How far is Fort Defiance, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance from Fort Defiance, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 326 miles (524.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 235.7 miles (379.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 05m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in Coconino County, Arizona
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Defiance and Surprise.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Defiance and Surprise.
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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
1.9 mi · 3 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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5
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
23.6 mi · 33 min · Navajo Route 12
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6
Take the ramp right
1153 ft · 28 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
161.3 mi · 2 hr 42 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
907 ft · 17 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
1 mi · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
93 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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11
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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12
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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13
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
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14
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 303 Loop South
2524 ft · 38 sec
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16
Turn right
3181 ft · 1 min
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17
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 46 sec
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18
Continue straight
125 m · 7 sec
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19
Keep slight left
1628 ft · 21 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
948 ft · 12 sec · Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
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21
Take the exit slight right
1.1 km · 48 sec
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22
Continue straight
1459 ft · 19 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
12.1 mi · 14 min · Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward El Mirage Road
1488 ft · 1 min
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25
Continue on El Mirage Road
1088 ft · 1 min
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26
Turn left onto North El Mirage Road
5.1 mi · 9 min · North El Mirage Road
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27
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
2632 ft · 2 min · West Paradise Lane
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28
Turn left onto North Nash Street
27 m · 3 sec · North Nash Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Defiance and Surprise.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Purple Heart Trail
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
161 mi · 02h 42m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Defiance and Sunny near Surprise.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Defiance to Surprise?
The road trip is about 326 miles (524.6 km) and usually takes 05h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Leupp is a useful midpoint, sitting about 165.8 miles from Fort Defiance and 160.1 miles from Surprise.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 235.7 miles (379.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 90.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:48 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.94 one way or $113.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Fort Defiance and Surprise, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Defiance and Sunny near Surprise.
Stop Ideas Near Leupp
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 Leupp.
Winslow
Flagstaff (Greyhound), Arizona
Flagstaff Station
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Defiance and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 235.7 mi (379.32 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 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Nash Street (-112.333438, 33.630589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 525 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $56.94 | $113.87 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $61.39 | $122.77 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $64.01 | $128.02 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $73.21 | $146.42 |
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.