Blanding to Scottsdale Road Trip: Ultimate Guide

Blanding, Utah, sits at 6,100 feet on the Colorado Plateau, while Scottsdale, Arizona, lies at 1,300 feet in the Sonoran Desert. Over 380 miles, you drop nearly 5,000 feet, passing through Monument Valley, the Navajo Nation, and the Painted Desert. The most direct route is US-191 south to I-40 west, then AZ-87 south into Scottsdale. Expect about 6.5 hours of driving time without stops, but plan for at least 8 hours to explore.

This guide answers the best stops Blanding, UT to Scottsdale, AZ, how long to drive, and is it worth driving? It also reveals things to do between these cities. Use our how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities approach to craft your own adventure.

Speed limits drop on US-191 near tribal lands; watch for livestock. Cell service is spotty; download offline maps. The best rest stops are the Navajo Nation welcome center at the Arizona border (restrooms, information) and the Petrified Forest visitor center (clean facilities, exhibits).

For families, the Petrified Forest offers easy trails and the Painted Desert Inn museum. In Payson, the Rim Country Museum has a pioneer village. For pet owners, most rest stops have grassy areas, and the national park allows pets on leash on paved surfaces.

• Fatigue management: stop every 2 hours. Ideal break at the Painted Desert overlook.
• Fuel warning: keep tank above half when entering remote stretches.
• Safety tip: carry extra water and snacks, especially in summer.

US-191 is a two-lane highway through the Navajo Nation, with limited services. Fuel up in Blanding or Bluff, Utah. The next reliable gas is 70 miles south in Kayenta, Arizona. Kayenta has a Shell station and a few fast-food restaurants.

From Kayenta, take US-160 west to US-191 south to I-40 east. The I-40 corridor boasts numerous truck stops, including Love's and Pilot in Holbrook. After Holbrook, take AZ-87 south through the Tonto National Forest, a winding mountain road with limited services until Payson. Payson has grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants.

• Blanding: Chevron, Sinclair (both open 24/7)
• Kayenta: Shell (6 AM - 10 PM)
• Holbrook: Many truck stops (24/7)
• Payson: Safeway, multiple gas stations
• Road quality: US-191 is well-maintained but narrow; AZ-87 is curvy but paved.

From Blanding, you quickly enter Monument Valley, with its iconic sandstone buttes. The Valley Drive is a 17-mile dirt road, but you can see the monuments from US-191. Further south, the Painted Desert near Holbrook shows colorful badlands. The Petrified Forest National Park is a must-see, with ancient fossilized logs.

Local commerce thrives in the Navajo Nation, selling handmade jewelry, pottery, and rugs. In Kayenta, visit the Kayenta Monument Valley Inn gift shop. Holbrook has the Wigwam Motel, a Route 66 icon. In Payson, the Tonto Natural Bridge is a stunning travertine arch.

• Monument Valley: $20 per vehicle for Navajo Tribal Park
• Petrified Forest: $25 per vehicle
• Navajo tacos at Kayenta: try fry bread at Amigo Cafe
• Route 66 memorabilia in Holbrook