Monument Valley by EV
A Scenic Drive Across the Great American Electric Highway
After three days of EV adventures using Page, Arizona as our basecamp, it was time to begin another day exploring the diverse Arizona landscape.
The morning found us charging at the Page Circle K before rolling along Arizona Highway 98, passing the turnoffs for Antelope Canyon and enjoying the highway's constant rhythm of climbs and descents.
Before long, Highway 98 intersected with US Highway 160, leading us across the broad landscapes of northeastern Arizona. At Kayenta, we turned north onto US Highway 163 and entered a world of mesas, desert valleys, and high-desert scenery.
Be sure to leave Page with a full battery. Charging infrastructure remains sparse across this remote section of Arizona and Utah, and the ChargePoint fast chargers in Bluff are among the most important charging stops along the route.
Our destination was Monument Valley, a place forever linked to classic Western films, John Wayne, and one of the most memorable scenes from Forrest Gump.
Beyond Monument Valley, we hoped to continue to Canyon de Chelly before eventually reaching Holbrook for the night.
Looking back, we had packed a bit too much into the day, but on a clear spring morning with Monument Valley ahead of us, that hardly seemed to matter.
Time to Regen: SightSeeEV.com may earn a small commission if you buy through Amazon or other affiliate links - at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we trust and use ourselves. Thanks for helping fuel our EV adventures!⚡️
The Drive You've Seen on the Big Screen
Few places capture the imagination quite like Monument Valley, and as the buttes began appearing on the horizon, it was easy to understand why.
Even travelers who have never visited can recognize the towering sandstone formations rising from the desert floor.
The landscape has appeared in films for more than a century, from The Vanishing American in 1925 to John Ford classics such as Stagecoach and The Searchers.
Today, visitors can experience those same views along the route between Kayenta, Arizona, and Mexican Hat, Utah.
Whether traveling by gasoline or electricity, preparation matters. Services are limited, distances can be deceptive, and opportunities to refuel or recharge are far less common than most travelers expect.
As beautiful as Monument Valley is, we unintentionally shortchanged ourselves by trying to fit too much into a single day.
Amp’d Advice: Wear proper walking shoes (not open toe footwear) — I've spent more than 10 years tackling day hikes and multi-day backpacking trips in Merrell Moab boots, a testament to their comfort and durability on the trail, in town or the desert floor.
Even from the road, Monument Valley feels larger than life. Massive buttes stand against a brilliant blue sky while distant mesas stretch toward the horizon. Every bend in the highway seems to reveal another reason to pull over.
Rather than searching for a restaurant, we followed one of our favorite road-trip traditions and packed lunch in a cooler.
When our stomachs called, we pulled into a quiet ranch driveway with a view toward Mexican Hat and enjoyed turkey sandwiches, pretzels, and apples.
Now that I know what to expect, next time I'd dedicate an entire day to Monument Valley. The valley deserves much more than a drive-through visit.
On a future trip, I'd like to take a guided tour that ventures deeper into the monuments and offers perspectives impossible to experience from the highway alone.
Eventually, the famous buttes faded into the distance as we crossed into Utah.
The miles beyond proved every bit as memorable, but by early afternoon, another priority was waiting for us in Bluff.
Charging an EV in Bluff, Utah
HEY!! Driving across Monument Valley can be a challenge, but don’t let it prevent you from making the drive. Some planning and taking the correct gear to make your day comfortable will result in a lifetime memory.
Just remember to always come prepared with outdoor essentials.
The 32 Items we always carry in our EV.
Bluff serves as an important stop for EV travelers crossing this remote corner of the Southwest. Before focusing on charging, however, another need quickly came to a head.
After making a beeline for the only open gas station restroom, we found ourselves waiting nearly ten minutes outside the door.
Eventually, we discovered that the previous occupant had somehow managed to leave with the restroom locked behind them. Until the attendant opened the door, only the flies seemed to be making use of the facilities.
With that situation finally resolved, we headed to Bluff's ChargePoint fast chargers. Situated right along the highway, the charging location is about as straightforward as it gets.
Amenities are nil, shade is practically nonexistent, and there isn't much nearby to occupy your time. Bring water, snacks, and be prepared to entertain yourself for a while (we probably should have waited for lunch).
While charging, we enjoyed views of the sandstone bluffs that give the town its name.
With the battery restored to 100 percent state of charge (SOC), we turned south onto US Highway 191 toward Chinle.
Our visit to Canyon de Chelly National Monument was much too brief and deserves a story of its own, but it provided a fascinating contrast to the open spaces of Monument Valley.
The final challenge of the day was reaching Holbrook. With careful energy management and a healthy respect for the remaining miles, we successfully rolled into the Rivian Adventure Network charging station.
As the battery recharged, we reflected on another successful day of EV exploration and looked ahead to Petrified Forest National Park the following morning.
Every EV trip starts with PlugShare to research destinations and charging options
Our mantra is simple: we design our route - because adventure shouldn’t be outsourced to a GPS.
Once we pick a destination, I dive into PlugShare for charger intel while Cheryl brings the magic by charting each stop on our paper atlas, giving us a colorful, big‑picture snapshot of the journey.
That blend of EV tech and old‑school wanderlust keeps our planning smooth, colorful, and unmistakably SightSee EV. Check out the full article to see how this combo keeps our road trips smooth and fun!
Bird’s-Eye Review: Reflections from the Great American Electric Highway
Mexican Hat, Utah
Some travel days are packed with activities. Others are defined by the journey itself. This was very much a driving day.
From the rolling hills outside Page to the monuments along US Highway 163, every mile offered something different.
Monument Valley more than lived up to its legendary reputation, even though much of our experience came through the windshield.
Just as memorable were the miles between the famous destinations, where Arizona and Utah reminded us why the Southwest is one of America's great road-tripping regions.
For EV travelers, this route requires a bit of planning as the charging infrastructure remains limited, making a full charge in Page and a strategic stop in Bluff important parts of a successful trip.
The good news is that with reasonable preparation, the route is entirely manageable.
Looking back, the day delivered everything we enjoy most about electric road trips: remarkable scenery, a few unexpected adventures, quiet highways, and the satisfaction of successfully navigating one of the most remote corners of the American Southwest.
Monument Valley may be famous for its cinematic history, but from behind the wheel of an EV, it felt like something even more memorable: another spectacular stretch of the Great American Electric Highway.
John's mission is to help readers see that electric vehicles are simply cars powered by a different energy source, capable of taking us anywhere we want to go.
His favorite way to share that message? Road-tripping along the Great American Electric Highway, where every mile offers an opportunity to visit family, reconnect with friends, and discover America's scenic beauty.
EV Basics
EV Charging
Essential Items
EV Road Trip Planning
After buying an electric car, the most important steps are learning how to charge at home, becoming familiar with public charging stations, understanding how weather affects range, improving driving efficiency, and gradually taking longer trips. These skills help new EV owners build confidence and enjoy their vehicle's full capabilities.