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Flagstaff, AZ to Cortez, CO

MPond
Explorer
Explorer
I've always taken US-89 & US-160 in between Flagstaff, AZ and Cortez, CO, but it can be a boring drive and slow going if you get stuck behind a slow vehicle on the 2-lane sections.

That route made sense if we were stopping at the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley, but this time were going directly to Cortez.

I'm considering an alternate route: East on I-40 to Gallup, NM, then north on US-491 to Cortez. From google earth, it appears to have more 4-lane sections, both on I-40 and US-491.

Can anyone familiar with both routes tell me how they compare?

Thanks.
2003 Country Coach Intrigue, Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) toad, with just a few mods...

Other rig: 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually / Next Level 38CK Fifth-wheel Toy Hauler w/ quads, sand rail, etc...
14 REPLIES 14

Busskipper
Explorer
Explorer
MPond wrote:
2gypsies wrote:
So....are you taking your friends to ride your fun highway - 550 from Durango? We were just on it a few weeks ago but the weather didn't cooperate and it was gloomy and rainy.


:B Yep.


In a rented RV?

If so they will likely buy in to the life. In all the US this area, is by far the most fun for me, just never ever gets old, even in the rain! (more chance to see a Double Rainbow)

Enjoy the trip.
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
GX470-FMCA - Travel less now - But still love to be on the Road
States traveled in this Coach

MPond
Explorer
Explorer
2gypsies wrote:
So....are you taking your friends to ride your fun highway - 550 from Durango? We were just on it a few weeks ago but the weather didn't cooperate and it was gloomy and rainy.


:B Yep.
2003 Country Coach Intrigue, Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) toad, with just a few mods...

Other rig: 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually / Next Level 38CK Fifth-wheel Toy Hauler w/ quads, sand rail, etc...

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Explorer III
So....are you taking your friends to ride your fun highway - 550 from Durango? We were just on it a few weeks ago but the weather didn't cooperate and it was gloomy and rainy.
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

MPond
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm still early in the planning stages for this one, but I think we'll be in a hurry to get from Williams to Cortez, so no stops along the way.

We're taking some friends who are new to RVing - they recently rented and RV and went on a short trip with us here in CA, and now they want to venture out further. But because of their schedule, we'll be limited to 2 weeks, rather than our normal 4 week trips. So we'll have to pick and choose where we stop in order to complete the loop in 2 weeks.
2003 Country Coach Intrigue, Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) toad, with just a few mods...

Other rig: 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually / Next Level 38CK Fifth-wheel Toy Hauler w/ quads, sand rail, etc...

MPond
Explorer
Explorer
Busskipper wrote:


Matt,

You've must have been really busy - By now we are usually looking through a really detailed trip report! Not a Question on a route.

...


Yeah - REALLY busy. So much so that we didn't get a big trip this year, so I'm focusing on planning for next year instead:

  • 1 week in April 2015 (Utah)
  • 2 weeks in June 2015 (Colorado)
  • And maybe squeezing in a 1-week trip this fall, but that one is iffy...
2003 Country Coach Intrigue, Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) toad, with just a few mods...

Other rig: 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually / Next Level 38CK Fifth-wheel Toy Hauler w/ quads, sand rail, etc...

Busskipper
Explorer
Explorer
MPond wrote:
I've always taken US-89 & US-160 in between Flagstaff, AZ and Cortez, CO, but it can be a boring drive and slow going if you get stuck behind a slow vehicle on the 2-lane sections.

That route made sense if we were stopping at the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley, but this time were going directly to Cortez.

I'm considering an alternate route: East on I-40 to Gallup, NM, then north on US-491 to Cortez. From google earth, it appears to have more 4-lane sections, both on I-40 and US-491.

Can anyone familiar with both routes tell me how they compare?

Thanks.


Matt,

You've must have been really busy - By now we are usually looking through a really detailed trip report! Not a Question on a route.

Been on both, the side trip which is not that much is Window Rock and Canyon de Chelly, My Great Grandmother was Cherokee and I get Goose Bumps when we drive through these two spots. Another option is to look at driving out 40 to 191 then up to Canyon de Chelly they have a limited CG there and the drive in your vehicle (with their guide is possible)through the monument and is memorable, the roads are not bad, I have never had an issue on the back roads, if I recall there are a few really interesting Rocks along the way.

BOL,
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
GX470-FMCA - Travel less now - But still love to be on the Road
States traveled in this Coach

JJnLilly
Explorer
Explorer
Mpond, thinking of doing the same. We begin a big western swing on Wednesday and just added Mesa Verde to the list of must sees. Planning on leaving the Williams/Flagstaff area and looking at the best way while dragging a 33' 5r.
2007 Ram 2500 QC CTD
2020 Passport GT 2210

SheepCamp
Explorer
Explorer
Depending on your time frame, cut up through the middle. Over to Luepp and north to hit the Hopi Mesa's, over to Ganado and Hubbell Trading Post Nat Monument, on up to Chinle and Canyon De Chelly. We have traveled most of the Reservation roads, dirt or paved over the years and always find it interesting and enjoyable to explore the back roads. If you are just trying to get from point A to B, the main routes are by far faster and smoother.
01 F350 CC SRW 7.3 Diesel
05 Lance 845
96 Jeep Cherokee, Beaches of Baja
79 Jeep CJ7, Moab Rocks

MPond
Explorer
Explorer
Hmmm - maybe it's not such a great alternate after all...

Anything worth seeing in Gallup? We've never been through there...
2003 Country Coach Intrigue, Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) toad, with just a few mods...

Other rig: 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually / Next Level 38CK Fifth-wheel Toy Hauler w/ quads, sand rail, etc...

Lauren
Explorer
Explorer
Don't fall asleep on the 491; it is that boring.
Barbara-DW 55 years
Sadie-"Aussie" Terrier
06 Mobile Suites 32TK3
06 Chev 3500 4x4 Dmax
20 yrs PT RVing - 190 RV parks; some many times


mockturtle
Explorer II
Explorer II
One thing about 491 (used to be 666) is that there is very little traffic.
2015 Tiger Bengal TX 4X4
Chevy 3500HD, 6L V8

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Explorer III
As far as scenery, 491 is flat, straight and boring compared to 89 and 160. You do have a view of Shiprock off in the distance though.
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

eubank
Explorer
Explorer
Rather than changing routes, bring that "boring" route to fascinating life with Fran Kosik's Native Roads!

http://smile.amazon.com/Native-Roads-Complete-Motoring-Nations/dp/1933855894/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=...

🙂
Lynn

Helimech
Explorer
Explorer
I just drove from Flag to Cortez about a month ago. It is a much better road but the scenery is the same.