Datil Well NM to Tucson AZ routing suggestions

12 will be a bit twisty also.

my experience & opinion is that the 60 route and the 180/191 route are close to equal in miles, time, scenery. 60 has the advantage of keeping you off I10, if you see that as an advantage.
In April, I'd be concerned with high winds on either route. Some days/weeks in April we have 40 MPH winds in this area; as long as you can wait it out a few days in a safe spot, its not a big deal. But I don't enjoy pulling a big rig on those roads when you add the buffeting of anything over 30 MPH.

60 is not an issue as we drove it with our truck and triler 2 years ago. Only thing is the possibility of late snow in the mountains particularly if you take 260. but 60 will be your best bet, long pull out of the salt river but you should have no issues. take 77 out of globe and you will end up north of tucson and can take tangerine rd over to I10 and then to picture rocks area.

Your alternate rte is all secondary small roads and could be subject to year end storms also.

60 is good road and scenic

191 between Alpine and I-10 is very twisty, very scenic.

60 to Datil and down 180 is fine, but as you noted, a longer way to go and not worth it, scenery wise.

there are some gov. campgrounds along 60 in NM and are marked better these days.

going down 191 is an experience. you will go through Morenci and see one of the really huge copper mines. We have not been that way in several years because our rig is not allowed on the route.

I believe I'd choose to go NM 12 to US 180 to I-10 at Deming.

A few years ago we drove NM 12 & it was a good road at that time. Not that twisting from what I remember.

It seems to a little closer that route: 313 miles compared to 328 miles via US-60 W and AZ-77 S.

It's fairly scenic as well along NM 12 & much of US 180.

South of Silver City is City of Rocks State Park, a neat place to see & would make a nice overnight stop.

What ever you choose, check the weather before driving to see how the road are at that time. Could be the Wind and/or Snow in the higher elevations at that time of the year.

Hwy 60 to Springerville to Show Low to Globe to SR77 to I-10 is 324 miles. If you watch the weather forecast when you leave Datil it's a beautiful drive.

Also, it's a lot easier drive than Hwy 12.

NM 180 South from Alpine very scenic and easy for you rig, downhill all the way. Mule Pass Hwy 78 a little white knuckle East to West, but 22' no problem. We pull 37' 5er and need exhaust brake at crest down to four way stop at 191 and 78 highways. Road to Safford great! I-10 from Willcox to Tucson can be pretty windy at times in the Spring. Picture Rocks is on NW side of Tucson. West side of Picture Rocks Rd can be tricky with many bicyclists training for spring races in early am. Everyone should do AZ 191 South from Alpine to Morenci once in their lifetime as is is very scenic, but the old "666" is slow (35mph) and I would never pull a trailer on it. Salt River canyon would not be on my bucket list to tow a trailer, but we know many who do without problems. NM 180 to Silver City no problem and a fun town to explore for a few days. Hope that helps. Have a great time!

Thanks for all the feedback. I drove out to my buddies place in 2013 but a week later in April and a different route through NM...Portales to visit an internet friend then down to Roswell, Ruidoso, Alamogordo then on west on I10. I plan to camp at Datil Well. I will get there early in the day and can unload my dual sport motorcycle and go gawk at the large array. I might get some pie in Pie Town.
Google street view and maps is great but it's always nice to talk to people that have been on the route in the past few years.