Traveling I-40 west

jceherm1 wrote:
Thanks to all that have replied with some great info although we are not new to RVing we have stayed in the SE and have never ventured out west...really looking forward to the trip Thanks again for the info

You will love the trip. Here are some pictures from our trip in September:

Grand Canyon Sunset

Bright Angel Trail

Other Grand Canyon Pictures

The campground pictures at the Grand Canyon are from Trailer Village. It was a great place to stay.

And, in case you're interested:

Arches National Park - Moab, UT

Canyonlands National Park - Moab, UT

Thanks to all that have replied with some great info although we are not new to RVing we have stayed in the SE and have never ventured out west...really looking forward to the trip Thanks again for the info

PenMan wrote:
I was in NC for the month of October. I would drive an extra 500 miles to avoid Arkansas. Actually I did take the southern route back thru Mississippi and Louisiana to avoid going thru Arkansas again (went straight out I-40 going to NC). I think they dig up the road intentionally, patch it, then dig it up again to try to keep you in the state longer. I think it was about 300 miles longer but so much more enjoyable and actually took less time. If you don't mind a full day of road construction and sitting still on the road then I-40 is shorter. Other than that, I-40 is fine.

That is one long term construction project. I went through 4 years ago and the Little Rock area was a mess then.

When we go west from NC (which we most often do)we usually take I-40. There are lots of great places to camp spaced at good intervals. This is a very long interstate and there will always be areas of construction and/or poor road surfaces. West of Oklahoma City used to be a real problem, now there are some bad sections in Arkansas. Spring weather can be variable too. We even have late snow in NC sometimes. I am more concerned about the wind and possibility of tornados. As always, keep an eye on the weather and enjoy your trip. lizzie

Just a heads up - we ran into a huge snowstorm the end of April west of Albuquerque, NM on I-40. The highway was closed for two days. Even though it's supposed to be spring, check the weather conditions and be prepared. Have a great trip!

There a lot to see along I-40. In Amarillo, there is Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Big Texan on Old Route 66. In New Mexico, Tucumcari still has dinners along Historic Route 66 and numerous murals painted on buildings plus other attractions. Santa Rosa is another Route 66 town and has the The Blue Hole and Santa Rosa Lake State Park which has a nice campground. In Albuquerque, the Pueblo Cultural Center and Petroglyph National Monument are worth visiting in my opinion. In Grants, there is the Mining Museum. Just South of I-40 going West from Grants are El Malpais National Monument, El Moro National Monument and the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano. Acoma Sky City is said to be the longest occuppied location in the U.S. They give tours of the pueblo and there is an RV park next to the casino.

On the way to Flagstaff along I-40 are Petrified Forest National Park, Meteor Crater and Homolovi Ruins State Park. You can stand on the corner in Winslow Arizona.

In the Flagstaff area are Sunset Crater National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, and Walnut Canyon National Monument. Sedona/Camp Verde/Cottonwood are about an hour South of Flagstaff with Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well National Monuments, Tuzigoot National Monument, Palatki and Honaki Ruins, V-Bar-V Heritage Site, Verde Canyon Railroad, Fort Verde State Park, Cathedral Rock, Gold King Mine, Jerome State Historic Park in the area.

All this before you even get to the Grand Canyon.

Grants NM is a great stop. There is a museum downtown which has a 'uranium mine' exhibit below the building - definitely worth a stop.

The El Malpias National Monument is worth a stop - and you pass between part of the lava flow in I-40. The loop down to El Morro NM is also interesting. Makes a nice day off the road.

Of course you have to stop at/ drive through Painted Desert / Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona.

Here's an old post on what one might see in New Mexico , if wanting to see some other sights & sites.

As I mentioned in the above post: "Easy to get to Santa Fe by taking US 298 at Cline's Corner ( Exit 218 on I-40) to I-25 then South on 25 to Santa Fe & on to ABQ & I-40."

easy.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.i40highway.com%2F&ei=POHHVKDHDY-wyASgr4LAAw&bvm=bv.84349003,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNF-yH2JWaDZYZiTclzHdYEqAwZZPg&ust=1422471865965460

The Cowboy Museum of the West (or something like that) in Oklahoma City is fantastic. We spend an entire day wandering about, would have liked to spend at least another day. That said, My wife and I are both western folk, my wife was a barrel racer in her childhood life. Then, I think in Clinton, just west of Oklahoma City and entire town is dedicated as a museum to Route 66. Old barns, equipment, stores, etc. Again we spent a day. In Amarillo we stayed at The Fort RV park. Lovely with a little lake. We didn't go to the canyons about an hours South, but it is in our to do list. The Petrified Forest is a fun half day tour. The National Park museum is at the South entrance, so from the 40 you really need to drive the whole tour to get to the information area. Again, we really enjoyed this. At the Grand Canyon we based in Williams at the Circle of Pines KOA. Really a resort lovely park. Indoor pool, large sites, very well shaded by big trees. Just Lovely. Don't miss Bearazona, the wild animal park nearby. If traveling with children the Deer Park is fun, more for children. From Williams, Sedonna is less than 1 hr away, beautiful, now more of an art colony. Lots of fun for a day. The Wright church is stunning. Also from Williams, just north of Flagstaff is Crater of the Sun, the volcanic mountain range. Lovely ranger station, and some very nice hikes on paved signed walkways. If you have time a day drive (could be a 1/2 day drive but it would be a long round trip) to Monument Valley, and Gouldings RV Park and Hotel. This is such beautiful inspirational country. Words cannot describe.
Happy Trails.