Rocky Mountain Truck Centers
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Glendale, AZ to Lukachukai, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 24m
Distance
387.5 mi
624 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$71
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 14m
★
6 AM
7h 24m
8 AM
7h 45m
10 AM
7h 32m
12 PM
7h 30m
3 PM
7h 33m
5 PM
7h 44m
8 PM
7h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glendale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Lukachukai, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
Glendale, AZ to Lukachukai, AZ is 387.5 miles and takes about 7h 24m via West Myrtle Avenue, North 59th Avenue, and West Northern Avenue, with a fuel budget near $73 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona, traversing the familiar Desert Southwest region throughout. Expect a route that primarily uses surface roads, so plan for a steady pace without the high speeds of interstate travel. With only two planned stops and a drive under eight hours, it's a manageable one-day excursion.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
193.7 miles from Glendale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 25m 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 | 81.4 mi | 2h 2m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 32 mi | 34m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| West Northern Avenue | 4.2 mi | 8m |
| Navajo Route 13 | 2 mi | 3m |
| Arizona State Highway 264 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 161.5 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, AZ and Lukachukai, AZ.
1
Start on US 60
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Grand Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto West Myrtle Avenue
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
West Myrtle Avenue
3
Turn left onto North 59th Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North 59th Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto West Northern Avenue
4.2 mi
·
8 min
·
West Northern Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Turn slight left
439 ft
·
18 sec
6
Turn straight onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
North Black Canyon Highway
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
8
Merge onto I 17
32 mi
·
34 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
12
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
14
Merge onto I 40
161 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock
16
Turn left onto N12
24 mi
·
33 min
·
Navajo Route 12
17
Turn right onto AZ 264
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Arizona State Highway 264
18
Turn left onto N12
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Navajo Route 12
19
Turn slight right
189 ft
·
6 sec
Use the right lane.
20
Turn slight right onto N12
12 mi
·
19 min
·
Navajo Route 12
21
Continue on N12
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Cleveland Boulevard
22
Continue on N12
41 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Navajo Route 12
23
Turn right onto N13
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Navajo Route 13
24
Continue on N133
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Navajo Route 133
25
Turn left
81 ft
·
5 sec
26
Turn right
278 ft
·
12 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 24m estimated drive time, leaving Glendale, AZ in the morning is recommended to ensure you reach Lukachukai, AZ with plenty of daylight. With only two stops suggested, you can be flexible with your timing, but it's wise to factor in extra time for potential traffic delays, especially on the initial surface streets. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as fuel availability can be more spread out on non-highway routes; budgeting around $73 for fuel is a good starting point. Since this is a single-day trip, ensure you have snacks and drinks readily available for the drive.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 193.7 miles from Glendale, AZ, or about 3h 25m 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 85 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.7 miles or 3h 25m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lukachukai, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Glendale, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Glendale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 387.5 miles and 7h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Glendale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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
194 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 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 193.7 miles from Glendale, 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
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 138.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Myrtle Avenue
Turn sharp right onto West Myrtle Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North 59th Avenue
Turn left onto North 59th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West Northern Avenue
Turn right onto West Northern Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
5.9 mi into trip
|
~12m 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
138.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m 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
$70.74 one way
$141.48 round trip
$4.64/gal
25.4 MPG avg
136 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.99 | $76.14 | $152.28 |
| premium | $5.33 | $81.24 | $162.48 |
| diesel | $6.39 | $97.41 | $194.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 116.3 | 1 | $40.69 | $18.60 |
| Efficient EV | 96.9 | 1 | $33.91 | $15.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 155 | 1 | $54.25 | $24.80 |
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
45 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
Glendale, AZ
Evening in Glendale on Sunday
Local time
7:55 PM
MST
Current temp
68°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ENE 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Lukachukai, AZ
Evening in Lukachukai on Sunday
Local time
8:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 3 mph
5% 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
23 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
7h 24m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$10
near mile 93.5
Caution: Visiting During Monsoon Season (July-September)
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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
$25
near mile 147
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$25
near mile 253.9
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
~28 min detour
$25
near mile 147
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 374.1
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 93.5
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 almost entirely surface roads, with 0% highway driving. You'll be navigating through local streets like West Myrtle Avenue, North 59th Avenue, and West Northern Avenue for the majority of the 387.5 miles. The longest stretch without a stop is not specified, but with two stops planned, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive. Be prepared for frequent intersections and potentially slower traffic as you move through populated areas and transition to more rural settings.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 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
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near West Myrtle Avenue.
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 387.5 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.3 miles (West Myrtle Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.5 miles (North 59th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (West Northern Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
7,444 ft
1,128 ft
Total Climb
8,293 ft
Total Descent
2,876 ft
Highest Point
7,444 ft
~359.8 mi in
Elevation Range
6,316 ft
Notable High Points
6,919 ft at ~138.4 miles
+543 ft prominence
7,444 ft at ~359.8 miles
+604 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 Glendale, AZ and Lukachukai, AZ, road signs point toward Albuquerque and Bia 12 North: Window Rock.
Albuquerque
138.1 mi in
|
~2h 28m
Bia 12 North: Window Rock
300 mi in
|
~5h 11m
About the Cities
Starting in Glendale, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1887
Glendale is one of the largest suburbs in the metropolitan Phoenix area, and is rapidly growing as a media/entertainment center in the Valley of the Sun. It was home to over 250,000 people in 2019.
Top landmarks
- • Catlin Court Historic District — historic district in Glendale, Arizona, USA
- • Floralcroft Historic District — historic district in Glendale. Arizona
- • Glendale beet sugar factory
Arriving in Lukachukai, 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 7h 24m. Total distance: 387.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lukachukai, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (West Myrtle Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.5 miles (North 59th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (West Northern Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lukachukai, 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, 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 Lukachukai, AZ
More trips to Lukachukai, AZ
Explore more options from Glendale, AZ or browse trips ending in Lukachukai, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.