Flag Staff to South Rim

[Ernest]

Are there any pro/con's of US 180 vs I-40 going from Flag Staff to South Rim?

[mileshuff]

Pro's and cons to both routes.

I-40/Hwy 64
Pros:
Easier drive, flatter and straighter.
Lots to see and do around Williams. Bearizona, Deer petting zoo, zipline.
Cons:
Typical interstate. Not as scenic. VERY rough, lots of potholes although they have been repaving some sections.

Hwy 180:
Pros:
More scenic winding thru mountains.
Stop at Snowbowl and ride chairlift to top for scenic views. (Park at bottom and use toad to drive up).
Cons:
Slower, winding road. Must drive thru Flagstaff. Not as easy but 180 is all good road.

The other route mentioned is 89 from Flagstaff towards page. Turn left at Cameron on Hwy 64. Trading Post there is worth the stop for Indian goods. A bit further is little colorado river gorge. Great views of a deep, steep cliff walled gorge. Keep away from areas near parking without guard rails. Sheer cliffs, loose gravel don't mix! Local Indians often setup a flee market here for arts and crafts. Once entering the canyons eastern entrance there are several vistas to stop at that often aren't as crowded as those further on at the south rim or western rim areas. Further drive but worth it.

[Ernest]

Janss wrote:
Okay, Busskipper, I'm with ya : ) considering where Ernest will be before and going to after. The east entrance is definitely less crowded and the drive is a good one too. In fact, that is exactly the way we suggest to people in another forum to make a day trip from Sedona to GC.

Ernest...Correct, don't drive the MH up and down Oak Creek Canyon (Hwy 89A). If taking Busskipper's route, you don't have to drive through the town of Flagstaff unless you want to. You can take I-17 north to I-40 east and exit Country Club Dr. I think the sign also says to Hwy 89 and Page. Follow the signs.

Thanks Janss.
I will go around Flagstaff as recommended.
While I have you what is your favorite restaurant in the Sedona area +_ 50 miles?

[Janss]

Okay, Busskipper, I'm with ya : ) considering where Ernest will be before and going to after. The east entrance is definitely less crowded and the drive is a good one too. In fact, that is exactly the way we suggest to people in another forum to make a day trip from Sedona to GC.

Ernest...Correct, don't drive the MH up and down Oak Creek Canyon (Hwy 89A). If taking Busskipper's route, you don't have to drive through the town of Flagstaff unless you want to. You can take I-17 north to I-40 east and exit Country Club Dr. I think the sign also says to Hwy 89 and Page. Follow the signs.

[Ernest]

Busskipper wrote:

Janss wrote:
Ernest...Are you driving the MH and toad to the GC? (which is what I assumed.) Or are you asking just for a day trip in your toad to the GC? If just in the toad, then I would do as darsben1 suggests. Enter the east gate (89 northeast from Flagstaff to 64) and exit the south gate back to Flagstaff (or wherever you are staying). .................

Map of prefered Route

I'm going against the grain, as we always try to make the drive/trip as good as the destination - see a lot more on this route (IMHO) as it avoids the crowds (Not a fan of Crowds) and exposes you to just more of what you (I/ME) are driving to see. I've only come in from the south once, and it was a Zoo, so we almost always come in from the East - we usually have been to either - Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley or Page prior to the drive in as there is too much to see to be on the I's.

Depending on the time of year, we usually include a run by the North Rim, as it is just so Different, in a good way.

JMHO,

Thanks, This does look interesting. I'm not trying to make time, I'm trying to enjoy. My original post took into consideration that the world probably comes in from the South (I40&64). I have to go out that way, but don't need to do it twice. About 2 weeks later we'll be in the North Rim. Don't have reservations so we're winging it.

[Busskipper]

Janss wrote:
Ernest...Are you driving the MH and toad to the GC? (which is what I assumed.) Or are you asking just for a day trip in your toad to the GC? If just in the toad, then I would do as darsben1 suggests. Enter the east gate (89 northeast from Flagstaff to 64) and exit the south gate back to Flagstaff (or wherever you are staying). .................

