Mazatzal Rest Area (Closed)
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Lukachukai, 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
7h 19m
Distance
344.9 mi
555 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 9m
★
6 AM
7h 19m
8 AM
7h 40m
10 AM
7h 27m
12 PM
7h 24m
3 PM
7h 28m
5 PM
7h 39m
8 PM
7h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phoenix, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Lukachukai, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
Phoenix to Lukachukai is 344.9 miles and takes about 7h 19m via Navajo Route 12, Purple Heart Trail, and Beeline Highway, with a fuel budget near $67 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona, transitioning between the Desert Southwest's arid landscapes. Expect a mixed driving experience, with a significant portion on highways and then transitioning to other routes. It's a straightforward drive if you're looking for a single-day transit between these two points in the 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
172.5 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Navajo Route 12 | 81.4 mi | 2h 2m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 69.9 mi | 1h 9m |
| Beeline Highway | 68.4 mi | 1h 20m |
| AZ 260 | 53 mi | 1h 11m |
| Heber Road | 30.9 mi | 36m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 12.9 mi | 15m |
| West 3rd Street North | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| North Beeline Highway | 4.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Navajo Route 12
— 81.4 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Lukachukai, AZ.
1
Start on West Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
4
Merge onto I 10
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
5
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 13
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto AZ 87
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Country Club Drive
11
Continue on AZ 87
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North Beeline Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Continue on AZ 87
68 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto AZ 260
53 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
AZ 260
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto AZ 277
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 277
15
Continue on AZ 277
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West 3rd Street North
16
Turn left onto AZ 377
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Heber-Holbrook Highway
17
Turn straight onto AZ 377
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Heber Road
18
Turn left onto AZ 77
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
19
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Holbrook-Springerville Highway
20
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Navajo Boulevard
21
Take the exit onto AZ 77
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
AZ 77
22
Merge onto I 40; AZ 77
70 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock
24
Turn left onto N12
24 mi
·
33 min
·
Navajo Route 12
25
Turn right onto AZ 264
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Arizona State Highway 264
26
Turn left onto N12
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Navajo Route 12
27
Turn slight right
189 ft
·
6 sec
Use the right lane.
28
Turn slight right onto N12
12 mi
·
19 min
·
Navajo Route 12
29
Continue on N12
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Cleveland Boulevard
30
Continue on N12
41 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Navajo Route 12
31
Turn right onto N13
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Navajo Route 13
32
Continue on N133
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Navajo Route 133
33
Turn left
81 ft
·
5 sec
34
Turn right
278 ft
·
12 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour estimated drive time, leaving Phoenix in the morning should allow you to reach Lukachukai with plenty of daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the drive effectively. Keep an eye on fuel, especially as you move away from major highway corridors; planning your fuel stops around the longest stretch of 81.4 miles on Navajo Route 12 is a good idea. This is a route that can comfortably be completed in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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 172.5 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.4 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 76 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.5 miles or 3h 36m 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 46m
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 Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ
This is one driving day of about 344.9 miles and 7h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Phoenix, 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 Navajo Route 12 for about 81.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
172 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 172.5 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Navajo Route 12 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.4 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.
Service Plaza
0.5 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
Pilot Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
Arizona Science Center
3.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm
+16027162000
Visit websiteDorrance DOME
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm
Visit websiteEnchanted Island Amusement Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–4 pm
+16022541200
Visit websiteDesert Dog Offroad Adventures
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Fountain Hills, Arizona
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+14808373966
Visit websiteAmusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: Closed
+14809958653
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 16.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North 7th Avenue
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
3.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
6
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
16.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
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 13
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.12 one way
$122.24 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $65.45 | $130.90 |
| premium | $5.04 | $68.46 | $136.93 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $65.12 | $130.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.5 | 1 | $36.21 | $16.56 |
| Efficient EV | 86.2 | 0 | $30.18 | $13.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138 | 1 | $48.29 | $22.07 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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
Phoenix, AZ
Evening in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
6:27 PM
MST
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 mph
59% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:29AM MST until July 17 at 6:30AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:36AM MST until July 17 at 5:30AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Destination
Lukachukai, AZ
Evening in Lukachukai on Saturday
Local time
7:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Rain Showers then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 6 mph
74% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:29AM MST until July 17 at 6:30AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:36AM MST until July 17 at 5:30AM 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
5 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
7h 19m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$25
near mile 214.1
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 333
View on nps.gov
Tonto National Monument
National Monument
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
~59 min detour
$10
near mile 47.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 45% of this 344.9-mile route is on highways, meaning you'll have stretches of higher-speed cruising before transitioning to other road types. The longest continuous segment without a significant change in road type is 81.4 miles on Navajo Route 12. You'll notice a shift from more developed highway conditions to more rural cruising as you progress. The profile is described as mixed highway & surface, indicating varied driving conditions.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.4 mi on Navajo Route 12.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near North 7th Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 344.9 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
7,577 ft
1,088 ft
Total Climb
8,523 ft
Total Descent
3,066 ft
Highest Point
7,577 ft
~123.2 mi in
Elevation Range
6,489 ft
Notable High Points
7,577 ft at ~123.2 miles
+1,176 ft prominence
7,408 ft at ~320.3 miles
+412 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.
On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Lukachukai, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Bia 12 North: Window Rock along the way.
Bia 12 North: Window Rock
257.4 mi in
|
~5h 6m
About the Cities
Starting in Phoenix, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1868
Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.
Top landmarks
- • Arizona State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona
- • Phoenix Art Museum — art museum in Phoenix, Arizona
- • St. Mary's Basilica — Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, Arizona
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 19m. Total distance: 344.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.4 miles on Navajo Route 12. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Petrified Forest National Park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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