How far is Fort Defiance, AZ from Chinle, AZ?
The driving distance from Fort Defiance, AZ to Chinle, AZ is about 72.9 miles (117.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.9 miles (62.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 19m 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 39m.
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.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Defiance and Chinle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Defiance and Chinle.
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1
Start on Old Red Lake Road
17 m · 8 sec · Old Red Lake Road
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2
Turn left onto Kit Carson Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · Kit Carson Drive
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3
Continue on Navajo Route 12
5 mi · 8 min · Navajo Route 12
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4
Turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
28.6 mi · 34 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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5
Continue straight
5.9 mi · 7 min
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
17 m · 1 sec · Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
30.3 mi · 45 min · Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
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8
Turn right onto Navajo Route 7
1.6 mi · 2 min · Navajo Route 7
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9
Turn left onto Main Street
1208 ft · 55 sec · Main Street
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10
At the end of the road, turn right onto 4th Avenue
45 m · 7 sec · 4th Avenue
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Defiance and Chinle.
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
Exit the roundabout 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.
Sunny leaving Fort Defiance and Sunny near Chinle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Defiance to Chinle?
The road trip is about 72.9 miles (117.3 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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 Fort Defiance and 36.5 miles from Chinle.
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 34 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 3:10 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.72 one way or $25.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Defiance and Sunny near Chinle.
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 Fort Defiance and Chinle. Straight-line distance: 38.88 mi (62.57 km).
#1 Fort Defiance
Census designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 4,061 |
| Coordinates | 35.7444600, -109.0764800 |
| Altitude | 2083 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chinle
Census designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 4,518 |
| Coordinates | 36.1544500, -109.5526100 |
| Altitude | 1683 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chinle (-109.55261, 36.15445)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 117 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $12.72 | $25.45 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $13.72 | $27.44 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $14.30 | $28.61 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $16.36 | $32.72 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.