Chinle is in the northeastern corner of Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. The nearest town with a commercial airport is Gallup, New Mexico (about 120 kilometres southeast), and the nearest major airport is in Albuquerque, New Mexico (about four hours by road). Most visitors come by car — there is no public transport to Chinle.
From Flagstaff, the drive northeast on US-89 and US-160 takes about three and a half hours. From Albuquerque, take I-40 west to Gallup, then US-491 north and US-64 west. The roads across the Navajo Nation are well-maintained two-lane highways, mostly empty, and the scenery en route is remarkable. Fill your tank before arriving — fuel in Chinle is available but can be expensive.