Driving from Denver to LA in January

[mrbeverlyhills]

Looking for a little insight on a trip early next year. I hope to be picking up a car in Denver area and driving it back to LA.
I'm thinking that a southern route coming in via AZ would be better; it is a M3 with summer tires so no Rocky Mountain High.
Any decent places you guys have stayed overnight, must see scenery?
Thanks in advance

[look 171]

I think once you get past northern New Mexico, you should smooth sailing. Its getting to NM you may encounter some weather. The 40 around flagstaff and the higher elevation in AZ may present a little issue. Getting more south to the 10 may be a better route?

[speeder]

I've done that exact drive several times and my only advice is to head due south to Albuquerque and really watch the weather forecasts before starting the drive. Flagstaff can get a lot of snow this time of year.

Your first day of driving should put you somewhere in AZ. so just stay in whatever Motel 6 that presents itself when you get drowsy. That's how I do it.

[mrbeverlyhills]

Thanks, great info, I am taking the bride so may have to research something better than Motel 6 although, she is a trooper, camping for her is when the hotel doesn't put a mint on the pillow.

Spent much of my life driving in The Alps, GB, DE, IT, used to poor conditions but not in a strange car; 1995 BMW M3.

[Scott Douglas]

I went the opposite way back in summer of '15. Heat was the problem back then.
Plan you gas stops as getting caught out in freezing temps because of an empty tank can ruin your day.

[mrbeverlyhills]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I went the opposite way back in summer of '15. Heat was the problem back then.
Plan you gas stops as getting caught out in freezing temps because of an empty tank can ruin your day.

You have a brother Matt?

[Seahawk]

It is all about the weather.

If the weather is good and you trust the car, head south to Socorro, NM, about 8 hours south of Denver.

Stay in Socorro. Lots of hotels. Dirty little town but it is a great jumping off point.

Then head west on route 60 to Phoenix (or 60 to Show Low then Rte 260 to Payson then 87 to Phoenix).

I have done these drives many times and cannot recommend them more highly, especially in an M3, simply beautiful.

Average highs in January in the high 40's.

Again, all weather dependent.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by mrbeverlyhills

Thanks, great info, I am taking the bride so may have to research something better than Motel 6 although, she is a trooper, camping for her is when the hotel doesn't put a mint on the pillow.

Spent much of my life driving in The Alps, GB, DE, IT, used to poor conditions but not in a strange car; 1995 BMW M3.

OK, then upgrade to Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express, I guess. They don't have any Ritz Carltons out on the interstate in the USA.

I actually hate staying in motels but all I care about is clean and quiet. I stayed in some very nice Motel 6 in Wyoming and Colorado on a recent drive.

[mrbeverlyhills]

Originally Posted by speeder

OK, than upgrade to Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express, I guess. They don't have any Ritz Carltons out on the interstate in the USA.

I actually hate staying in motels but all I care about is clean and quiet. I stayed in some very nice Motel 6 in Wyoming and Colorado on a recent drive.

Motel 6 is totally fine, we stay in them all the time, but I don't many chances to share my mint on the pillow joke.....

[mrbeverlyhills]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

It is all about the weather.

If the weather is good and you trust the car, head south to Socorro, NM, about 8 hours south of Denver.

Stay in Socorro. Lots of hotels. Dirty little town but it is a great jumping off point.

Then head west on route 60 to Phoenix (or 60 to Show Low then Rte 260 to Payson then 87 to Phoenix).

I have done these drives many times and cannot recommend them more highly, especially in an M3, simply beautiful.

Average highs in January in the high 40's.

Again, all weather dependent.

Outstanding, thank you, that is now the plan. Seller has to get the car gone by 1/15 so I will check weather and see if we can squeeze in a day of sunshine to head south, many thanks for the help.

[911boost]

If the weather looks bad and you need a place to store it for a bit, send me a PM.

[mrbeverlyhills]

^^^ That is extremely kind a gracious of you, if it comes to it, I will and thank you!

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by mrbeverlyhills

You have a brother Matt?

I have a brother but his name isn't Matt.

[mrbeverlyhills]

I know a Matt and Scott Douglas in the OC, thought it was you. Best,

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by mrbeverlyhills

Motel 6 is totally fine, we stay in them all the time, but I don't many chances to share my mint on the pillow joke.....

I have also stayed at motel 6 several times with no problem... but... my wife drove from L.A. to Medford OR., drove to the wee hours and stopped off at a motel 6 on I5. She was so tired she left her suitcase in the car, went to the room and crawled into bed. When she woke up she was covered in bed bug bites.

[tevake]

Have a look at highway 50 just south of Co Springs. Go through Canyon City west to highway 17 south to N M.

Then Pauls suggestion of goin on south to Highway 60 is a good one unless there is a lot of snow at the time. Driving past the VLA is cool, then plan to stop in Pietown at the Pieoneer restaurant for some great pie. Check out the collection of windmills next door too. Some great driving roads on that route.

If you end up heading west on I 40. Williams has some nice Route 66 nostalgic places in downtown. And the Grand Canyon railway hotel seems pretty nice.
Then a stop in Kingman for lunch at Dee's Dinner for some more Route 66 nostalgia.

Cheers Richard

[Gogar]

Before you start, check the weather in

Raton, NM and
Flagstaff, AZ.

If everything's ok then start early on I25 South and eat lunch with the Mrs. in Santa Fe.

Turn west on I40 and spend the night in Gallup. There's plenty of $100 tier hotels in Gallup. I would book one in advance though.

Next day through Flagstaff in the AM and to Barstow for the night, or Las Vegas if you want to make a thing out of it.

That's about 550 miles a day for the first two days.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Before you start, check the weather in

Raton, NM and
Flagstaff, AZ.

If everything's ok then start early on I25 South and eat lunch with the Mrs. in Santa Fe.

Turn west on I40 and spend the night in Gallup. There's plenty of $100 tier hotels in Gallup. I would book one in advance though.

Next day through Flagstaff in the AM and to Barstow for the night, or Las Vegas if you want to make a thing out of it.

That's about 550 miles a day for the first two days.

That’s turning it into a long drive. I book it through the boring parts and slow down for the scenery.

[mrbeverlyhills]

Originally Posted by speeder

That’s turning it into a long drive. I book it through the boring parts and slow down for the scenery.

Can you delete the post with my link?

[speeder]

I did.