Saint Michaels to Deer Valley is 309 miles and takes about 5 hours 24 minutes via Purple Heart Trail, Arizona Veterans Highway, and Navajo Route 12, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona, traversing the Desert Southwest for its entirety. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, offering a more grounded experience than a highway-centric route. With only one recommended stop and a total duration under six hours, it's a straightforward trip suitable for a single day.
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
154.5 miles from Saint Michaels, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Michaels, AZ and Deer Valley, AZ.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·33 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto N12
23 mi·31 min·Navajo Route 12
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
4
Merge onto I 40
161 mi·2 hr 42 min·Purple Heart Trail
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
6
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
7
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
8
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 17
9.5 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 215BToward Deer Valley Road, Rose Garden LaneUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Black Canyon Highway
14
Turn right onto West Deer Valley Road
1.2 mi·2 min·West Deer Valley Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto North 35th Avenue
37 ft·0 sec·North 35th Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
North 35th Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 309-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Saint Michaels to ensure you have ample daylight. The route is manageable in a single day, but with 161.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail, it’s wise to be mindful of fuel, especially since this is predominantly surface roads. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before you begin the longest stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be less frequent on the surface road sections.
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 154.5 miles from Saint Michaels, AZ, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 161.3 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 68 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.5 miles or 2h 45m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Deer Valley, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Michaels, 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 Saint Michaels, AZ
This is one driving day of about 309 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Saint Michaels, 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 161.3 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 307.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|N12 / Navajo Route 12
Turn right onto N12 / Navajo Route 12
Navigation decision point
5
184.2 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flags...
6
184.4 mi into trip|~3h 15m 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
307.4 mi into trip|~5h 21m in
Take the exit toward Deer Valley Road, Rose Garden Lane
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 215B
Toward Deer Valley Road, Rose Garden Lane
5
307.8 mi into trip|~5h 22m in|West Deer Valley Road
Turn right onto West Deer Valley Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.76 one way
$109.51 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$58.64
$117.27
premium
$5.04
$61.34
$122.68
diesel
$4.80
$58.35
$116.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.7
1
$32.45
$14.83
Efficient EV
77.3
0
$27.04
$12.36
EV Truck/SUV
123.6
1
$43.26
$19.78
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Saint Michaels, AZ
Evening
in Saint Michaels on Saturday
Local time
7:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 9 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 12:03PM MST until July 17 at 1:15PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 12:00PM MST until July 17 at 2:15PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Deer Valley, AZ
Evening
in Deer Valley on Saturday
Local time
6:27 PM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 12:03PM MST until July 17 at 1:15PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 12:00PM MST until July 17 at 2:15PM 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
10 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 24m 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...
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$25
near mile 170.5
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...
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$25
near mile 170.5
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
~36 min detour
$10
near mile 234.4
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
~62 min detour
$25
near mile 170.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with highways making up only 14% of the drive. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on Purple Heart Trail, covering 161.3 miles. The majority of your time will be spent on roads like Navajo Route 12, suggesting a more rural or local cruising experience. Prepare for a driving environment that prioritizes surface road navigation over high-speed highway travel.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 161.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near N12 / Navajo Route 12.
Driving Effort6/10
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 309 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (N12 / Navajo Route 12): Navigation decision point; at 184.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,745 ft1,374 ft
Total Climb
1,775 ft
Total Descent
7,146 ft
Highest Point
6,745 ft
Elevation Range
5,371 ft
Notable High Points
6,707 ft at ~176.6 miles+10 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saint Michaels, AZ and Deer Valley, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
St. Michaels is in Maryland, a state in the United States of America.
St. Michaels is a collage of churches, manicured colonial, federal and Victorian homes, historic heritage, diverse artistic talents, and pleasant Southern culture. It is also the proud cradle and repository of the Chesapeake's maritime history.
It's a town in constant contrast, from horse-and-buggy, steamboats, watermen's deadrises, century-old log canoes and ancient buggies to ATM's, the Internet, luxury Town Cars and fancy cabin cruisers.
It's a shopping mecca with a wide array of fashionable clothing, antique and artisan shops aimed at ardent collectors. It's a galaxy of specialty food shops (including candy and ice cream) and superb nationally-renowned restaurants destined to delight even the most demanding gourmet. Of course, succulent Chesapeake seafood, fresh from the harbors, is the regional specialty.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 309 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 161.3 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 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 Deer Valley, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (N12 / Navajo Route 12): Navigation decision point; at 184.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Deer Valley, AZ before the return drive.
