Window Rock, AZ Road Trips
Drivers starting from Window Rock, AZ have 2 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Desert Southwest. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 272 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Window Rock, AZ head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Mark Direen
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
330 mi
Maryvale, AZ
Quickest Drive
5h 32m
Mesa, AZ
Plan Around Window Rock, AZ
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Window Rock, AZ is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Window Rock, AZ
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Window Rock, AZ
Driving from Window Rock, AZ
On average, trips departing from Window Rock, AZ run 272 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 33m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 274 miles (5h 35m), while the shortest is just 271 miles.
Popular Destinations
Top road trip destinations from Window Rock, AZ are Scottsdale, AZ (273.5 mi, 5h 35m) and Mesa, AZ (271.3 mi, 5h 32m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in AZ currently averages around $4.95 per gallon. For the typical 272-mile trip from Window Rock, AZ, budget about $53 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring. Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 2 mapped routes leaving Window Rock, AZ and 3 routes heading into Window Rock, AZ, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 271 to 274 miles.
The longest mapped route from Window Rock, AZ covers 274 miles and takes approximately 5h 35m. Shorter options start at just 271 miles.
The average route from Window Rock, AZ runs about 272 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 33m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $4.95/gallon for regular), the average 272-mile trip from Window Rock, AZ costs roughly $53 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Window Rock, AZ include Scottsdale, AZ and Mesa, AZ. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Window Rock, AZ by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
2,384
Median Income
$44,918
Median Home Value
$82,700
Median Age
35.0
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Window Rock, AZ.
Navajo Nation Council Chamber
government center of the Navajo Nation in the Southwestern United States
City data from Wikidata (Q1012668), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Window Rock, AZ
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.
1 Navajo Nation Museum, Library, and Visitor's Center, Hwy 264, ☏ +1 928 871-7941. Tu-F 8AM-6PM (winter), 8AM-7PM (summer); M Sa 8AM-5PM. The modern Navajo Nation Museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich and unique culture of the Navajo Nation. Native displays, book shop, gift shop, snack bar, auditorium, outdoor amphitheater, information kiosk, library, and on-site traditional Navajo hogan complete the center. Free. 2 Navajo Nation Zoo and Botanical Park, Hwy 264, ☏ +1 928-871-6574. M-Sa 10AM-4ː30PM. The only zoo in the U.S. owned by a Native American tribe, the Navajo Zoo focuses on animals native to the reservation and the Southwest. Most were found injured or orphaned, including many golden eagles. Free. (updated Jun 2025) 3 Window Rock Tribal Park and Veteran's Memorial, ☏ +1 928 871 6647. A small park featuring the red sandstone window rock that gave its name to the town. The veteran’s memorial honors Navajos who served in the U.S. military. (updated Jun 2025)
Try out the local frybread stands, most near the downtown fleamarket. 1 Cociana De Dominguez, Hwy 264 and Route 12 (Navajo Nation Shopping Center), ☏ +1 928-810-3777. M-F 10AM-6PM. Mexican restaurant. (updated Dec 2021) 2 Mikasa 2, Hwy 264 and Rt 12 (Navajo Nation Shopping Center). Su-Th 10:30AM–9PM; F Sa 10:30AM–10PM. Chinese and other Asian cuisines. (updated Nov 2016) 3 Blake's Lotaburger, Highway 264, Manuelito, New Mexico, ☏ +1 505 371 5400. New Mexico-based restaurant known for its green chile cheeseburgers 4 Bashas, Hwy 264, ☏ +1 928 871 3322. Grocery store (updated Jan 2021)
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited within Navajo Nation. If you simply must have a beer, Gallup, New Mexico is only a few miles away, but bar-hopping there may expose you to some hostility, owing to problems with alcoholism in Navajo Nation. Latte Abini Coffee, Hwy 264, St Michaels. Coffee and tea stand with a few outdoor tables. (updated Dec 2021)
1 NavajoLand Inn, 392 W. Hwy. 264, Saint Michaels (3 miles from Window Rock), ☏ +1 928-871-5690, [email protected]. Indoor pool and hot tub, WiFi, and breakfast included. (updated Nov 2021) Navajo Nation Inn, 48 W Hwy 264, ☏ +1 928-871-4108. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Breakfast and Wi-Fi included. (updated Mar 2026)
Window Rock is just west of the New Mexico state line and is more easily reached by road from New Mexico than from Arizona. Hwy 264 leads from Gallup on Interstate highway 40 (following historic Route 66) to the town. The southwestern approach to the town is via US Hwy 191 from I-40. Albuqueque International Sunport, with flights around the U.S., is about a 2½-hour drive away.
Window Rock is a small town of 5 square miles (14 sq km) and 2,712 residents. Just walk, bike, or drive. The Navajo Transit System also operates buses. The 1 Navajo Nation Tourism Department operates a tourism information center on Hwy 264 in nearby St. Michaels.
Travel tips adapted from Window Rock on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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