Fort Defiance to Tempe is 279 miles and takes about 5 hours 43 minutes via South Beeline Highway, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arizona, connecting the Desert Southwest region to itself. Expect a route that predominantly uses surface roads, offering a more grounded travel experience than a pure interstate cruise. It's a straightforward trip for a single day, ideal if you want to get to your destination without extensive planning.
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
139.5 miles from Fort Defiance, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Beeline Highway
72.8 mi
1h 26m
Purple Heart Trail
69.9 mi
1h 9m
Heber Road
30.9 mi
36m
Navajo Route 12
28.6 mi
41m
Payson-Show Low Highway
24.2 mi
30m
Hwy 260
15.9 mi
22m
Payson-Heber Highway
12.7 mi
17m
West 3rd Street North
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
South Beeline Highway
— 72.8 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Defiance, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on Old Red Lake Road
54 ft·7 sec·Old Red Lake Road
2
Turn left onto N110
1.2 mi·2 min·Kit Carson Drive
3
Continue on N12
5.0 mi·8 min·Navajo Route 12
4
Turn right onto AZ 264
1.9 mi·2 min·Arizona State Highway 264
5
Turn left onto N12
24 mi·33 min·Navajo Route 12
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
7
Merge onto I 40
70 mi·1 hr 9 min·Purple Heart Trail
8
Take the exit onto AZ 77
0.4 mi·50 sec·AZ 77
Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
9
Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 77; US 66 Hist
1.2 mi·2 min·Navajo Boulevard
10
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi·56 sec·Holbrook-Springerville Highway
11
Continue on AZ 77
1.6 mi·2 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
12
Turn right onto AZ 377
31 mi·36 min·Heber Road
13
Turn straight onto AZ 377
2.9 mi·3 min·Heber-Holbrook Highway
14
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277
4.9 mi·6 min·West 3rd Street North
15
Continue on AZ 277
1.9 mi·3 min·Highway 277
16
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260
0.2 mi·19 sec·Highway 260
17
Continue on AZ 260
16 mi·22 min·Hwy 260
18
Continue on AZ 260
13 mi·17 min·Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on AZ 260
24 mi·30 min·Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto AZ 87
73 mi·1 hr 26 min·South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto East McDowell Road
0.8 mi·1 min·East McDowell Road
22
Turn left onto North Alma School Road
0.7 mi·1 min·North Alma School Road
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto East McKellips Road
3.1 mi·4 min·East McKellips Road
24
Turn left onto North McClintock Drive
2.5 mi·4 min·North McClintock Drive
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
60 ft·1 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
26
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 43 minute estimated drive time, leaving Fort Defiance in the morning is recommended to allow ample daylight for the entire trip. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself, but be mindful of the 72.8 mile longest stretch on South Beeline Highway where services might be less frequent. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition to surface roads, and budget around $55 for gas. This route is easily manageable in one day, so you can depart at your convenience.
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 139.5 miles from Fort Defiance, AZ, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.8 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 61 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.5 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Defiance, 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 Fort Defiance, AZ
This is one driving day of about 279 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Fort Defiance, 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 South Beeline Highway for about 72.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 278.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
6.2 mi into trip|~10m in|AZ 264 / Arizona State Highway 264
Turn right onto AZ 264 / Arizona State Highway 264
Navigation decision point
5
101.8 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|AZ 77
Take the exit onto AZ 77 toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South...
6
272.7 mi into trip|~5h 32m in|North Alma School Road
Turn left onto North Alma School Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
276.4 mi into trip|~5h 38m in|North McClintock Drive
Turn left onto North McClintock Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
278.9 mi into trip|~5h 43m in|US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard
Turn right onto US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.44 one way
$98.88 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$52.94
$105.89
premium
$5.04
$55.38
$110.77
diesel
$4.80
$52.68
$105.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.7
1
$29.30
$13.39
Efficient EV
69.8
0
$24.41
$11.16
EV Truck/SUV
111.6
1
$39.06
$17.86
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Fort Defiance, AZ
Late night
in Fort Defiance on Sunday
Local time
2:15 AM
MDT
Current temp
54°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph61% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:27PM PDT until July 17 at 9:15PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:24PM PDT until July 17 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Late night
in Tempe on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
MST
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:27PM PDT until July 17 at 9:15PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 7:24PM PDT until July 17 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
25 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
5h 43m 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.
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...
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
$10
near mile 240.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 18% of the route on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 72.8 miles on South Beeline Highway before transitioning to other main roads like Purple Heart Trail and Heber Road. Expect more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you move away from high-speed highway cruising.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.8 mi on South Beeline Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in near AZ 264 / Arizona State Highway 264.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 43m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles (AZ 264 / Arizona State Highway 264): Navigation decision point; at 101.8 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.7 miles (North Alma School Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,399 ft1,181 ft
Total Climb
2,111 ft
Total Descent
7,763 ft
Highest Point
7,399 ft
~159.4 mi in
Elevation Range
6,219 ft
Notable High Points
7,399 ft at ~159.4 miles+1,042 ft prominence
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 Fort Defiance, AZ to Tempe, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Heber along the way.
Tempe is a city of 180,587 (2020) in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona, best known as the home of Arizona State University (ASU). Its younger, student-heavy population allows it to offer a vibrant nightlife that is relatively rare in Arizona.
Top landmarks
•Tempe Butte — mountain in United States of America
•Arizona State University Art Museum — art museum in Tempe, Arizona
•Gammage Memorial Auditorium — performing arts center in Tempe, Arizona
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.8 miles on South Beeline Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles (AZ 264 / Arizona State Highway 264): Navigation decision point; at 101.8 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.7 miles (North Alma School Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petrified Forest National Park and Tonto National Monument. 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 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tempe, AZ before the return drive.
