Connecting from I-40 to I-10 in Arizona

[bedell]

We are heading from Colorado to Ehrenberg, Az in December. We plan on I-40 west from Albuquerque. Any suggestions on a route to connect down to I-10? I-17 looks pretty obvious but Googlemaps suggests some state routes east of 17. We will be towing a TT.

[paulj]

bedell wrote:
... I-17 looks pretty obvious but Googlemaps suggests some state routes east of 17....

Map programs choose routes based on time or distance criteria, not because one alternative is 'better' (in some poorly defined sense) than another.

Picking the shortest is straight forward. Fastest requires assumptions about speed. In the simplest case the program just assumes one speed for freeways, another for 2 lane highways, etc. It may also make assumptions based on curves and grades, but I wouldn't count on that.

Google maps gives you terrain information, including altitude if you zoom in far enough. Plus you can see all curves, and even sample the scenry via Streetview.

[crabbin_cabin]

bedell wrote:
Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. We have decided to stay with 25 to Hatch, NM and take state route to Deming and then I 10 all the way to Ehrenberg. It is not much more distance and should be warmer.

Good on you. When commuting from Denver to Mesa, whenever there is a treat of slightly worse weather we have often gone south on I 25 to Hatch and across to I 10 at Deeming. (Going to Mesa we turn NW at Lordsburg to Globe/ Mesa) \I 10 westward - you will be fine.
Enjoy that River country.

[bedell]

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. We have decided to stay with 25 to Hatch, NM and take state route to Deming and then I 10 all the way to Ehrenberg. It is not much more distance and should be warmer.

[Golden_HVAC]

I 40 and Flagstaff can get something called 'feet of snow'. It happens when it is 15F and at a very high elevation. Flagstaff is around 7,000' elevation and they normally will not get any rain in December, but feet of snow happens all the time.

Personally I would take I-40 to Holbrook, then go south on 277 towards Payson. That works great in October, but it is also a very high mountain pass. Check the weather channel before taking the high mountain passes.

You might find that taking interstate 25 south to I10 very easy compared to driving through the snow around Flagstaff. My uncle ran into snow in June in Flagstaff many years ago.

Fred.

[mileshuff]

Weather is a dictating factor. In clear weather, open roads I'd take I-40 to 377 to 260 to 87 to 202 to 10. All great roads. 87 is mostly 4 lane divided. Very scenic. While all good roads and easy drive with an RV, it is not advisable in winter conditions. Heavy snows can exist most of the route.

I-40 and I-17 for a 40 mile radius around Flagstaff can get heavy snow packed. If you take I-17 south towards Phoenix, take highway 303 west then north to I-10. 303 bypasses all of Phoenix with almost no traffic.

[2gypsies1]

In December you don't want to take any roads from I-40 and east of I-17. You will be in high elevations.

As stated above, take I-17 south and pick up Hwy 74 westward. Don't go as far into Phoenix as 101. That's a lot of unnecessary traffic. Plus, it's longer than Hwy 74.

[TyroneandGladys]

Janss wrote:
Where is US 96? How about staying on I-40, then take AZ 95 down along the Colorado River through Lake Havasu and Parker. There are a few State and County parks (with camping) along there.

Stand corrected US95 is the California Side State Arizona 95 is Arizona side.

[Janss]

Where is US 96? How about staying on I-40, then take AZ 95 down along the Colorado River through Lake Havasu and Parker. There are a few State and County parks (with camping) along there.

[TyroneandGladys]

A few more miles but you could stay on I40 till you get to US95 or AZ95 and avoid Phoenix

[Janss]

The routes east of I-17 are doable and scenic 2-lane roads, as noted. But you'll have to drive across central Phoenix once you get there. Also check the weather, as suggested. Higher elevations in Northern AZ. You can take 2gypsies suggested route, or you can drive south on I-17 to northern Phoenix, then take Loop 101 around the west side to I-10.

[2gypsies1]

First, monitor the weather along I-40 from Albuquerque.

We've done this many times and highly recommended taking I-17 south to Hwy 74, Exit 223 just north of Phoenix.

Take 74 west toward Wickenburg and pick up Hwy 60 west which will take you to I-10 near Ehrenberg. It has minimal traffic, is a good two-lane road and is very scenic. There are no mountains or steep, curvy roads. Plus, you won't get into the Phoenix traffic.

Have a good trip!

[Sandia_Man]

There are other routes and they are quite scenic as well, but they are 2 lane roadways that predominately wind through the mountains southward toward Phoenix. Nice drive for the warmer months of the year and if you have extra time to enjoy ride and explore the area. We make the trip from ABQ to PHX often and no doubt I-17 is the most efficient route to I-10 from I-40.

[Old-Biscuit]

Unless you really enjoy 2 lane mountain roads just use I-17