I just did a google map look and didn't see anything that would concern. Its mostly a separated highway through the mtns... 260/87 from Payson to where 87 splits off looks like a good wide road. Maps showing big trucks using it... 280 then splits off in the middle or nowhere and 87/282 continues on through Sinkhole and starts clearing the mtns here on up to Winslow. Road looks good to me... Probably not the best time in the year to be in the mtns in AZ...
Looks like a good drive - go search google maps and make the drive just like I did hehe... zooom down until see cars on the roads using SAT VIEW...
Roy Ken