Bypass Phoenix from Flagstaff to Palm Springs

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.

RCMAN46, you are right, there are some inclines too going down the 17 to Phoenix, but the elevation is quite different from Flagstaff to Phoenix. Beautiful terrain.

I mostly take the California side of 95 so the Arizona side could be a little wider and maybe less ribbon. There may have been some construction since I took it last. The California side hasn't changed much but is still enjoyable.

Safe travels,
Mark

If I recall correctly it is not all down hill from Flagstaff to Phoenix on I 17.

There is one if not two rather steep (less than 7%) up hill grades going south on I 17.

The Kingman route to I10 at Quartzite from flagstaff is all down hill. The so called ribbon road on the Arizona side is a good wide two lane highway. There is only about 20 miles that I would call a ribbon road. Never have had problems with rigs passing on the Arizona side. California is another matter and I will never travel US 95 in California again.

Bob, just keep in mind that Flagstaff is very high in elevation so check the weather if you actually take a route through the mountains.

We've done just about all the routes in that area. We always see snow when going through Flagstaff in the winter along the side of the road. Luckily, we've never been caught in a snow storm in the motorhome, we have driven through a snow storm in a car but no problems.

I call 95 south from I-40 'ribbon road' (the Arizona side and the California side) as that's just what it looks like driving it from a distance. It's two lane so people will be trying to pass you.

The easiest is I-40 to the I-17 then south to Phoenix (there are some good coasting down grades on the 17 to Phoenix). Then, you can take the 101 or go directly to the I-10 west.

Mark

hypoxia wrote:
Travel through Phoenix between 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM on weekdays & traffic shouldn't be a problem. In AZ you are allowed in the HOV lane when towing. Don't do that in CA though.

I totally agree with your timing. The Phoenix highway system is fast and efficient if used during non-peak hours. I have always timed my snowbird passes through there in the MH and have had no issues.

All mentioned routes are big-rig friendly.

Thanks for all the info. I should have added we are a 37 foot gas 2015 Winnebago towing a Smart Car. So if any of these routes is contraindicated for these vehicles please advise. We are actually going to Palm Desert but all are close on the 10.

We always take I-17 south from Flagstaff to 74 toward Wickenburg to 60 to I-10. It's a very easy, scenic drive.

Travel through Phoenix between 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM on weekdays & traffic shouldn't be a problem. In AZ you are allowed in the HOV lane when towing. Don't do that in CA though.

bluwtr49 wrote:
If you take Bell Road W from Surprise (off of 60) that becomes another bypass that actually allows you to not only bypass Phoenix but all the other******on 10 through Goodyear. It joins the 10 W. of 87. It's a great road and I use it all the time.

Bad idea. Horrible traffic on Bell Rd any time of day. Do the 40/95 route