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resucami's avatar
resucami
Explorer
Jan 01, 2018

Route from San Diego (CA) to Sedona (AZ)

Hello Forum,

Happy New Year! I'm flying on Wednesday to San Diego to look at an RV which I then hopefully will buy - and use to get back to Sedona, Arizona. If this happens it will be my very first RV trip.

From San Diego to Sedona are 440 miles. I'm sure I will not be able to drive this distance in one day, especially not if I'm starting my trip in the afternoon. I hope I can do it in 2 days - first day San Diego to Ehrenberg or Quartzsite, second day back home to Sedona. Is that realistic?

If I get the feeling that I should not drive all the way to Ehrenberg on the first day, where could I best stop for the night? I guess the best route from San Diego to Ehrenberg is taking the I-8 to El Centro and then the SR 111 or SR 115 and finally the SR 78 to Ehrenberg. Does that sound ok?

Several months of research and looking and test driving might come to an end on Wednesday. Or not, if I don't like the vehicle. We will see.

I would be happy and greatful if I could get some tips for the trip back to Sedona here. Thanks.

Nick
Roads and Routes

18 Replies

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  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 01, 2018
    I would overnight IN San Diego Area....find/stay at a CampGround that evening and check out RV fully

    tires...what age are they?
    how does it handle...driving (assume its a motorhome due to flying in)
    Set up and use it locally

    Then adjust/check tire air pressures next AM and hit the road
    Yuma first day (3 hrs)----gives you enough time to get 'comfortable' driving RV
    Then on to Sedona second day (5hrs)
  • SAR_Tracker's avatar
    SAR_Tracker
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2018
    I'll second 8-85-10-303, etc.... Went Sedona to SD in one day (albeit a very LOOOOOONG day. A stop somewhere in Yuma will break it up very nicely.
  • 1320Fastback's avatar
    1320Fastback
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2018
    I would take 8 to the 85 just west of Phoenix and then head north. 85 is a much shorter route to the 10 and the 78 in and around Glamis can be busy and not always a very good road. I've seen potholes the size of moose and someitmes has blown sand over it too.

    I would just leave San Diego and cruise all the way to the 85. Would be a long but relaxing drive. I used to visit family in Cottonwood and this is how I went.

    400 miles is doable in a RV or a truck and trailer but is a long day. If you don't mind driving at night and are rested drive all the way home.
  • NMDriver's avatar
    NMDriver
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2018
    First time out I would stay on I-8 and plan on spending the night in Yuma. You should be fine for one night boonedocking without a campground but Yuma has every level of campground from resort to parking lot.

    It is 3-4 hrs from San Diego (3 in motor home/4 pulling a trailer at 55) and it has a lot of RV repair shops, if you have a blowout or some other issue. The next day go up to Gila Bend and take 85 to I-10 and the 303 around Phoenix to I-17.

    Take your time at first and double check Steps in, windows closed, antenna and vents down, chocks, levelers, etc picked up, and if it is a trailer the hitch is properly hooked up and safety chains/cable attached.
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2018
    I wouldn't rush my first trip in a RV - especially a used RV. I would take it slow and keep and eye/ear out for anything that maybe wrong - use the extra time to get familiar with the rig and each of it's components. Good idea to bring some basic tools in case you need to fix something en-route.

    Some people love to plan trips to the nth degree - others like me tend to wing it and drive until they see something interesting or get tired. RV allows you the luxury to do either.
  • profdant139's avatar
    profdant139
    Explorer II
    Jan 01, 2018
    What kind of an RV is it? If it is a towed RV (trailer or fifth wheel), build in a lot of extra time for getting it parked just right -- not easy for a newbie. (It'll get easier over time.)

    Be sure to take good notes when you take delivery -- the various systems can be a bit daunting at first.

    I would also use rvparkreviews.com in addition to the one suggested by kerrlakeRoo.

    In any event, let us know how it went!
  • kerrlakeRoo's avatar
    kerrlakeRoo
    Explorer
    Jan 01, 2018
    Load RVPARKY or another similar app on your phone to let you locate a campground anywhere along the way.
    You simply type in a town name, and the closest ones will come on a map screen, complete with pricing and contact info.
    And congrats and good luck.

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