Map of prefered Route

I'm going against the grain, as we always try to make the drive/trip as good as the destination - see a lot more on this route (IMHO) as it avoids the crowds (Not a fan of Crowds) and exposes you to just more of what you (I/ME) are driving to see. I've only come in from the south once, and it was a Zoo, so we almost always come in from the East - we usually have been to either - Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley or Page prior to the drive in as there is too much to see to be on the I's.

Depending on the time of year, we usually include a run by the North Rim, as it is just so Different, in a good way.

JMHO,

[Ernest]

Janss wrote:
Ernest...Are you driving the MH and toad to the GC? (which is what I assumed.) Or are you asking just for a day trip in your toad to the GC? If just in the toad, then I would do as darsben1 suggests. Enter the east gate (89 northeast from Flagstaff to 64) and exit the south gate back to Flagstaff (or wherever you are staying). But I would not bother going in the east gate with the MH if you are staying at the GC and can do the eastern road viewpoints, etc. in your toad.

Yes I'll have the motorhome and toad plus a friend with a 35' 5th wheel. We'll be coming from Sedona to the South Rim. When we leave we'll be heading to Lake Mead RV Village/Hoover Dam.

I was hoping to go in one way and out the other to maximize seeing the scenery. At the same time I didn't know if I 180 was a bad as 89A down your way. I have been warned not to go into Sedona that way.

[Janss]

Ernest...Are you driving the MH and toad to the GC? (which is what I assumed.) Or are you asking just for a day trip in your toad to the GC? If just in the toad, then I would do as darsben1 suggests. Enter the east gate (89 northeast from Flagstaff to 64) and exit the south gate back to Flagstaff (or wherever you are staying). But I would not bother going in the east gate with the MH if you are staying at the GC and can do the eastern road viewpoints, etc. in your toad.

[accsys]

Thom02099 wrote:
So it's a question of AZ 64 vs US 180. And seems like you've answered your own question. 😉

No, it's a question of I-40 to AZ-64 or US-180 to AZ-64 a little farther north. Look at the map. The OP wanted to know whether to take US-180 to AZ-64 or I-40 to AZ-64, both from Flagstaff. US-180 is shorter but takes about the same length of time. It does have better views than I-40 in our opinion.

[Thom02099]

Ernest wrote:

Thom02099 wrote:

Ernest wrote:
Are there any pro/con's of US 180 vs I-40 going from Flag Staff to South Rim?

I-40 doesn't go to the South Rim. US 180 does. Not clear what you're asking.

Well just for you it's I-40 W then AZ 64 N vs I 180. Two legs of the triangle vs the hypotenuse. 8 miles difference but only 3 minutes.

Thanks to everyone else for their insight.

Thanks for clarifying 😄

So it's a question of AZ 64 vs US 180. And seems like you've answered your own question. 😉

[darsben1]

I would do 89 to 64and then along the rim to Grand Canyon village. Native American crafts for sale along the route

[Ernest]

Thom02099 wrote:

Ernest wrote:
Are there any pro/con's of US 180 vs I-40 going from Flag Staff to South Rim?

I-40 doesn't go to the South Rim. US 180 does. Not clear what you're asking.

Well just for you it's I-40 W then AZ 64 N vs I 180. Two legs of the triangle vs the hypotenuse. 8 miles difference but only 3 minutes.

Thanks to everyone else for their insight.

[Harold_Fairbank]

I remember this girl in college, she really knew how to go from the flag staff to the south rim. She was real careful and took her time with all the curves and always pumped the brakes when she started going down too fast. Safety first!

That was the best ride this old mule ever took to get to the grandest canyon I ever stopped to get a bite to eat at.

[Janss]

I agree, 180 is a nice drive once you get north of town. If you don't mind driving through Flagstaff to get to it, I can't think of any con. Picture #12 on accsys's blog is right in town. That's the railroad bridge you must drive under. Check the height sign in the pic. Just after driving under that bridge, you curve to the right, then literally a half block you need to make a left turn. So I suggest being in the left lane as you approach that bridge. After this left turn, you will drive several blocks then make another left turn to follow 180.

Thom02099....Both Hwy 180 and I-40 out of Flagstaff can be taken to Hwy 64 north to Grand Canyon South Rim.

[Thom02099]

Ernest wrote:
Are there any pro/con's of US 180 vs I-40 going from Flag Staff to South Rim?

I-40 doesn't go to the South Rim. US 180 does. Not clear what you're asking.