How far is Tempe Junction, AZ from Fort Defiance, AZ?
The driving distance from Tempe Junction, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ is about 280.5 miles (451.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 229.2 miles (368.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 30m 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 05h 45m.
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.
Town in Arizona - United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tempe Junction and Fort Defiance.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction and Fort Defiance.
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1
Start on West 13th Street
1876 ft · 1 min · West 13th Street
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2
Turn straight onto East Apache Boulevard
1 km · 2 min · East Apache Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto South Rural Road
1.6 km · 2 min · South Rural Road
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4
Continue on North Scottsdale Road
2278 ft · 59 sec · North Scottsdale Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward AZ 202 Loop East: Red Mountain Freeway
1743 ft · 45 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
1828 ft · 47 sec
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8
Turn left onto North Country Club Drive
2799 ft · 1 min · North Country Club Drive
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9
Continue on North Beeline Highway
4.5 mi · 5 min · North Beeline Highway
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10
Continue on Beeline Highway
68.4 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Beeline Highway
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11
Turn right
53 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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12
Turn left onto Highway 277
1.9 mi · 3 min · Highway 277
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13
Continue on West 3rd Street North
4.9 mi · 7 min · West 3rd Street North
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14
Turn left onto Heber-Holbrook Highway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Heber-Holbrook Highway
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15
Turn straight onto Heber Road
30.9 mi · 36 min · Heber Road
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16
Turn left onto Show Low-Holbrook Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Show Low-Holbrook Highway
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17
Continue on Holbrook-Springerville Highway
2841 ft · 57 sec · Holbrook-Springerville Highway
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18
Continue on Navajo Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · Navajo Boulevard
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19
Take the exit right
3058 ft · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
69.9 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Purple Heart Trail
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21
Take the exit slight right toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock
1172 ft · 34 sec
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22
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
23.7 mi · 34 min · Navajo Route 12
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23
Turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
1.9 mi · 3 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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24
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
5 mi · 8 min · Navajo Route 12
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25
Continue on Kit Carson Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · Kit Carson Drive
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26
Turn right onto Old Red Lake Road
17 m · 2 sec · Old Red Lake Road
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old Red Lake Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tempe Junction and Fort Defiance.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Purple Heart Trail
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
69.9 mi · 01h 10m
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 Tempe Junction 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 Tempe Junction to Fort Defiance?
The road trip is about 280.5 miles (451.4 km) and usually takes 05h 45m 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?
Taylor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.2 miles from Tempe Junction and 140.2 miles from Fort Defiance.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 229.2 miles (368.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.3 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 MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:30 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.01 one way or $98.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Tempe Junction 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 Tempe Junction and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Defiance.
Stop Ideas Near Taylor
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 Taylor.
Winslow
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tempe Junction and Fort Defiance. Straight-line distance: 229.16 mi (368.79 km).
#1 Tempe Junction
A census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona.
| Population | 158,368 |
| Coordinates | 33.4142100, -111.9434800 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| 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: 451 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $49.01 | $98.03 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $52.85 | $105.69 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $55.10 | $110.21 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $63.02 | $126.05 |
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.