Forum Discussion

Robin_n_Marian's avatar
Oct 08, 2014

Highway 77 in Arizona - recommended for a 39' motorhome?

Hi, we are going to be snowbirds for the first time this year, and have reservations at Canyon Vistas in Gold Canyon. We will be heading south from Regina to Albuquerque, then taking the I40 west. The mapping program is taking us to Flagstaff, then south to Phoenix, then east to Gold Canyon, but my husband looked at the map and says why not take #77 from Holbrook to I20, then west to Gold Canyon.
I feel that if that was a good plan, the mapping program would suggest it, as it looks like its about 100 miles shorter. I'm also worried about getting stuck in the desert if anything goes wrong. So I am looking for anyone who is familiar with the area to advise on whether this will be a ood idea.
We are driving a 39' Kountry Star with a dolly and car, for a total length of 60 feet. Thx

14 Replies

  • If you like the hair standing up on the back of your neck that is a great road. I've been on that road many times. It is a beautiful drive with wonderous views especially Salt River Canyon. Like "2gypsies" said if you're not use to steep downhills and uphills on a mostly 2 lane road, it's a really white knuckle drive. Myself with my rig, I'm bit of a novice driving MoHo so I'd go the extra 100 miles myself.
  • BuckBarker wrote:
    Many rigs have been blown over on 77 and 277.


    ???? Never heard that one. :)

    OP: It's an excellent road from I-40 at Holbrook to take 77 into Show Low and then 60 to Globe and on to Gold Canyon.

    The only thing to be aware of is you'll be going down and up Salt River Canyon. It's very doable as many RVers do, us including, but it depends on your driving confidence and confidence in your motorhome. You'll be having 5-6% grades in the canyon going down and up. Then when you get to Globe and are heading to Gold Canyon, you'll have more 6-7% grades going down.

    If you choose I-17 from Flagstaff, it will be 4 lanes but you will still have some steep 6% downhills to Camp Verde and then a steep uphill and then another steep downhill, including runaway truck ramps. It's all downhill from Flagstaff to Phoenix as Flagstaff is a much higher elevation.

    Personally, we're fine with mountain driving and confident in our braking power. We would (& have) choose the Globe route into Gold Canyon because it's scenic and definitely not as much traffic as you'd have getting through the Phoenix area to Gold Canyon.

    Have a good trip!
  • Canyon Vista....great choice. We spent 2 winters there a couple of years ago...
  • I moved from that area 4 years ago. You will be fine! Although it's only 2 lanes, it is a good road. Watch out for windy conditions. Many rigs have been blown over on 77 and 277.