Bypass Phoenix from Flagstaff to Palm Springs

2gypsies wrote:
O.K. if the OP wants to come from Flagstaff to I-10 west at Quartzsite (at the California border) and I-10 on to Palm Springs area here are the mileages:

I-17 south to Exit 223 (Hwy 74) west to Wickenberg & then pick up Hwy 60 to Quartzsite = 131 miles

I-17 south via Phoenix and the 101 to I-10 to Quartzsite = 145 miles

I-17 south via Phoenix and the 303 to I-10 to Quartzsite = 146 miles

Personally, we would take the Wickenberg route to I-10 any day over the 101 or 303 routes with all the traffic. We've done this route many, many times.

Exit 232 at New River keeps you out of the increasing traffic as you approach Phx. # 303 right now is incomplete and presents difficulty RVers don't need.

I 17 to the 101 is very doable but crowded. More grief RVers don't need when it can be easily avoided.

I have to stick with taking exit 232 off of I-17 over to Az. 74. 74 over to Us. 60 to Wickenburg and on to I-10 at Brenda.

Here is the best way from Flagstaff. Take I-17 down to New River. At New River take Exit 232 to the west. This is a well maintained paved 2 lane highway that takes you to Az.74. Turn right on to 74 and about 20 miles turn right onto US 60 to Wickenburg. Stay on US 60 thru Aguila, Wenden, Salome, Vicksburg and Brenda. At Brenda you will pickup I-10. This is a few miles before Quartzsite and will take you into Palm springs. The drive from Wickenburg to Quartzsite is a kin to RV heaven. There are numerous Rv Parks on the way. Traffic is light to non existent and the road is very good. This is my favored route from Flagstaff to Quartzsite and Southern Ca.

And if weather allows us to continue on I-40 to Flagstaff we too shall try that route. Coming from Wi and hoping to get out before more weather events. Drove in wind induced blizzard today. Very little snow but with the 2 inches on ground and light snow with 40mph cross wind it was all going sideways. Wind kept popping my slide out topper on large slide. 60 miles took longer than usual.

2gypsies, well, you have sold me on the route. I always like to try something new and have never heard of taking 74.

Thanks,
MM.

O.K. if the OP wants to come from Flagstaff to I-10 west at Quartzsite (at the California border) and I-10 on to Palm Springs area here are the mileages:

I-17 south to Exit 223 (Hwy 74) west to Wickenberg & then pick up Hwy 60 to Quartzsite = 131 miles

I-17 south via Phoenix and the 101 to I-10 to Quartzsite = 145 miles

I-17 south via Phoenix and the 303 to I-10 to Quartzsite = 146 miles

Personally, we would take the Wickenberg route to I-10 any day over the 101 or 303 routes with all the traffic. We've done this route many, many times.

2gypsies, seems taking the route to Wickenburg from the 17 would take you back north a little. I have never taken that route and I bet it's very scenic too.

The OP is going West or Southwest from the heading of the topic.

Safe travels,
MM.

Mr.Mark wrote:
Cpoo, there is a route that is absolutely beautiful before Flagstaff but I wouldn't recommend it in a motorhome. The mountain views are breathtaking.

Take hwy 77 from Holbrook off of the I-40 to the 377 to the 277 to the 260 to the 87 (Beeline hwy south), then to the 202 that runs into the I-10.

This is a perfectly good route for a motorhome. We did it twice this year with our 40'.

It all depends where he's coming from - east or west. I still say I-17 south from Flagstaff to 74 toward Wickenburg to I-10 is the easiest with minimal traffic.

cpoo wrote:
Anyone cut off of I-40 before getting to Flagstaff and cutting down to I-10. Doesn't look like any real possibilities and nobody mentioned it so assume hanging on to I-40 to Flagstaff is the best.

Cut off I-40 where? Are you coming into Flagstaff from the East?
If you are looking at 77 or 87, those would not be good options to get where you are going.
Regardless, 40 to 95 will be the easiest to get to Palm Springs

Cpoo, there is a route that is absolutely beautiful before Flagstaff but I wouldn't recommend it in a motorhome. The mountain views are breathtaking.

Take hwy 77 from Holbrook off of the I-40 to the 377 to the 277 to the 260 to the 87 (Beeline hwy south), then to the 202 that runs into the I-10.

I know it sounds like a lot of different hwy's but it's fairly straight forward if you look at it on a map.

Mark

RCMAN46 wrote:
I would bypass Phoenix completely by going to Kingman then to Palm Springs.

X4. Just ran down 95 last week. Two lane but things move along pretty good.