How far is Chinle, AZ from Fort Defiance, AZ?
The driving distance from Chinle, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ is about 71.5 miles (115.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.9 miles (62.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 21m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Talbot County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chinle and Fort Defiance.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chinle and Fort Defiance.
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1
Start on 4th Avenue
45 m · 12 sec · 4th Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
1208 ft · 54 sec · Main Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Navajo Route 7
1.6 mi · 3 min · Navajo Route 7
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
30.3 mi · 45 min · Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
85 m · 4 sec
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6
Exit the roundabout
5.9 mi · 7 min
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7
Continue on Tuba City-Window Rock Highway
28.6 mi · 34 min · Tuba City-Window Rock Highway
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8
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
5 mi · 8 min · Navajo Route 12
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9
Continue on Kit Carson Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · Kit Carson Drive
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10
Turn right onto Old Red Lake Road
17 m · 2 sec · Old Red Lake Road
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old Red Lake Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chinle and Fort Defiance.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
At the end of the road, turn left onto Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
30.3 mi · 00h 45m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Chinle and Mostly Sunny near Fort Defiance.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chinle to Fort Defiance?
The road trip is about 71.5 miles (115.1 km) and usually takes 01h 21m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Saint Michaels is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.5 miles from Chinle and 35 miles from Fort Defiance.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.9 miles (62.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:48 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.48 one way or $24.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Chinle and Mostly Sunny near Fort Defiance.
Stop Ideas Near Saint Michaels
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saint Michaels.
Gallup station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chinle and Fort Defiance. Straight-line distance: 38.88 mi (62.57 km).
#1 Chinle
Census designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 4,518 |
| Coordinates | 36.1544500, -109.5526100 |
| Altitude | 1683 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Defiance
Census designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 4,061 |
| Coordinates | 35.7444600, -109.0764800 |
| Altitude | 2083 |
| Country | United States |
End: Old Red Lake Road (-109.076557, 35.7445)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 115 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $12.48 | $24.95 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $13.45 | $26.90 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $14.03 | $28.05 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $16.04 | $32.08 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Arizona · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.