From South to North, best route thru Pheonix

We like to take I10 to AZ51 to AZ101 to I17. I also have an alternate from I101/AZ51 via backroads to I17 near Ben Avery(Carefree).

There are many factors that affect traffic in the Phx area, as in all cities....time of day, special events, accidents, construction.

I would just check the traffic at www.az511.com (or call 511) or the Waze app before you leave. Try to leave late morning after the bulk of rush hour(s) traffic. Then go either 202 (or 60) over to 101 all the way to I-17. Or 10/51/101/17 as suggested by swphotobug...or 10/143/202/51/101/17 :)

The 101 in the east valley has several construction spots so it's actually worst than the 10 & 17 right now. Even the 51 interchange with the 101 is bogged down at times. Problem with the 101 is once past the 202, your only alternative if anything happens is the streets to the 17 anyways. My money is on the most direct route. Take the 10 to the 17 and just get it over with. I can't understand the fear so many have with the 10 or the 17, it's an interstate.

If it's scary, travel after 9 pm and before 5 am when you have the roads mostly to yourself. The bulk of the traffic will be staying on the 10 heading to LA. There is nothing wrong with the 10 from Casa Grande to the 17 interchange and the 17 is one long straight road right out of Phoenix.

Now, if you plan on traveling during the weekday, avoid 5am to 10am and again from 3pm to 9pm. If you travel between 10am to 3 pm (plenty of time to traverse all of the metro area), it's smooth sailing. Otherwise, check traffic conditions right before you leave and take the route with the fewest construction delays, the least accidents or where the traffic helicopter guy is reporting a major backup due to some slow RV in the left lane holding up traffic.

10, 17 is likely the "best". 10, 202, 101, 10 is a longer alternative and 101 construction is a non issue. Like everything it's traffic, time and accident dependent.

CA Traveler wrote:
10, 17 is likely the "best". 10, 202, 101, 10 is a longer alternative and 101 construction is a non issue. Like everything it's traffic, time and accident dependent.

If they are concerned about the 10 to the 17, there is no way they will want to deal with the East valley 101 construction. You have lane reduction, lane closures, multiple narrow jogs and rough pavement. The 10 to 17 is just traffic while the 101 through the East valley can be a mess at times.

I do agree there is no rational reason to take the 10 into the West valley to connect with the 101 on that end just to get back to the 17. That's almost 20 miles of completely unnecessary driving not to mention the construction on 10 near 59th avenue for the new 202 Phoenix by-pass and connection ramps.

I didn't know about 101 construction in the east valley. Where (what stretch) is the construction? I'll be coming down to Apache Junction after New Year. I normally drive (southbound) 17/101/60 or 17/101/202/60.

OP, sorry to insert my own question into your thread. Just thought I'd catch the ones in the know while they are here.

Janss wrote:
I didn't know about 101 construction in the east valley. Where (what stretch) is the construction? I'll be coming down to Apache Junction after New Year. I normally drive (southbound) 17/101/60 or 17/101/202/60.

I took it midweek last week and what I hit was construction on the 101 from the Price Rd/202 beginning all the way up to the 60. It looks like road widening in both directions. But since you're coming south jumping off at the 202 or 60, this won't impact you. I would say take the 202 as the whack-em-up crunch at the 101 to 60 ramps is as bad as it gets, often backing up to just under the 202.

I got off at the 202 and did some in town things but reconnected with he 101 at Via Linda. Up pass the N.Scottsdale curve was here and there construction almost all the way to the 17 in both directions.

Lots of the mess is compounded during rush hours and to a lesser degree day time hours. But since ADOT does lots of closures at nights and weekends, you really need to check AZ511 the day before and the day of travel.

Thanks for the info ItsyRV!

Another lane is being added on 101 from 202 to 60. The lanes are still open so it's a non issue. Some on/off ramps are closed.