How far is Fort Defiance, AZ from Cottonwood, AZ?
The driving distance from Fort Defiance, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ is about 79.1 miles (127.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 51 miles (82.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 06m 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 33m.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Defiance and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Defiance and Cottonwood.
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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 2 toward the route
53 m · 2 sec
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7
Exit the roundabout
536 ft · 7 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Arizona State Highway 264
2.4 mi · 3 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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9
Turn right onto Navajo Route 25
18.6 mi · 45 min · Navajo Route 25
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto Navajo Routes 25 and 251
1749 ft · 48 sec · Navajo Routes 25 and 251
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11
Continue on Navajo Route 25
5.6 mi · 14 min · Navajo Route 25
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto Navajo Route 4
1.5 km · 2 min · Navajo Route 4
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13
Turn left
1460 ft · 1 min
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Defiance and Cottonwood.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Arizona State Highway 264
Turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
28.6 mi · 00h 34m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Defiance and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Defiance to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 79.1 miles (127.3 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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 34.5 miles from Fort Defiance and 44.6 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 51 miles (82.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.1 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 3:24 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.81 one way or $27.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Defiance and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cottonwood.
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 Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 50.99 mi (82.06 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 Cottonwood
City in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 12,762 |
| Coordinates | 36.0730600, -109.8923400 |
| Altitude | 1850 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-109.892378, 36.073021)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 127 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $13.81 | $27.63 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $14.89 | $29.79 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $15.53 | $31.06 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $17.76 | $35.52 |
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 27, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.