How far is Surprise, AZ from Fort Defiance, AZ?
The driving distance from Surprise, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ is about 332.3 miles (534.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 235.7 miles (379.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
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 06h 00m.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Surprise and Fort Defiance.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise and Fort Defiance.
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1
Start on North Nash Street
27 m · 5 sec · North Nash Street
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2
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
2632 ft · 2 min · West Paradise Lane
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North El Mirage Road
5 mi · 9 min · North El Mirage Road
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4
Take the ramp right toward AZ 303 Loop North
2534 ft · 2 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
14.8 mi · 17 min · Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
1.4 km · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 17 North: Flagstaff
1270 ft · 17 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
16.4 mi · 17 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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9
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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10
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi · 14 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
77.3 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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12
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1 km · 44 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
2458 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
161.5 mi · 2 hr 42 min · Purple Heart Trail
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15
Take the exit slight right toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock
1172 ft · 34 sec
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16
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
23.7 mi · 34 min · Navajo Route 12
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17
Turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
1.9 mi · 3 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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18
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
5 mi · 8 min · Navajo Route 12
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19
Continue on Kit Carson Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · Kit Carson Drive
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20
Turn right onto Old Red Lake Road
17 m · 2 sec · Old Red Lake Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old Red Lake Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surprise and Fort Defiance.
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.
Sunny leaving Surprise and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Defiance.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surprise to Fort Defiance?
The road trip is about 332.3 miles (534.8 km) and usually takes 06h 00m 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 166.2 miles from Surprise and 166.2 miles from Fort Defiance.
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 96.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:00 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $58.08 one way or $116.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Surprise and Fort Defiance, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Surprise and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Defiance.
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 Surprise and Fort Defiance. Straight-line distance: 235.7 mi (379.32 km).
#1 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| 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: 535 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $58.08 | $116.15 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $62.61 | $125.23 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $65.29 | $130.58 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $74.67 | $149.35 |
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.