Kayenta, AZ to Peoria, AZ is 289.3 miles and takes about 5h 27m via Arizona Veterans Highway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you through the Desert Southwest region of Arizona, offering a single-day drive. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and local road conditions rather than long stretches of interstate. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a straightforward drive between these two points within the same state.
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
144.7 miles from Kayenta, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Kayenta, AZ and Peoria, AZ.
1
Start on Comb Ridge Road
42 ft·3 sec·Comb Ridge Road
2
Turn right
0.1 mi·30 sec
3
Turn right onto US 163
1.4 mi·2 min·Kayenta-Utah State Line Highway
4
Turn right onto US 160
82 mi·1 hr 34 min·Navajo Trail
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 89
14 mi·16 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
6
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·26 sec·US 89
7
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
8
Enter roundabout onto US 89
154 ft·2 sec·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
9
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
10
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
11
Continue on US 89
2.3 mi·4 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
12
Turn left onto Country Club Drive
0.3 mi·51 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 40
4.7 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
17
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
18
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 17
10 mi·11 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 214CToward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop EastUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop WestUse the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
10 mi·12 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road, SurpriseUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on North 91st Avenue
0.2 mi·21 sec·North 91st Avenue
27
Turn left onto US 60
1.3 mi·2 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto North 83rd Avenue
229 ft·37 sec·North 83rd Avenue
29
Continue on North 83rd Avenue
77 ft·2 sec·North 83rd Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
North 83rd Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 27m estimated drive time, starting in the morning is advisable to allow ample daylight for navigation, especially with the turn-heavy nature of this route. While the drive is manageable in one day, plan for one stop to break up the journey and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the highway share is low, meaning you might be on roads with fewer services. The $58 fuel cost estimate provides a good budget baseline for this 289.3-mile trip.
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 144.7 miles from Kayenta, AZ, or about 2h 51m 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 64 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.7 miles or 2h 51m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Peoria, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kayenta, 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 Kayenta, AZ
This is one driving day of about 289.3 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Kayenta, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 146.1 and 287 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
146.1 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
151.4 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
275.2 mi into trip|~5h 8m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
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 214C
Toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
7
275.6 mi into trip|~5h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 101 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
8
287 mi into trip|~5h 22m in
Take the exit toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road, Surprise
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 11
Toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.27 one way
$102.53 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$54.90
$109.80
premium
$5.04
$57.43
$114.85
diesel
$4.80
$54.63
$109.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.8
1
$30.38
$13.89
Efficient EV
72.3
0
$25.31
$11.57
EV Truck/SUV
115.7
1
$40.50
$18.52
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Kayenta, AZ
Late night
in Kayenta on Sunday
Local time
3:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
86°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 6 mph56% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:53PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:10PM MST until July 17 at 7:15PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Peoria, AZ
Late night
in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
2:40 AM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:53PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:10PM MST until July 17 at 7:15PM MST by NWS Phoenix 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 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 27m 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...
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$25
near mile 129.7
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
$25
near mile 149.6
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
$25
near mile 119.7
For centuries, the Hopi, San Juan Southern Paiute, Zuni, and Navajo people have lived in the canyons. Springs fed farmlands on the canyon floor and homes were built in the natural sandstone alcoves. T...
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 199.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 13% of it being highway. You'll experience a dynamic road personality, shifting between different local and state highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent driving before more turns resume. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires constant attention to navigation and road changes.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 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?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 146.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 289.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 146.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 275.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,895 ft1,141 ft
Total Climb
3,515 ft
Total Descent
8,015 ft
Highest Point
6,895 ft
~144.7 mi in
Elevation Range
5,754 ft
Notable High Points
6,685 ft at ~20.7 miles+815 ft prominence
6,895 ft at ~144.7 miles+189 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kayenta, AZ and Peoria, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Kayenta is a small town near the northern border of Arizona and part of the Navajo Nation. The population was 5,189 at the 2010 census. Kayenta is 22 miles (35 km) south of Monument Valley and contains a number of hotels and motels which service visitors to Monument Valley.
Peoria is a city inside of Phoenix, Arizona. Many visitors come to the area during the spring to see their favorite professional baseball team during Spring Training in the Cactus League.
Top landmarks
•Central School — school building in Peoria, Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 289.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 7 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 Peoria, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 146.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 275.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Walnut Canyon 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Peoria, AZ before the return drive.
