Best route Gallup NM to Page Arizona

Another vote for 264. It is a road unique in America. And in the event of a breakdown, the native folks there can likely fix about anything!

kamperkomic wrote:
I'm planning a trip from Texas to Page Arizona. Google Maps wants to direct me to take US 191 to US 160 to state hwy 98. A longer route would be to take I40 to flagstaff then take US 89 north to Page. I have concerns about taking the shorter route on an isolated highway. Worried about vehicle breakdowns and the ability to get help. The route along I40 is about 50 miles longer, but has more traffic. I'll shut up and listen to your thoughts. Thanks

If you take the 191/160/98 route, be aware of where the fuel is. There's fuel in Kayenta, at the junction of 160/98, and in Kaibeto, although it's off the road in the town itself. All have gas and diesel. I did the 160/98 portion a couple of years back, it's desolate, and I made sure to have a full tank of diesel at Kayenta. Cell service (Verizon) was spotty, not available for a goodly portion of the route.

Usually Google routes (and GPS as well) rank results by minimum time. But that time depends on the speeds assigned to each segment.

But GM shows both time and distance, and suggests several alternatives. It is also easy to tweak a route. And use Streetview to judge the road condition. So you can judge whether a 30 minute time savings is realistic and/or worth it.

RoyF wrote:
But (if you wanted to try it) Hwy 264 through First Mesa to Tuba City has some nice scenery.

That would be my preferred leisurely route. :)

For the life of me, I could never figure out what rational reason Google has to send people up 191 to 160 and not direct on 264. For that matter even if they went up 191, you would think jumping on Indian Road 59 at Many Farms would still be better as it cuts off 50 miles from what Google uses. To me, sending them up 191 to 160 is like going from Houston to Dallas via San Antonio!

89 isn't exactly in the middle of civilization either. I see that Google Maps directs you off 89 on to Indian 20 (at the Gap Gas Station). Ignore that and stick with 89.

Several years ago there was a major landslide on 89, north of the 89A turn off, where it climbs a bluff. The initial detour took 160 to 98. 20 (a dirt track) was paved to give a shorter detour.

The Flagstaff route is 50 miles more, but only 30 minutes, so GM must be using a slightly higher speed limit, mainly for the I40 stretch.

An alternative that GM gives use 264. That's across the middle of the Navajo reservation, and past the Hopi mesas. There are a number of touristy stops on this way

191 north is also well settled (for Navajos). 59 is probably more remote. 160 is along the major route from Utah to Flagstaff, past Monument Valley and relatively big town of Kayenta.

Did I mention that 89 has a major grade, near the Grand Canyon Vista on the Google Maps? Look at it with Streetview.

“Hwy 264 through First Mesa to Tuba City has some nice scenery.“

You bet it does! Dinétah is all beautiful.

Some of us are adventurous travelers, others are not so much. I say that if you would not enjoy the "road less traveled" then don't take it. You are supposed to enjoy a trip (unless you are getting paid!). There will be plenty of traffic on US 89.

I don't anything about the condition of your vehicle--maybe there is reason for concern. But (if you wanted to try it) Hwy 264 through First Mesa to Tuba City has some nice scenery.

“I have concerns about taking the shorter route on an isolated highway. Worried about vehicle breakdowns and the ability to get help.”

250 miles. OK but I take every isolated highway I can. If I was to breakdown on an Interstate that isn’t where I’d want to be. Cars and trucks passing you at 75-80 mph.