Flagstaff, AZ to Cortez, CO

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,