Phoenix to Albuquerque

Where in Phoenix? It makes a difference.

I suspect 'easy" means different things to different people. However; staying on the Interstate is pretty easy. I-10 to I-25 thru Tucson and Los Cruces is easy and rarely are there snow/weather issues. I-17 to I-40 thru Flagstaff and Gallup is also easy but involves the big climb to Flagstaff and a much more significant chance of snow in the winter months.

The most scenic, in my opinion, is US-60 thru Globe, Show Low, Springerville, and Soccoro. However; I would not call the Salt River Canyon climb/descent "easy".

IMHO: AVOID Flagstaff at all costs. I-17 and I-40 anywhere near Flagstaff are two of the worst interstates in the country. Potholes are everywhere and many that they have attempted to fill with uneven concrete patches are worse. On both, the closer you get to Flagstaff the worse it gets but the last 10 - 20 miles are ridiculous.

I have been through Flagstaff 3 times this year as recently as last week. These roads will beat your rig to death. Once you get east of Flagstaff I-40 is fine. West all the way to Williams is terrible and I-17 from Camp Verde north is probably the worst of all.

Going up through Show Low is probably your best bet and don't be intimidated by the Salt River Canyon as the road is excellent. Taking 87 north out of Payson all the way to Holbrook is another good choice if you are in no particular hurry as much of this route is 50 - 55. Both of these routes have spectacular scenery and while shoulders are few and far between anything but a very large rig will do just fine.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV

:C

87 through Payson and then through to Winslow

Thanks for the 87 trip through Payson. We will hopefully be doing this in a couple weeks. Did not like I-40 around Flagstaff or I-17 North out of Phoenix.

87 to Payson...260 to Heber...377 to Holbrook...40 to Albuquerque.
Lighter traffic during the week, and you move right along.

Avoiding I17 and Flagstaff is always a good thing.:)

Expyinflight wrote:
87 to Payson...260 to Heber...377 to Holbrook...40 to Albuquerque.
Lighter traffic during the week, and you move right along.

Avoiding I17 and Flagstaff is always a good thing.:)

Do this a couple of times a year, the shortest, easiest, least traffic, scenic.

Love the Payson, Heber, Holbrook route. One notable downhill grade south of Sunflower and two uphill grades. First starts 11 miles south of Payson all the way into Payson, second is a 10 mile grade from approximately Christopher Creek to Woods Canyon Lake turn off. From Payson to Heber is very scenic thru forests climbing to the top of the Mogollon Rim. From the top the view is spectacular looking over the valley below.

87, 260 and 377 are all good roads.

If it's that bad, stop going there :)

Desert Captain wrote:
IMHO: AVOID Flagstaff at all costs. I-17 and I-40 anywhere near Flagstaff are two of the worst interstates in the country. Potholes are everywhere and many that they have attempted to fill with uneven concrete patches are worse. On both, the closer you get to Flagstaff the worse it gets but the last 10 - 20 miles are ridiculous.

I have been through Flagstaff 3 times this year as recently as last week. These roads will beat your rig to death. Once you get east of Flagstaff I-40 is fine. West all the way to Williams is terrible and I-17 from Camp Verde north is probably the worst of all.



:C

RE_Todd wrote:
If it's that bad, stop going there :)

Desert Captain wrote:
IMHO: AVOID Flagstaff at all costs. I-17 and I-40 anywhere near Flagstaff are two of the worst interstates in the country. Potholes are everywhere and many that they have attempted to fill with uneven concrete patches are worse. On both, the closer you get to Flagstaff the worse it gets but the last 10 - 20 miles are ridiculous.

I have been through Flagstaff 3 times this year as recently as last week. These roads will beat your rig to death. Once you get east of Flagstaff I-40 is fine. West all the way to Williams is terrible and I-17 from Camp Verde north is probably the worst of all.



:C

Sharing useful information with others is basically what this Forum is all about. Having first hand knowledge of the terrible road conditions I shared that info in answer to the OP's original query. It's too bad you fail to grasp the concept.

:R