Kansas City to Phoenix

The determining factor will likely be the weather on December 27 and immediately following. I would have a direct route planned, but also have definite alternatives to avoid weather if possible.

Let's start with I-35 to Wichita, then US 400, US 54 to Tucumcari, NM where you would pick up I-40 to near Holbrook.

One good alternative for a southern route would be to stay on I-35 to Oklahoma City but then take I-44 to Wichita Falls, TX (this avoids the entire DFW problem) to pick up US 277 to Abilene and I-20 and I-10.

We have been through the Texas panhandle (I-40, Amarillo) when the weather was sunny, bright, and pleasant in December or January; but we have also had to drive on icy roads. It all depends on the weather at the exact time. So have plans ready for whatever may develop.

tatest wrote:
Shortest route will likely not be the fastest because the long diagonals are on the US highway system going through towns rather than the Interstates that bypass them. There are several diagonals going SW through Kansas, W Texas and New Mexico. The one that looks good to me (because I've used most of the parts at one time or another) would be:

I-35 to Emporia
US-50 to west of Hutchison
K-61 to Pratt
US-54 to Alamagordo
US-70 to Las Cruces
I-10 into Phoenix.

Can't guarantee this is exactly the shortest, as there are three possible diagonals to the southwest breaking off of I-70 in Kansas, and I haven't added up the miles for the dozen or so possible combinations as those fan out. I just picked the one I've driven.

Likely the shortest driving time:

I-35 to Oklahoma City
I-44 to Wichita Falls
US-277 to Abilene
I-20 to I-10
I-10 to Phoenix.

Granted the speed limit is 75 on the Interstates I do not drive my RV at 75 and on the interstates you do not slow down going through towns.
the shortest distance 1178 miles at 65 MPH is 18.12 hours (straight driving time not counting for stops}
Your fastest way is 1540 miles at 65 is 23.69 hours (straight driving time not counting for stops}
Your fastest way is 1540 miles at 75 is 20.53 hours (straight driving time not counting for stops}
I will take the shorter distance that since odds are that I will be not driving at 75 and slowing down for going through towns will not slow me down that much. Plus there are not that many towns on those diagonals.
Plus on your longest distance shortest time there is 138 miles of non Interstate driving and you will be stopping several times across Oklahoma on the Interstate to pay tolls.

rskrbina wrote:
Hello all. We will leave the Kansas City area heading to Phoenix (Ft McDowell) December 27th. Weather permitting, we would like to take the shortest route. I know our best chance to avoid bad weather through any mountain passes would be straight south to Ft Worth and over to El Pass to catch I-10 and over to Tucson and then up to Phoenix. I would appreciate any other recommended routes from anyone that may have traveled along this route. See my signature for rv type. I will have the jeep wrangler in tow. Thanks for your input.

Shortest Direct Route

Just keep an eye on the weather and adjust accordingly. IMHO, the weather and the roads are usually good - Even in the Winter - just be smart and keep both eyes and ears open to the weather.

We used to drive the Coach to the Ski Resorts all Winter - and as long as we were smart never had an issue.

Best of Luck - let us know what and how after you get there.

Shortest route will likely not be the fastest because the long diagonals are on the US highway system going through towns rather than the Interstates that bypass them. There are several diagonals going SW through Kansas, W Texas and New Mexico. The one that looks good to me (because I've used most of the parts at one time or another) would be:

I-35 to Emporia
US-50 to west of Hutchison
K-61 to Pratt
US-54 to Alamagordo
US-70 to Las Cruces
I-10 into Phoenix.

Can't guarantee this is exactly the shortest, as there are three possible diagonals to the southwest breaking off of I-70 in Kansas, and I haven't added up the miles for the dozen or so possible combinations as those fan out. I just picked the one I've driven.

Likely the shortest driving time:

I-35 to Oklahoma City
I-44 to Wichita Falls
US-277 to Abilene
I-20 to I-10
I-10 to Phoenix.

We are making the same trip you are.Only we leave the 18th. Going out 54 depending on the panhandle weather.We are staying a few days in The Phoenix area,then on out to Pasadena,Ca.Going to the Rose Parade.Safe travels.Just watch the weather.Snow is better than ice any day with a trailer of any kind.

Some GREAT route suggestions. Thank you all that have replied. With weather forecasts suggesting some what higher temperatures and lower precipitation for the season for the southwest , I'm hoping to be able to take the northernmost route, Alberquerque on to Payson, Az. That being said, and my luck, I'll keep the route to Ft Worth handy.

My route between KC and Tucumcari is I-35 to Emporia 50 to Hutchison 61 to Pratt and the 54 to Tucumcari and then from there to Phoenix have gone just about every possible way but I like I-40 from Tucumcari to Santa Rosa 54 to Alamogardo 70 to Las Cruces and I-10 to Phoenix

I too would go from KC to Ellsworth, KS on I 70 then 156 to Great Bend 56 to Dodge City 283 to Montezuma, KS 54 to Tucumcari, NM. However weather permitting take I40 to Holbrook AZ then 370/260 to Payson AZ and then 87 to Fort McDowell.

I would go from KC to Ellsworth, KS on I 70 then 156 to Great Bend 56 to Dodge City 283 to Montezuma, KS 54 to Tucumcari, NM..... I 40 to Santa Rosa 54 to Tularosa, NM 70 to I 25 South to LOS Cruses, NM then I10 to Phoenix.

Plenty of ways to go but that is the easiest, less traffic, relaxing route of them all. I drove that part of the country for a living for many years and usually it is dry and dusty but in late Dec. any route you go can get winter weather.

I-40 to Flagstaff then I-17 south to Phoenix will be a good route. The major interstates are kept clear of snow.

I-10: we once towed from San Antonio to Tucson when an ice storm went through the area. In spite of that, I-10 was clear. The front cap of our 5er was a sheet of ice that didn't melt off till well into New Mexico.

Either route will be OK so long as you stay on the Interstate.