How far is Yuma, AZ from Fort Defiance, AZ?
The driving distance from Yuma, AZ to Fort Defiance, AZ is about 511 miles (822.4 km), with a travel time of about 09h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 379.3 miles (610.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 18h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 09h 14m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Yuma and Fort Defiance.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yuma and Fort Defiance.
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1
Start on North 4th Avenue
1337 ft · 23 sec · North 4th Avenue
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2
Continue on Winterhaven Drive
658 ft · 16 sec · Winterhaven Drive
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1310 ft · 32 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Kumeyaay Highway
1026 ft · 12 sec · Kumeyaay Highway
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5
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
114.2 mi · 1 hr 59 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
1190 ft · 29 sec
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7
Continue on East Pima Street
3.3 mi · 6 min · East Pima Street
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8
Continue on Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1.1 km · 2 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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9
Turn left onto Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1548 ft · 44 sec · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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10
Continue on Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi · 33 min · Arizona State Highway 85
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11
Continue on Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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12
Continue on South Oglesby Road
3.7 mi · 5 min · South Oglesby Road
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East: Phoenix
1.1 km · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
10.4 mi · 11 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 303 Loop North
1.7 mi · 3 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
34.2 mi · 40 min · Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
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17
Take the exit slight left toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
1.4 km · 1 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 17 North: Flagstaff
1270 ft · 17 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
16.4 mi · 17 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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20
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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21
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi · 14 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
77.3 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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23
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1 km · 44 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
2458 ft · 1 min
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25
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
161.5 mi · 2 hr 42 min · Purple Heart Trail
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26
Take the exit slight right toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock
1172 ft · 34 sec
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27
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
23.7 mi · 34 min · Navajo Route 12
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28
Turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
1.9 mi · 3 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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29
Turn left onto Navajo Route 12
5 mi · 8 min · Navajo Route 12
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30
Continue on Kit Carson Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · Kit Carson Drive
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31
Turn right onto Old Red Lake Road
17 m · 2 sec · Old Red Lake Road
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old Red Lake Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Yuma 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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Yuma and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Fort Defiance.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Yuma to Fort Defiance?
The road trip is about 511 miles (822.4 km) and usually takes 09h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Camp Verde is a useful midpoint, sitting about 255.1 miles from Yuma and 255.9 miles from Fort Defiance.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 379.3 miles (610.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 131.7 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 7:30 AM MST. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $84.56 one way or $169.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 160.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Yuma 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 Yuma and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Fort Defiance.
Stop Ideas Near Camp Verde
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Days Inn by Wyndham Camp Verde Arizona
Camp Verde Az
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Camp Verde.
Camp Verde, Arizona
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Flagstaff (Greyhound), Arizona
Flagstaff Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Yuma and Fort Defiance. Straight-line distance: 379.3 mi (610.42 km).
#1 Yuma
The most populous city in Yuma County, Arizona.
| Population | 99,811 |
| Coordinates | 32.7253200, -114.6244000 |
| Altitude | 43 |
| 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: 822 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 17h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.69 | $84.56 | $169.12 |
| Mid-grade | $5.04 | $90.89 | $181.78 |
| Premium | $5.37 | $96.82 | $193.64 |
| Diesel | $6.21 | $111.88 | $223.75 |
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 · Oct 14, 2026