Surprise, AZ to Kayenta, AZ is 290.6 miles and takes about 5h 30m via Arizona Veterans Highway, Navajo Trail, and Flagstaff-Cameron Highway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you through the Desert Southwest, offering a straightforward path from one part of Arizona to another. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll spend most of your time on surface roads, making it a less intense driving experience. It's a practical option if you need to get from the Surprise area to Kayenta without a complex 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
145.3 miles from Surprise, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise, AZ and Kayenta, AZ.
1
Start on North Nash Street
88 ft·5 sec·North Nash Street
2
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
0.5 mi·1 min·West Paradise Lane
3
At end of road, turn left onto North El Mirage Road
5.0 mi·8 min·North El Mirage Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·2 min
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
5
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
15 mi·17 min·Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 17 North: FlagstaffUse the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
8
Merge onto I 17
16 mi·16 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
5.1 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 89 North: Page
16
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus
0.5 mi·50 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn right onto US 89
2.3 mi·3 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
19
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
20
Enter roundabout onto US 89
156 ft·2 sec·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
21
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
22
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 89
23
Continue on US 89
14 mi·16 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
24
Turn right onto US 160
82 mi·1 hr 34 min·Navajo Trail
25
Turn left onto US 163
1.4 mi·2 min·Kayenta-Utah State Line Highway
26
Turn left
0.1 mi·32 sec
27
Turn left onto Comb Ridge Road
42 ft·1 sec·Comb Ridge Road
28
Arrive at destination
Comb Ridge Road
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 290.6-mile drive, it's best to depart in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. The route is manageable in a single day, but consider a brief stop for fuel and a stretch, especially given the longest stretch without services is 90.6 miles on the Arizona Veterans Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you enter more rural sections. With a fuel cost estimated around $52, it's a budget-friendly trip, and the flexibility of a single-day drive allows for spontaneous breaks if needed.
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 145.3 miles from Surprise, AZ, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 145.3 miles or 2h 38m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kayenta, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Surprise, 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 Surprise, AZ
This is one driving day of about 290.6 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Surprise, 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 90.6 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 0.5 and 144.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|North El Mirage Road
At end of road, turn left onto North El Mirage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
5.5 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward AZ 303 Loop North
Navigation decision point
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
6
20.8 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
6
144.3 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
144.8 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Turn right onto US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.50 one way
$102.99 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$55.15
$110.29
premium
$5.04
$57.69
$115.37
diesel
$4.80
$54.87
$109.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.2
1
$30.51
$13.95
Efficient EV
72.7
0
$25.43
$11.62
EV Truck/SUV
116.2
1
$40.68
$18.60
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 15, 2026
Origin
Surprise, AZ
Late night
in Surprise on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
MST
Current temp
108°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 5 to 10 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 15 at 1:36AM MST until July 15 at 11:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 15 at 12:01AM MST until July 16 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Kayenta, AZ
Late night
in Kayenta on Sunday
Local time
2:15 AM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 6 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 15 at 1:36AM MST until July 15 at 11:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 15 at 12:01AM MST until July 16 at 8:00PM 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
15 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 30m 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
~12 min detour
$25
near mile 160.3
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
$25
near mile 140.3
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 170.3
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 280.5
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
~37 min detour
$10
near mile 90.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads, with highway driving making up only 13% of the total mileage. You'll experience a long stretch of 90.6 miles on the Arizona Veterans Highway before transitioning to other roads. Expect mostly rural cruising as you navigate between these areas, with fewer exits and a more open feel compared to interstate travel. The shift from any highway segments to surface roads will be noticeable as you encounter more local intersections.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.6 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 0.5 miles in near North El Mirage Road.
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 290.6 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 El Mirage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,852 ft1,173 ft
Total Climb
7,966 ft
Total Descent
3,499 ft
Highest Point
6,852 ft
~145.3 mi in
Elevation Range
5,679 ft
Notable High Points
6,852 ft at ~145.3 miles+176 ft prominence
6,686 ft at ~269.8 miles+822 ft prominence
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 Surprise, AZ to Kayenta, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 290.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Kayenta, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (North El Mirage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kayenta, AZ before the return drive.
