Grand Canyon to Monument Valley: Desert View Drive Route, Stops, and Drive Time
The drive from the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley is about 155 miles and 3 hours from Grand Canyon Village to Kayenta, AZ, plus another 25 miles (30 minutes) north to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park entrance. The best route leaves the park through the East Entrance on Desert View Drive, drops to the Little Colorado River at Cameron, then follows US-160 east through Tuba City to Kayenta. Here is the route, the stops worth your time, and how to plan the day.
- Distance: about 155 miles, Grand Canyon Village to Kayenta; 180 miles to the Monument Valley entrance
- Drive time: about 3 hours without stops; plan 4 to 5 hours with Desert View, Cameron, and photo stops
- Route: Desert View Drive (AZ-64) east, AZ-64 to Cameron, US-89 north 16 miles, US-160 east to Kayenta, US-163 north to the park
- Fuel: Desert View (seasonal), Cameron, Tuba City, Kayenta. Do not count on anything in between
- Time zone: Grand Canyon stays on Mountain Standard Time; the Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time, so in summer your clock jumps one hour ahead after Cameron
- Where to stay: Wetherill Inn in Kayenta, 25 miles (30 minutes) from the park entrance
Last updated: September 1, 2026. Distances and times are approximate; confirm road conditions at nps.gov/grca and az511.gov before you leave.
Which route should you take from the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley?
There are two practical options, and one of them is clearly better for most travelers.
Desert View Drive via Cameron (recommended). From Grand Canyon Village, head east on Desert View Drive for 25 miles along the rim, exit at the East Entrance, and continue on AZ-64 down to Cameron on US-89. Turn north for 16 miles, then east on US-160 for about 80 miles to Kayenta. It is the shortest way, it keeps you on the rim for the first hour, and every stop below sits directly on the route.
Via Page and Antelope Canyon (the long way). From Cameron, stay on US-89 north to Page, then take AZ-98 east to US-160 and on to Kayenta. It adds roughly 75 miles and a good hour of driving, but it lets you fit in Horseshoe Bend and a booked Antelope Canyon tour. Only choose this if you have a tour reservation and are prepared to reach Kayenta after dark. Otherwise save Page for a day trip; our 2 day Monument Valley plan shows how.
Stops worth making, in order
1. Desert View Watchtower (mile 25)
The 70-foot stone tower designed by Mary Colter in 1932 marks the eastern end of the developed South Rim. The view here takes in the bend of the Colorado River and the Painted Desert beyond, which is a very different canyon than the one at Mather Point. Restrooms, a general store, and seasonal fuel make it the natural last stop inside the park. Check current hours and services on the NPS site, since operations inside the park have been reduced since the August 2026 flooding; our Grand Canyon closure update has the details.
2. Little Colorado River Gorge overlook (about mile 45)
Between the East Entrance and Cameron, AZ-64 passes the Little Colorado River Gorge Navajo Tribal Park. A short walk from the parking area leads to railings above a narrow gorge several hundred feet deep. Navajo artisans sell jewelry and crafts at the overlook; buying here is one of the easiest ways to purchase directly from the maker. A small per-vehicle fee is collected when the booth is staffed.
3. Cameron Trading Post (about mile 57)
Just north of the AZ-64 and US-89 junction, Cameron Trading Post has served travelers since 1916. The restaurant’s Navajo taco is the classic order, the gallery is worth a look even if you do not buy, and the gardens make a pleasant leg stretch. This is also the last reliable fuel and restroom stop before Tuba City.
4. Tuba City (about mile 83)
Ten miles east of US-89 on US-160, Tuba City is the largest community on the western Navajo Nation. The Explore Navajo Interactive Museum and the adjacent Navajo Code Talkers exhibit make a strong 45-minute stop, and there are several fast-food and local options if you are hungry. Look for the signed dinosaur tracks at Moenave, just west of town on US-160, where local guides will point out the trackways for a tip.
5. Elephant Feet and the open road (miles 100 to 150)
East of Tuba City, US-160 crosses high desert with long views toward Black Mesa. The two sandstone pillars known as Elephant Feet stand right beside the highway near Tonalea, an easy roadside photo. About 20 miles before Kayenta you pass the AZ-564 turnoff to Navajo National Monument, a free NPS site with cliff dwelling overlooks. It is a 30-minute detour each way, so most people save it for the next morning.
6. Kayenta and the final 25 miles
Kayenta is where US-160 meets US-163, and it is the last full-service town before the park: gas, groceries, restaurants, and hotels. From here, US-163 runs 25 miles north to the Monument Valley turnoff, with Agathla Peak rising 1,500 feet beside the road on the way. Aim to arrive with time to spare before the last entry for the scenic loop, or check in first and drive up for sunset; see our Monument Valley hours guide for the current cutoff.
How to time the day
- Leave the South Rim by 9:00am. That gets you to Cameron for an early lunch, Tuba City mid-afternoon, and Kayenta with daylight left.
- Watch the clock change. In daylight saving months, Navajo Nation time is one hour ahead of Grand Canyon time. If you leave the rim at 9:00am, it is already 10:00am in Kayenta. This matters for tour pickups and park entry times; our time zone guide explains the trap.
- Fill up at Cameron or Tuba City. Distances between services are long and there is no fuel on US-160 between Tuba City and Kayenta that you should rely on.
- Monsoon season (July to September): afternoon storms can drop visibility to nothing and flood dips in the highway. Pull over and wait; never drive through running water.
- Cell service is spotty for long stretches of US-160. Download maps before you leave the rim.
What to do once you arrive
If you reach Kayenta by mid-afternoon, you have two good options. Drive the 17-mile scenic loop yourself before the last-entry cutoff and stay for sunset at the visitor center overlook, or book a Navajo-guided sunset tour, which reaches areas closed to private vehicles. Entry is $10 per person and the national park pass is not accepted; details in our entrance fee guide. After dark, the valley has some of the darkest skies in the country; our stargazing guide lists the best spots.
Overnight in Kayenta, 30 Minutes From the Gate
Wetherill Inn sits on Kayenta’s Main Street at the end of this drive, with an indoor pool, complimentary breakfast, free WiFi, and rooms 25 miles (30 minutes) from the Monument Valley entrance. See rooms, check availability, or call 928-697-3231.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley?
About 3 hours of driving from Grand Canyon Village to Kayenta, plus 30 minutes more to the park entrance. With stops at Desert View, the Little Colorado River Gorge, and Cameron, plan on 4 to 5 hours door to door.
Can you do the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley in one day?
You can drive between them in one day and catch Monument Valley at sunset, but you will not have time for the scenic loop or a tour. Staying overnight in Kayenta gives you a full day in the valley without the rush.
Is the Desert View Drive route open?
Desert View Drive and the East Entrance normally stay open year-round. Since the August 2026 flooding the park has operated under water restrictions and reduced services, so check the current conditions page at nps.gov/grca on the morning you leave.
Where should you stop for gas between the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley?
Cameron and Tuba City are the reliable fuel stops, with seasonal fuel at Desert View inside the park. Fill up before the 80-mile run on US-160 to Kayenta, where there are several stations.
Which town is the best base for Monument Valley after the drive?
Kayenta, 25 miles from the park entrance, is the closest town with full services. Our where to stay comparison weighs Kayenta against Goulding’s and the in-park hotel.