Route 89A Sedona to Flagstaff

[genekiwi]

Trying to avoid the 18 mile climb u- Route 17 and looking at 89A.

Looks like a curvy road.

Trailer is 32 feet.

does this road have sharp curves and steep grades?

Thanks for any info.

Coming down 17 was fine. Just don't want to do the climb if I don't have too.

[2gypsies1]

...and thank YOU for coming back with a report. Wish more folks would do that. We try to solve problems here but rarely know how the issue turns out. Continue on that good trip!

[genekiwi]

Thanks for all the info. We made the climb very easily. Surprised at how well the 1500 took the hill climbing.

The drive to the North rim was fantastic. Couldn't believe the scenery.

[genekiwi]

Parts of 89A are closed right now because of the fire in Slide Canyon.

Closed somewhere north of Sedona. Did a trip to Sedona yesterday and enjoyed that scenery.

DW just reminded me that we pulled our 23B Kiwi hybrid over 89A about 10 years ago and she remembers it as not being fun. Being younger, she remembers more than I do. 🙂

[GKU]

We were there in late April, there is no way that I would drive my 38 ft Tiffin on 89A. We took I-17 and had no problem, a little slow but OK.

89A has many sharp cutbacks some along mountain walls no room for error. That being said if you get the opportunity to drive it with your toad you should it is beautiful scenery.

[JohnG3]

Did that a few years ago with a UHaul box van pulling a car carrier with an older Mustang on board. Even with a rig that short (compaired to your rig), it was not easy. Suggest I-17. If you want to avoid the roundabouts, take 89A to Cornville and hit 17 there. Gives you a running start for the grade. Did a Streets and Trips using that route and the roundabouts and it was only a couple miles further. Well worth it to avoid the RAB's

[genekiwi]

Desert Captain wrote:
What is wrong with your 3/4 ton truck? I-17 is a 6% grade that is nowhere near 18 miles long, two lanes with shoulder both directions. You do not want to try 89A which is a twisting, windy two lane with very sharp switchbacks. You can't get from Sedona to Flagstaff without doing the climb so why not do it the
safe way on I-17?
:h

captain

I need to figure out how to change my sig line.

I now have a 1500 with a Heartland 26RLS.

Truck has been doing a great job on the roads so far. Just wanted to see if there was an easier way.

came down 17 without any problems. Grade braking worked great but that is going to be a long pull and I guess I will be leaving early to avoid pulling in the heat.

[Desert_Captain]

Lead dog, the grade is intermittent, not 6 % the entire 18 miles. IIRC there is a section going up that lasts about 9 miles, yes it is a hump,no doubt about it but doing the climb on I17 should hold no terror. Ten + mile 6+% grades are pretty common out here.

:C

[epiphone]

We are there this past week. 89a is closed from flagstaff to sedona. You need to use I 17 then take 89a north. There is a fire up north and road construction. We found out the hard way.

[johnrbd]

When we made the trip to Flagstaff from Sedona, we suffered "pucker cramps". I would compare our cramps to those suffered from LeBron during Gm 1 of NBA finals.

Do youself a favor and take 17!!!

[paulj]

One way or the other you have to make the climb, given the altitude difference between the 2 cities. In almost all cases, a freeway will have the gentlest grades.

[leaddog]

Desert Captain

We just left Camp Verde this morning heading south to Tucson. No problem for us, but I-17 does have signs saying 18 mile grade at 6% coming down from Flagstaff.

89A north out of Sedona was still closed on Sunday due to the forest fire. Not sure when it will be reopened. I would NOT try that route heading north due to sharp curves, switch backs, steep grades, etc. I agree with you that I-17 is the way to go.

[Desert_Captain]

What is wrong with your 3/4 ton truck? I-17 is a 6% grade that is nowhere near 18 miles long, two lanes with shoulder both directions. You do not want to try 89A which is a twisting, windy two lane with very sharp switchbacks. You can't get from Sedona to Flagstaff without doing the climb so why not do it the
safe way on I-17?
:h

[bgum]

89A would be a hard climb with a RV. We drove it going down and it had some sharp switchbacks and was steep. We were driving a 35ft MH and pulling a Wrangler. I would not choose to do it again.

[genekiwi]

Thank you for all the replies.

Dw and I did some more internet research.

It looks lie I17 is my only way. 89 limits the size to 50 feet. With truck and trailer, I am about 52 feet.