Phoenix 17 truck route?

Us out West wrote:

pigman1 wrote:
If you want to avoid all Phoenix traffic take Rt 85 south from Goodyear down to Gila Bend then I-8 east to Casa Grande. That said, unless you're planning on going through Phoenix at prime drive time, I doubt you'll have much trouble. An accident can tie the I-10 or 17 route up any time, but although there will be heavy traffic, we've found it moves well.

That is the way we usually take to & from Casa Grande but thought we would try a different route which seems to cut off about 30 minutes.

Think we'll stay with our normal route.

A little longer time wise but we are not in that much of a hurry anymore and since this is our destination until late March early April we'll just enjoy.

Thanks for the replies and safe travels.

I 17 is the older route. This part of I10 wasn't completed until they came up with the lid solution (supposedly to minimize neighborhood disruption). It looks like 10 was built to newer, higher volume, standards.

I've driven all three routes several times. I 17 can be a pain to drive. 55 mph speed limit with locals going 70 using it as a shortcut, lots off off ramps and merging in a commercial district, and the signs to I 10 can be confusing to decipher. 85 is a bit slower, maybe 10 min but is pretty layed back. I 10 thru Phoenix is an easy drive during non rush traffic. The "tunnel" is an non issue.
Sometimes it is easier to not think so much and just keep going straight on I 10.

2gypsies wrote:
Hmmm. Never heard it called a tunnel.

It is officially called the Papago Freeway Tunnel but residents have always called it the Deck Park Tunnel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papago_Freeway_Tunnel

Hmmm. Never heard it called a tunnel.

Could it be that that tunnel (i.e. a long covered stretch of I10) is why I17 is designated as 'I10 truck route'? I bet hazardous materials are prohibited in that covered span, so certain trucks will have to take the alternative.

Hazardous Materials restrictions in Phoenix map

If you go through Phoenix take the I17 route and avoid going through the tunnel.

As others have stated, Phoenix really isn't bad to drive through if you plan it between 9-3. In fact, we think it's one of the easiest cities to get through. Have you ever tried Houston? :)

If coming from Indio you'll be on I-10 so just continue to Casa Grande. If you really want to avoid the major stuff than picking up Hwy 85 off I-10 at Buckeye to I-8 and east to Casa Grande is the way to go. It's really not that boring. It's a very good highway for big rigs and truckers use it, also.

we have been both ways in car, truck and on motorcycles. The bypass to Gila Bend is BORING and actually we found to be slower than just going thru east la itself.

I 17 seems to be 2 different routes of sorts thru east la. When we went to buy our rv we took the truck route and actually bypassed the I17 turnoff over by the airport area. Think the basic highway is better, but it just like being in west phoenix (LA itself) no matter what route you take. No real difference in any of them.

pigman1 wrote:
If you want to avoid all Phoenix traffic take Rt 85 south from Goodyear down to Gila Bend then I-8 east to Casa Grande. That said, unless you're planning on going through Phoenix at prime drive time, I doubt you'll have much trouble. An accident can tie the I-10 or 17 route up any time, but although there will be heavy traffic, we've found it moves well.

That is the way we usually take to & from Casa Grande but thought we would try a different route which seems to cut off about 30 minutes.