Best route from Portland, OR to Tucson, AZ

Go over MT Hood on US26. At Madras you pick up US97 south. At LaPine pick up 31 SE toward Lakeview. About 30 miles north of Lakeview you join US395 south. This will put you thru CA for only maybe 70 miles thenmit dips back into NV toward Reno. Depends on how much driving you want to do in one day, there are a couple of overnight stops around Picturerock pass on 31. Otherwise Goose Lake State park is a great overnight stop.

turbopilot51 wrote:
I am looking for some input as to the best route to pull our 40' fiver from Portland to Tucson. I want to avoid California as much as possible.

From Portland, go east to Salt Lake City in Utah then take Hwy. 15 straight to Las Vegas to Tucson. Avoid Calif. all to together:)

Google Maps shows the way, just pick the alternate route that is shorter, faster, and avoids CA using US 95.

Sooo, the OP now has a choice. Freeways with no scenery that gets him there in a hurry or back roads with some interesting scenery. He now can decide how fast or how much fun.

I like this I-84 to Twin Falls to 93 south Phoenix to I-10 south

akrv wrote:
I like this I-84 to Twin Falls to 93 south Phoenix to I-10 south

This is my route. The only significant climb is in Oregon.