Portland to Phoenix route other than I5/I10

old guy wrote:
am heading down on the 9th of March. I am going through Twin Falls over to Wells and Ely Nv. not much to see unless you really love to see desert. I always drive this route in my sleep about three weeks before I actually leave. My friend in Yuma called last night and wanted to know how far I got in my sleep the other night. Some times we go through SLC Ut to be sure we are close to medical facilities and or gas stations.

I took something close to this route once coming from AZ back to Portland and it was a nice change from the I5/I10. It was years ago and I wasn't driving an RV so I can't speak to it's worthiness while in a class A. Also, as mentioned, it's boring but that's kind of what I was looking for. I seem to remember going through part of southern Utah before cutting over the eastern NV and the area was absolutely beautiful. Within a few hours it's fun to watch it change from forest to desert.

Eugene take hwy 58 to Reno, to Las Vegas, to Phoenix. Is this a good drive? Interesting? Or to be avoided at all costs? We like the desert so not afraid of big views and long roads. We would like to avoid exhaustive switchbacks at 5mph on 12% grades. :-)

That looks like a good route to me, although I have not driven any of the Eugene to Reno route. From Reno to Las Vegas on I-80, A50, and 95 section be sure to watch your gas and fill up at Tonopah. It is a long way between stations but has some great desert scenery. Las Vegas to Phoenix on 95 is an easy road with plenty of places to fill up, sight see, eat, etc. 95 after you leave Kingman, AZ and turn off of I-40 is foothills driving. Not to twisty, but not super long straights either.

You could stay on I-40 and go up to Flagstaff to catch I-17 down to Phoenix if you are tired of 2 lane roads by then. I-40 goes up from Kingman to Flagstaff and the temp drops accordingly. Lots of info on things to do along that piece of I-40 if you choose that way.

TyroneandGladys wrote:
From Reno go to Lake Tahoe then 395 to I 40 then to either Lake Havasu State Park or Buckskin State Park ,both are Arizona State Parks. Then on to Phoenix.

I'm really confused on this one. You can't get to Lake Tahoe "out of Reno". You have to take 395 down to Carson City then Hwy 50 over to Lake Tahoe. And....395 doesn't go through Lake Tahoe at all....but it would be a good side trip while going down 395.

Next, 395 doesn't intersect with I40. You have to turn off of 395 at kramer junction onto Hwy 58 and go over to I-15 and then to I-40. Also, I-40 doesn't go through either Lake Havasue or Buckskin.

Unless you are generalizing, you left out a lot of pertinent information which could be very confusing to the OP if he isn't familiar with this area.

Ron

From Reno go to Lake Tahoe then 395 to I 40 then to either Lake Havasu State Park or Buckskin State Park ,both are Arizona State Parks. Then on to Phoenix.

am heading down on the 9th of March. I am going through Twin Falls over to Wells and Ely Nv. not much to see unless you really love to see desert. I always drive this route in my sleep about three weeks before I actually leave. My friend in Yuma called last night and wanted to know how far I got in my sleep the other night. Some times we go through SLC Ut to be sure we are close to medical facilities and or gas stations.

58/KFalls/395 is beautiful.

I also like to go through eastern Oregon, Boise, Winnemucca, Elko. You could hit Zion national park :).

Here are some trips we have taken mileage and routes are from Fallon NV, once you get to Fallon take 95 south to Las Vegas or at Reno take 395 south to I-10

Fallon To Beaverton Extended Stay America Via Klamath Falls & Oakridge 617 Miles
Total
Fallon to Alturas 227 227
Our route: 50 & alt 50 W, 80 W, 395 N, County cut off A3, & 395 N
On 395 before you get to County road A-3 there is a very nice CA rest stop
Alturas to K-Falls 100 337
Our route: 139 N, & 39 N.
K-Falls to Hwy 58 via 97 N 81 418
Hwy 58 to Oakridge 51 469
Oakridge to hwy 217 (exit 292) via58 & I-5 136 605
Exit 292 to ESA Beaverton 12 617

This is a interesting route
Fallon To Beaverton Extended Stay America Via Susanville & Mount Shasta 638 Miles
Trip
Fallon to Hat Creek 201 201
Hat Creek to Yreka 109 310
Our route: 50 & alt 50 W, 80 W, 395 N, 36 W, 44N, 89 N & I-5 N.
Yreka to CA/OR Line I-5 24 334
OR Line to Medford 24 358
Medford to Hwy 217 (exit 292) 268 626
217 to ESA Beaverton 12 638

Extended Stay in Beaverton was close to my parents assisted living place.
Remember to check the weather since it is March. Have made similar trips many times in MH with toad or toad only. Dick

OR58 is a state highway, not a forest service gravel road.

There are lots of good roads from I5 to US97. Take your pick.

58 to Reno? A lot of different routes are available this way, and we have taken most. These are good highways and very scenic. Will take much longer.

If time is not an issue, 58 to 97, south to Klamath Falls, and then 39-139 down to Susanville and then 395 over to Reno.

However, have you thought of 84 out of Portland to Salt Lake City and Hwy I-15. South to Las Vegas and then 95 to Kingman and then I-10 to Phoenix?

I-5 and I-10 is probably the fastest, but not by much and you have to go through LA....not good.

Hope this helps

Ron