This 330-mile journey from Maryvale, AZ to Window Rock, AZ will take approximately 5 hours and 55 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll navigate primarily via the Purple Heart Trail, Arizona Veterans Highway, and Black Canyon Freeway. With an estimated fuel cost of $66, this drive through the Desert Southwest offers a turn-heavy local experience. While it can be completed in a single day, breaking it up is an option if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The single recommended stop suggests a straightforward itinerary.
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
165 miles from Maryvale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Maryvale, AZ and Window Rock, AZ.
1
Start on North 55th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North 55th Avenue
2
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
3.8 mi·7 min·West Indian School Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway
406 ft·10 sec·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
5
Merge onto I 17
36 mi·39 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
0.6 mi·1 min·Navajo Route 12
16
Turn right onto Window Rock Boulevard
0.3 mi·26 sec·Window Rock Boulevard
17
Continue on N100
0.4 mi·50 sec·Navajo Route 100
18
Turn sharp left onto Morgan Boulevard
447 ft·21 sec·Morgan Boulevard
19
Turn right onto Tribal Hill Drive
0.2 mi·55 sec·Tribal Hill Drive
20
Turn left
126 ft·9 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 330-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your single recommended stop. With a duration of nearly 6 hours, pacing yourself is key. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially given the 161.5-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail where services might be less frequent. Since this route is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule as needed, but planning around fuel stops is a practical tip for this particular itinerary.
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 165 miles from Maryvale, AZ, or about 2h 55m 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 73 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165 miles or 2h 55m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Window Rock, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maryvale, 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 Maryvale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 330 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Maryvale, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 329.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|West Indian School Road
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.2 mi into trip|~8m in|North Black Canyon Highway
Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
4.6 mi into trip|~9m 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
140.8 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
5
329.7 mi into trip|~5h 53m in|Morgan Boulevard
Turn sharp left onto Morgan Boulevard
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.39 one way
$134.78 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$71.69
$143.38
premium
$5.72
$74.30
$148.60
diesel
$5.35
$69.51
$139.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99
1
$34.65
$15.84
Efficient EV
82.5
0
$28.88
$13.20
EV Truck/SUV
132
1
$46.20
$21.12
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Maryvale, AZ
Afternoon
in Maryvale on Wednesday
Local time
12:08 PM
MST
Current temp
102°F
Sunny
SW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Window Rock, AZ
Afternoon
in Window Rock on Wednesday
Local time
1:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
SW 15 mph0% chanceLive 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
20 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 55m 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...
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 250.3
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 147.9
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 147.9
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...
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 147.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only 19% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 161.5 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. This suggests a route that winds through local roads and may involve more frequent turns and changes in speed. The character of the drive will likely evolve from highway cruising to more intimate local road navigation as you progress toward Window Rock.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 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 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near West Indian School Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 330 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.5 miles (West Indian School Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
6,945 ft1,120 ft
Total Climb
8,286 ft
Total Descent
2,514 ft
Highest Point
6,945 ft
~141.4 mi in
Elevation Range
5,825 ft
Notable High Points
3,851 ft at ~70.7 miles+520 ft prominence
6,945 ft at ~141.4 miles+543 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Maryvale, AZ and Window Rock, AZ, road signs point toward Albuquerque and Bia 12 North: Window Rock.
Albuquerque
140.8 mi in|~2h 30m
Bia 12 North: Window Rock
302.7 mi in|~5h 14m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Window Rock (Navajo: Tségháhoodzání) is a town of 2,500 people (2020) in Apache County, in the state of Arizona in the United States of America. It is significant beyond its size as the administrative center of Navajo Nation, the country's largest Indian reservation and an important tourist destination.
Top landmarks
•Navajo Nation Council Chamber — government center of the Navajo Nation in the Southwestern United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 330 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (19%). 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 0.5 miles (West Indian School Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Petrified Forest National Park 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 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Window Rock, AZ before the return drive.
