Flag Staff to South Rim

We took 180 back in 2011 and it was a nice drive up to the canyon. Our main reason going that way was so the DW could stop at a Michael's on the way but the drive through the San Francisco Peaks was very nice. Some pictures of the trip are available on that blog entry. That 8% grade was really of no consequence!

All three roads are scenic and great - AZ 64, US 180 and I 40.

Ernest wrote:
Are there any pro/con's of US 180 vs I-40 going from Flag Staff to South Rim?

I-40 doesn't go to the South Rim. US 180 does. Not clear what you're asking.

I agree, 180 is a nice drive once you get north of town. If you don't mind driving through Flagstaff to get to it, I can't think of any con. Picture #12 on accsys's blog is right in town. That's the railroad bridge you must drive under. Check the height sign in the pic. Just after driving under that bridge, you curve to the right, then literally a half block you need to make a left turn. So I suggest being in the left lane as you approach that bridge. After this left turn, you will drive several blocks then make another left turn to follow 180.

Thom02099....Both Hwy 180 and I-40 out of Flagstaff can be taken to Hwy 64 north to Grand Canyon South Rim.

I remember this girl in college, she really knew how to go from the flag staff to the south rim. She was real careful and took her time with all the curves and always pumped the brakes when she started going down too fast. Safety first!

That was the best ride this old mule ever took to get to the grandest canyon I ever stopped to get a bite to eat at.

Thom02099 wrote:

Ernest wrote:
Are there any pro/con's of US 180 vs I-40 going from Flag Staff to South Rim?

I-40 doesn't go to the South Rim. US 180 does. Not clear what you're asking.

Well just for you it's I-40 W then AZ 64 N vs I 180. Two legs of the triangle vs the hypotenuse. 8 miles difference but only 3 minutes.

Thanks to everyone else for their insight.

I would do 89 to 64and then along the rim to Grand Canyon village. Native American crafts for sale along the route

Ernest wrote:

Thom02099 wrote:

Ernest wrote:
Are there any pro/con's of US 180 vs I-40 going from Flag Staff to South Rim?

I-40 doesn't go to the South Rim. US 180 does. Not clear what you're asking.

Well just for you it's I-40 W then AZ 64 N vs I 180. Two legs of the triangle vs the hypotenuse. 8 miles difference but only 3 minutes.

Thanks to everyone else for their insight.

Thanks for clarifying :D

So it's a question of AZ 64 vs US 180. And seems like you've answered your own question. ;)

Thom02099 wrote:
So it's a question of AZ 64 vs US 180. And seems like you've answered your own question. ;)

No, it's a question of I-40 to AZ-64 or US-180 to AZ-64 a little farther north. Look at the map. The OP wanted to know whether to take US-180 to AZ-64 or I-40 to AZ-64, both from Flagstaff. US-180 is shorter but takes about the same length of time. It does have better views than I-40 in our opinion.

Ernest...Are you driving the MH and toad to the GC? (which is what I assumed.) Or are you asking just for a day trip in your toad to the GC? If just in the toad, then I would do as darsben1 suggests. Enter the east gate (89 northeast from Flagstaff to 64) and exit the south gate back to Flagstaff (or wherever you are staying). But I would not bother going in the east gate with the MH if you are staying at the GC and can do the eastern road viewpoints, etc. in your toad.