until July 17 at 12:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:12AM MST until July 17 at 1:15PM MST by NWS Flagstaff 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.
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
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
5h 40m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$10
near mile 76.9
View on nps.gov
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 131.8
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$25
near mile 241.6
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
$25
near mile 131.8
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
$10
near mile 76.9
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
~63 min detour
$25
near mile 131.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by its turn-heavy local segments, which make up the majority of your time behind the wheel. Only 16% of this 318.5-mile trek is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend most of your energy navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted section occurs on the Purple Heart Trail, covering 161.5 miles before the character of the drive shifts. As you transition away from the highway stretches, the road becomes increasingly technical. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires more focus than a standard interstate cruise, as the winding nature of the local routes keeps you actively engaged with the steering wheel.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 161.5 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near West Pinnacle Peak Road.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 318.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 miles (West Pinnacle Peak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,833 ft
1,374 ft
Total Climb
7,323 ft
Total Descent
1,864 ft
Highest Point
6,833 ft
~318.5 mi in
Elevation Range
5,459 ft
Notable High Points
6,735 ft at ~113.8 miles
+227 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 Deer Valley, AZ and Fort Defiance, AZ, road signs point toward Albuquerque and Bia 12 North: Window Rock.
Albuquerque
124.6 mi in
|
~2h 9m
Bia 12 North: Window Rock
286.6 mi in
|
~4h 52m
About the Cities
Starting in Deer Valley, AZ
Full guide →Arriving in Fort Defiance, 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 5h 40m. Total distance: 318.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (16%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 161.5 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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.
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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (West Pinnacle Peak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Petrified Forest National Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Defiance, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Fort Defiance, AZ
Explore more options from Deer Valley, AZ or browse trips ending in Fort Defiance, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.