How far is Springerville, AZ from Fort Defiance, AZ?
The driving distance from Springerville, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ is about 131.3 miles (211.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 112 miles (180.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
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 02h 49m.
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.
Census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Springerville and Fort Defiance.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springerville and Fort Defiance.
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1
Start on the route
51 m · 17 sec
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
3.1 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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3
Turn slight right
25.5 mi · 38 min
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Cleveland Street
1469 ft · 50 sec · Cleveland Street
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5
Continue on St. Johns-Sanders Highway
899 ft · 12 sec · St. Johns-Sanders Highway
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6
Continue on St. Johns-Sanders Highway
52.4 mi · 1 hr 1 min · St. Johns-Sanders Highway
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7
Take the ramp right toward US 191 South: St Johns
1967 ft · 48 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
17.4 mi · 17 min · Purple Heart Trail
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9
Take the exit slight right toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock
1172 ft · 34 sec
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10
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
23.7 mi · 34 min · Navajo Route 12
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11
Turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
1.9 mi · 3 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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12
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
5 mi · 8 min · Navajo Route 12
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13
Continue on Kit Carson Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · Kit Carson Drive
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14
Turn right onto Old Red Lake Road
17 m · 2 sec · Old Red Lake Road
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old Red Lake Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Springerville and Fort Defiance.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
St. Johns-Sanders Highway
Continue on St. Johns-Sanders Highway
52.4 mi · 01h 01m
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 leaving Springerville and Sunny near Fort Defiance.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Springerville to Fort Defiance?
The road trip is about 131.3 miles (211.3 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?
Houck is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.7 miles from Springerville and 65.6 miles from Fort Defiance.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 112 miles (180.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:52 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.92 one way or $45.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Springerville and Fort Defiance, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Springerville and Sunny near Fort Defiance.
Stop Ideas Near Houck
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 Houck.
Gallup station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Springerville and Fort Defiance. Straight-line distance: 111.95 mi (180.16 km).
#1 Springerville
Town in Apache County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 1,985 |
| Coordinates | 34.1335500, -109.2883400 |
| Altitude | 2125 |
| 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: Fort Defiance (-109.07648, 35.74446)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 211 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $22.92 | $45.85 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $24.71 | $49.43 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $25.77 | $51.54 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $29.47 | $58.95 |
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.