Traveling from Window Rock to Scottsdale covers 271.8 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect the journey to take approximately 4 hours and 37 minutes of pure driving time, making it a manageable single-day trip for most travelers. You will navigate primarily via Tribal Hill Drive, Morgan Boulevard, and Route 100 rather than major interstates. Budgeting around $53 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of the trek. Because the route is entirely within Arizona, you will experience a consistent regional climate as you transition between locations. It is a straightforward drive that prioritizes local roads over fast-paced highway travel.
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
136.8 miles from Window Rock, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Beeline Highway
72.8 mi
1h 26m
Purple Heart Trail
69.9 mi
1h 9m
Heber Road
30.9 mi
36m
Payson-Show Low Highway
24.2 mi
30m
Navajo Route 12
24.2 mi
34m
Hwy 260
15.9 mi
22m
Payson-Heber Highway
12.7 mi
17m
West 3rd Street North
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
South Beeline Highway
— 72.8 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Window Rock, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on this road
126 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Tribal Hill Drive
0.2 mi·58 sec·Tribal Hill Drive
3
Turn left onto Morgan Boulevard
447 ft·25 sec·Morgan Boulevard
4
Turn sharp right onto N100
0.4 mi·43 sec·Navajo Route 100
5
Continue on Window Rock Boulevard
0.3 mi·28 sec·Window Rock Boulevard
6
At end of road, turn left onto N12
0.6 mi·1 min·Navajo Route 12
7
Turn right onto AZ 264
1.9 mi·2 min·Arizona State Highway 264
8
Turn left onto N12
24 mi·33 min·Navajo Route 12
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
10
Merge onto I 40
70 mi·1 hr 9 min·Purple Heart Trail
11
Take the exit onto AZ 77
0.4 mi·50 sec·AZ 77
Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
12
Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 77; US 66 Hist
1.2 mi·2 min·Navajo Boulevard
13
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi·56 sec·Holbrook-Springerville Highway
14
Continue on AZ 77
1.6 mi·2 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
15
Turn right onto AZ 377
31 mi·36 min·Heber Road
16
Turn straight onto AZ 377
2.9 mi·3 min·Heber-Holbrook Highway
17
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277
4.9 mi·6 min·West 3rd Street North
18
Continue on AZ 277
1.9 mi·3 min·Highway 277
19
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260
0.2 mi·19 sec·Highway 260
20
Continue on AZ 260
16 mi·22 min·Hwy 260
21
Continue on AZ 260
13 mi·17 min·Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on AZ 260
24 mi·30 min·Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto AZ 87
73 mi·1 hr 26 min·South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto East McDowell Road
2.6 mi·3 min·East McDowell Road
25
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
26
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
2.3 mi·2 min·Pima Freeway
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 46Toward Chaparral RoadUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Chaparral Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29
Turn left
64 ft·4 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 4-hour and 37-minute trip consists entirely of local roads, you should plan for a steady pace rather than high-speed travel. Aim to depart early in the day to avoid fatigue while navigating the turn-heavy sections of the route. With only one planned stop recommended, be sure to time your break effectively to maximize your energy levels. Keep your fuel budget of $53 in mind, and verify your route before leaving, as the reliance on local roads like Route 100 means you should stay alert for directional changes. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so use your single stop to stretch and regroup before finishing the final leg to Scottsdale.
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 136.8 miles from Window Rock, AZ, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.8 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 60 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.8 miles or 2h 40m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsdale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Window Rock, 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 Window Rock, AZ
This is one driving day of about 273.5 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Window Rock, 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 South Beeline Highway for about 72.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 272.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Morgan Boulevard
Turn left onto Morgan Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|N100 / Navajo Route 100
Turn sharp right onto N100 / Navajo Route 100
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
97.2 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|AZ 77
Take the exit onto AZ 77 toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South...
5
269.8 mi into trip|~5h 29m in
Take the ramp toward AZ 101 Loop North
Navigation decision point
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
272.4 mi into trip|~5h 32m in
Take the exit toward Chaparral Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.48 one way
$108.97 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$57.66
$115.32
premium
$5.59
$60.20
$120.40
diesel
$5.61
$60.39
$120.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.1
1
$28.72
$13.13
Efficient EV
68.4
0
$23.93
$10.94
EV Truck/SUV
109.4
1
$38.29
$17.50
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Window Rock, AZ
Late night
in Window Rock on Tuesday
Local time
2:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Late night
in Scottsdale on Tuesday
Local time
1:54 AM
MST
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Payson, AZ
137 mi in
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
20 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 35m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share for this route is 0%, you should prepare for constant maneuvering on local roads like Tribal Hill Drive and Morgan Boulevard. With no stretches of open highway, your longest uninterrupted driving period is 0 miles, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. The experience is best described as a series of technical local connections that demand steady concentration. You will spend the entire 271.8 miles navigating the nuances of the local road network.
Only 17% 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: 72.8 mi on South Beeline Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Morgan Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 35m drive. You will face about 20 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Morgan Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (N100 / Navajo Route 100): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 97.2 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Window Rock, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Heber along the way.
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.
Scottsdale is a city in the state of Arizona. Scottsdale is home to many galleries, high quality resorts, and golf courses. It is also one of the wealthier parts of the Phoenix Metro Area.
Top landmarks
•Taliesin West — Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
•Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art — art museum
•Little Red Schoolhouse — now used as the Scottsdale Historical Museum, NRHP-listed
The longest stretch is about 72.8 miles on South Beeline 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.
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 0.3 miles (Morgan Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (N100 / Navajo Route 100): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 97.2 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scottsdale, AZ before the return drive.
