Albuquerque to Phoenix

There are grades just as steep as the Salt River Canyon on highway 87 between Payson and Phoenix, and the grade down into Payson is steeper than you will find in the Canyon. Myself, I do not mind the Canyon, the grades are around 7 percent. I always take route 117 just east of Grants, down to 36, then to 60 then straight into Phoenix.

If you don't like steep grades just continue on I-40 to Flagstaff then south to Phoenix. All freeway

This is not the time of year to take that route. Last week brought snow to the higher elevations. At this time of year pulling a 5th wheel, the freeways will be safer.

Don & Carolyn wrote:
This is not the time of year to take that route. Last week brought snow to the higher elevations. At this time of year pulling a 5th wheel, the freeways will be safer.

No sir - the storms are long gone and those roads will be clear by the time the OP comes down. The grades/highways are nothing to worry about. Nice wide roads with lots of passing lanes or 4 lanes - esp. from Payson into Phx./Mesa.

The highway from west of Heber and south to Payson and on to Phoenix has several downhill grades but most are 4 lane divided and all good road. However, like I-40 its all high elevation and prone to heavy snows and closures. Watch the weather before traveling this area.

Flagstaff can get feet of snow. If you check weather.com and find feet of snow, avoid both routes. At least check them. You might be best off taking I25 south to I10, and going the really long way around, especially if you wanted to see Tucson anyway.

It all depends on the snow depth. If you don't mind a little snow, then any route will be fine. If the weather is clear, then either route will be fine. If there is snow in Flagstaff, check Payson, and it might have much less. Also check going to I10, it might be totally clear, as the highest elevations are
around 5,500' but near the Mexico border, so much further south.

Have fun!

Fred.

crabbin cabin wrote:

Don & Carolyn wrote:
This is not the time of year to take that route. Last week brought snow to the higher elevations. At this time of year pulling a 5th wheel, the freeways will be safer.

No sir - the storms are long gone and those roads will be clear by the time the OP comes down. The grades/highways are nothing to worry about. Nice wide roads with lots of passing lanes or 4 lanes - esp. from Payson into Phx./Mesa.

As long as the grades aren't twisty with cliffs I don't mind too much. With the Ford I can just lock out gears and let the exhaust brake assist with the occasional dab of the brakes. Only have about 1500 miles towing the new 5th wheel and didn't want to give myself a heart attack just yet. We'll be getting into the Phoenix area late next week, not sure if this latest storm will bring snow to the area or not, have to keep an eye on the weather.

Would love to avoid going around through Tucson, did that when we left last summer and always like exploring new routes.

Ah, come back thru Tucson! :-) Our weather is great.

I really don't think even Salt River Canyon is that bad. Yes, curves well guard railed but not a bunch of hairpin sheer dropoffs.

Weather will be weather. Good news and bad news in total but going thru Flagstaff will be much higher and longer but you will be on interstate. If the weather is good I would say go the 377.

Lauren wrote:
Ah, come back thru Tucson! :-) Our weather is great.

I really don't think even Salt River Canyon is that bad. Yes, curves well guard railed but not a bunch of hairpin sheer dropoffs.

Weather will be weather. Good news and bad news in total but going thru Flagstaff will be much higher and longer but you will be on interstate. If the weather is good I would say go the 377.

So the last time I drove the Salt River Canyon was about 16 years ago. I'm trying to remember how it compares to some of the passes on I-70 in Colorado, they are much more recent memories for comparison sake. I assume semi's go down Salt River Canyon all the time?

Salt River Canyon is an excellent drive and if you're satisfied with your exhaust brake you're good to go. Yes, semis drive it. If you take 260 your only concern would be weather - watch it closely. Right now the area is good.