Road Trip Advice from PPOT

[daepp]

Greetings!

Early next month my daughter, along with my three grandsons, plan to depart Albuquerque NM (where they're visiting friends) headed for Scottsdale AZ and then ultimately So Cal. While I've driven the 40 it's entire length several times, and the same for the 10, I've never driven south off the 40 - other than going through Flagstaff.



Above you can see you can exit the 40 near the Petrified NF onto the 77, then 377, then 277 then 87 into Scottsdale. BUT - just because I see it on a map doesn't mean my daughter and her 3 boys under 4 should take that route.

So I turn to the BrainTrust for input. If anyone knows this route - or a different or a better route - I'd appreciate your real-world input!

TIA,

David Epp

[Cajundaddy]

It is a winding road through the mountains and that is the route I would take. Top off the gas tank while on I-40 and it should be fine. Several small towns along the way if a stop is needed.

[KNS]

Go South of ABQ down to HWY 60 which will take you past the VLA (Very Large Array), through Show Low and the Salt River Canyon. Beautiful rugged scenery that will take you to the Mesa/PHX area. I'd take this any day over I40 (I lived in AZ many years and know the state well).

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by KNS

Go South of ABQ down to HWY 60 which will take you past the VLA (Very Large Array), through Show Low and the Salt River Canyon. Beautiful rugged scenery that will take you to the Mesa/PHX area. I'd take this any day over I40 (I lived in AZ many years and know the state well).

Highway 60 is a lonely almost straight road.



No trucks at all. And not much traffic.

[KNS]

^^
There's straight sections but also some beautiful canyons and mountainous terrain. Certainly more interesting than I40. And it won't be clogged with tractor/trailer traffic.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by KNS

^^
There's straight sections but also some beautiful canyons and mountainous terrain. Certainly more interesting than I40. And it won't be clogged with tractor/trailer traffic.

I have done Hwy 60 many times.

At Springerville, go south to Eagar and take Hwy 260 to Show Low. Longer but enjoyable.

At Show Low, your call

[KNS]

^^

Hwy 260 is also great option and a bit more forested. It'll take you through Payson and a straight shot down eventually to Scottsdale. Beautiful scenery on 260 (probably better than Hwy 60) but will take a bit longer.

[stevej37]

I've taken that route thru the salt river canyon a couple times....it is a great drive.

[Tobra]

Heading West on some of those roads can be rough as the sun sets

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by KNS

Go South of ABQ down to HWY 60 which will take you past the VLA (Very Large Array), through Show Low and the Salt River Canyon. Beautiful rugged scenery that will take you to the Mesa/PHX area. I'd take this any day over I40 (I lived in AZ many years and know the state well).

This! I hate driving on I40, it is so dangerous these days with the amount of truck traffic it has. The road surface especially in NM is terrible as well.

[Brian 162]

We took that route last year when we went to Scottsdale. I didn’t like it, there were a couple of narrow roads and if you really need your gps. It was scenic in some parts.
When I was heading back home I went up I-17 to I-40 east. It took a little longer but was worth it in my opinion

[Arizona_928]

I’ve taken that road more times than i can count and I hate it. Caveat is that i have acreage up around that part of Arizona and know it every well.

Why not to take it? Heavy two lane truck traffic from holbrook down to Heber and payson down to Phoenix. This is the major bypass route for trucks to Phoenix as the other route adds 40 minutes and that’s from flagstaff down. The speed limit is 55, patrolled heavily and imho warranted for the road hazards. Since the speed limit is 55, people dangerously speed around you. Holbrook down to payson is full of elk and deer. Driving at night is hazardous with the game on the road. There’s no good places to stop until you get to payson. And my favorit…. weekend traffic of people getting off the rim to go back to Phoenix.

[daepp]

Guys - you're a wealth of information. I knew someone here would know the route, and PPOT did NOT let me down!

Thank you!

[daepp]

Guys - you're a wealth of information. I knew someone here would know the route, and PPOT did NOT let me down!

Thank you!