Las Cruces NM to Camp Verde AZ

[Happyemptyneste]

Need opinions on best route from Las Cruces NM to Camp Verde AZ. We are leaving central Tx in a week to our sons wedding near Phoenix. We are staying overnight in Las Cruces and wondering best route after that for diesel stops and road conditions. We have a 33' fifth wheel and 2014 ram 3500.

[1320Fastback]

NMDriver2 wrote:
Take US 70 from Lordsburg and then AZ 188 to miss Tucson and Phoenix. It is also the Google Maps recommended route. It is also shorter by about 50 miles which is 5-6 gallons of fuel. The towns are smaller but Safford and Globe have good fuel opportunities or fill up in Lordsburg at one of the big truck stops. It is about 300 miles from Lordsburg to Camp Verde. Much more scenic vs the I-10/I-17 route.

Drove thought Safford two weeks ago. It's a descent size city all things considered and a great stop. 3-4 diesel options and a NAPA Auto parts store if you need any parts like I did. Oil Pressure sensor went on the fritz 20 miles outside of Mesa.

It's pretty good climb/descent on the East end of Mesa but nothing crazy. Lots of rigs on the road but remember the road conditions were excellent.

[mileshuff]

How is hwy 60 thru NM?
In AZ Hwy 60 to 260 thru Payson and on to Camp Verde is fine for RV's. Very scenic high elevation much of the way. A few grades but never a problem.

[lbrjet]

The drive from Camp Verde to Show Low is real nice. Once you make the climb at the beginning it is just a high country drive between 5-7K feet elevation. Haven't been on 180 though.

[twodownzero]

NMDriver2 wrote:

twodownzero wrote:

Just drove that route last week. It is steeper so I wouldn't be so sure you'll save fuel, but it is a nice drive in the mountains.

But you do not loose as much elevation from Las Cruces to Globe as you do going to Phoenix. You go a little higher between Glove and Camp Verde and then drop down but you do the same between Phoenix and Camp Verde. Overall miles spent climbing is not that different. That pull from Phoenix up I-17 is a long pull 😉

I was going the other way, Phoenix to LC. I took I-10 on the way out.

[Happyemptyneste]

Thanks for all the reply's and help. While its been busy/hectic with the wedding and traveling preparations, we are going to go IH10 to IH17 on the way there. On the slower pace back, I think we'll take the more scenic route back through Arizona and New Mexico. I think mama will need that.

Safe travels everyone!
Mike

[midnightsadie]

roosevelt lake my favorate stop. and great fishing.

[hornet28]

Did the route NMDriver2 is recommending a number of years ago pulling a 30 bumper pull with an 02 Chevy with 8.1. The truck didn't break a sweat and it was a beautiful route compared to running I-10 and I-17. We stayed in the campground at Roosevelt Lake and Zane Grey near Camp Verde. A big plus would be not having to deal with Phoenix traffic

[NMDriver2]

twodownzero wrote:

Just drove that route last week. It is steeper so I wouldn't be so sure you'll save fuel, but it is a nice drive in the mountains.

But you do not loose as much elevation from Las Cruces to Globe as you do going to Phoenix. You go a little higher between Glove and Camp Verde and then drop down but you do the same between Phoenix and Camp Verde. Overall miles spent climbing is not that different. That pull from Phoenix up I-17 is a long pull 😉

[Old-Biscuit]

If you are going to be near Phoenix for sons wedding then I-17 North out of Phoenix to Hwy 260 (Camp Verde)

Las Cruces to Phoenix
I-10 to Phoenix
I-10 to Hwy 70 to hwy 60 to Phoenix

[twodownzero]

NMDriver2 wrote:
Take US 70 from Lordsburg and then AZ 188 to miss Tucson and Phoenix. It is also the Google Maps recommended route. It is also shorter by about 50 miles which is 5-6 gallons of fuel. The towns are smaller but Safford and Globe have good fuel opportunities or fill up in Lordsburg at one of the big truck stops. It is about 300 miles from Lordsburg to Camp Verde. Much more scenic vs the I-10/I-17 route.

Just drove that route last week. It is steeper so I wouldn't be so sure you'll save fuel, but it is a nice drive in the mountains.

[azdryheat]

frizzen wrote:
I 10 to I 17 and on in

x2

[NMDriver2]

Take US 70 from Lordsburg and then AZ 188 to miss Tucson and Phoenix. It is also the Google Maps recommended route. It is also shorter by about 50 miles which is 5-6 gallons of fuel. The towns are smaller but Safford and Globe have good fuel opportunities or fill up in Lordsburg at one of the big truck stops. It is about 300 miles from Lordsburg to Camp Verde. Much more scenic vs the I-10/I-17 route.

[frizzen]

I 10 to I 17 and on in