AZ highway route choice?

"Benchmark Atlases are excellent aren't they?"
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Yes, they are; I much prefer them to the DeLorme. With the exception of Nevada, I have the 'set', as well as the paper road maps they offer; all are pretty well-used! :)

Thanks to all again for the information and advice; much appreciated!

JT wrote:
The object is to get to the Sedona area from I-10 in Phoenix. One set of driving directions says to take AZ 101 off I-10, then catch I-17; the other says to take I-10 to I-17.

I can't find a reason for the discrepancy; is one route less trafficked, shorter, easier access, better road surface, whatever?

Thanks for any information!

Yes, take 101

Suggest that from Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood that you not take Alt 89 through Jerome. It's extremely narrow, steep, winding.

You could go a couple ways if you're heading to Hwy 60.

1) From Cottonwood take 260 back to Camp Verde and I-17 and pick up 169 into Prescott. From Prescott take the road through Iron Springs/Skull Valley (not sure of the name at present - check a map - although it might just be called Skull Valley Rd.). You'll end at Kirkland Junction on 89 and will then go through Congress to Hwy 71 to 60 and to I-10. (Hwy 89 from Prescott to Kirkland Junction is again, steep and winding.) We've driven the alternate route just mentioned numerous times and it's much better in an RV than 89.

OR 2) Cottonwood to 260 to I-17 at Camp Verde south to Hwy 74 (Lake Pleasant area) to Wickenburg and then pick up Hwy 60 to I-10.

Benchmark Atlases are excellent aren't they?

Thanks to all who have replied and generously shared their suggestions. I will check the AZ DOT site before the trip, but it looks like taking 101 off 10 up to 17 - I will be heading east from CA - is the better option. (The return route will be over 89>71>60>10. :D )

I use paper maps from AAA, Rand McNally and Benchmark Atlases, and Google maps for advance planning; on the road, I use the same tools plus an iPad for access to whatever 'on web' information I might need, so I think I'm good to go!

Many have recommended Deadhorse Ranch as the place to stay, so that's my choice as a base.

Thanks again!

JT wrote:
.... I just thought there might be a specific reason why one route would be recommended over the other. IOW, maybe one of the mapping programs has more current highway data?

Most of these programs give you the 'fastest route'. If you choose 'shortest route', they probably will give you the same optimum - unless one chooses to use some surface street or cow path. But to compute 'fastest' they also have to make speed estimates on different segments.

Sometimes speed estimates are based on traffic data, but more often it is just a function of the road category. Different estimates can produce different times.

But a program like Google Maps gives a couple of a alternatives. It is also easy to modify a recommendation to use another road. Often I find that the differences in time and distance are minor. I really have to go out my way to make big changes, especially on long routes.

Sometimes road construction makes a difference in recommendations. Last time I looked at Phoenix on GM, there was work at the I10/101 intersection. If one program takes into account a newly opened interchange, it might give different times. Usually the best source for up to date road information is the state DOT, their traffic alerts, traffic maps, and webcams.

correction - it is the I10/303 intersection that is currently under construction. 303 is an outer beltway. When done it would give you yet another choice.

2 gypsies said "...If, for instance, you're around Buckeye you could pick up 303 taking you to 74 at Pleasant Lake and then pick up I-17 north. You won't even be near the Phoenix Metro area."

I believe that 303 north bound as suggested is under construction. Therefor stay on I 10 west bound to the 101 and take it north and east to the I 17 north.

You didn't state exactly where/what town you'll be coming from and there could still be better ways toward Sedona. Give us a hint, please. :)

If, for instance, you're around Buckeye you could pick up 303 taking you to 74 at Pleasant Lake and then pick up I-17 north. You won't even be near the Phoenix Metro area.

Also, unless you have definite plans for Sedona, we would highly recommend staying at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in nearby Cottonwood. It's a very easy drive into Sedona and a lot less expensive. There's a lot to do iin the Cottonwood area and you'll see the night lights of old Jerome from your spacious campsite.

Have a good trip and get out one of those old paper maps and look over your possible routes. The mapping programs don't always give you the best way to go especially if you want to see scenery rather than interstates.

There are 2 exits for going north. The 1st is the truck route with hazmat and you encounter it around the airport the mile 153 exit or so. the next is about 5 miles down the road and then winds up on a bypass which is still crowded but a little faster. Actually its a toss up, but the last 2 times up that way we took the 2d exit to 17.

Loop 101 is easily the best route to Sedona when driving east on I-10 entering west-side of Phoenix. Driving west on I-10 entering Phoenix from the south makes I-17 the more direct route to Sedona although Loop 101 can still be used but adds about 10 extra miles to the journey. Enjoy Sedona!!!

Sometimes it is just better to go to Wichita Falls and turn right - the heck with all those mapping programs haha...

I have been on the 101 loop more on the East side of Phoenix but pretty sure it is still a mulit-laned high speed route on the West side of Phoenix. Probably no biggie as taking I17 off of I10 is also a fast non-problem road. Been up I17 many of times from I10...

Flip a coin I guess...

Roy Ken