I'd be inclined to go south and take I10 into LA. If the Grape Vine is open then 210 and I5 to Sac. Otherwise I10 to 101, not an interstate but a good road and a few miles around Ventura along the coast.
For rush hour in Phoenix take I8 to 85 to I10. Limited rush hour options in LA if any but one is to head up to the high dessert and 58. So avoid LA in rush hour, instead transit LA mid day or midnight.
Maybe one of the better LA rush routes is 210 to I5 or to 118 to 101. I'll leave that to the locals to suggest a route.
Or you could consider I8 to SD early mid day, I5, I405 and either 101 or I5.