Road tips driving to UTAH

[TexasChaps]

We will be camping in Panguitch,UT this fall, does anyone have any tips for driving from Albuquerque NM.. I was thinking of two different routes.

1. Farmington, Page, Kanab, Panguitch
2. I40 to Flagstaff, Page, Kanab, Panguitch

has anyone done these routes, and if so, which would be the least stressful towing a TH.. any advice on roads to avoid etc..

thanks.

[TexasChaps]

I did check with UDOT and ADOT..

89T is fully paved and the detour route until 89 is repaired.
there are one lane restrictions on I40 between NM and Flagstaff.
no heavy delays.. so unless things change, that's my route..

thanks again.

[billkaufmann]

RCMAN46 wrote:
The return trip on I40 may not be the way to go. The last time I drove from the Arizona state line to Flagstaff I had some the worst chuck holes I have ever seen. Because of the heavy truck traffic you are unable to avoid the chuck holes.

Maybe the road has been repaired by now. Perhaps someone who has recently gone the East bound route can chime in.

If you do the I40 route I recommend turning north at Kingman and take US93 to Las Vegas. It is a good 4 lane highway most of the way.

They are repaving I40 as we speak near Ashfork. If I am heading East out of Kingman I take old RTE. 66 to Seligman. (stop at snowcap for great burger). RTE 66 is a much nicer ride with very few grades and no trucks

[billkaufmann]

TexasChaps wrote:

billkaufmann wrote:

RCMAN46 wrote:
The return trip on I40 may not be the way to go. The last time I drove from the Arizona state line to Flagstaff I had some the worst chuck holes I have ever seen. Because of the heavy truck traffic you are unable to avoid the chuck holes.

Maybe the road has been repaired by now. Perhaps someone who has recently gone the East bound route can chime in.

If you do the I40 route I recommend turning north at Kingman and take US93 to Las Vegas. It is a good 4 lane highway most of the way.

X2 Take 93 to Vegas and Utah 3 times a year.[/
quote]

so your suggesting I avoid US89/Page and drive further west to Vegas and then north on I15... some 220 miles out of my way ??

If road repairs are complete on 89, you should be fine.

[allcool]

Shadowman00 wrote:
Before you hit the road, I would check with ADOT, last year there was a land slide just South of Page that shut the highway down (anticipated over a year to repair highway) which would cause you to go OUT and around through the Grand Canyon area. It might be fixed by now, but something to consider. I had to go out and around on my Motorcycle, which wasn't horrible, but if your not anticipating it, could cause a headache.

Last week my buddy went from PHX to Lake Powell(Page) taking 89 towing a big boat. Road is fine, but I'm told there are some grades to deal with.

We were talking about his lake trip route because I'm towing to Saint Anthony for UTV Invasion end of July, taking 89. I'll be starting out from Phx taking 17 to 89 to 15. Just not sure if I should take 89a or stay on 89..?

[TexasChaps]

billkaufmann wrote:

RCMAN46 wrote:
The return trip on I40 may not be the way to go. The last time I drove from the Arizona state line to Flagstaff I had some the worst chuck holes I have ever seen. Because of the heavy truck traffic you are unable to avoid the chuck holes.

Maybe the road has been repaired by now. Perhaps someone who has recently gone the East bound route can chime in.

If you do the I40 route I recommend turning north at Kingman and take US93 to Las Vegas. It is a good 4 lane highway most of the way.

X2 Take 93 to Vegas and Utah 3 times a year.[/
quote]

so your suggesting I avoid US89/Page and drive further west to Vegas and then north on I15... some 220 miles out of my way ??

[billkaufmann]

RCMAN46 wrote:
The return trip on I40 may not be the way to go. The last time I drove from the Arizona state line to Flagstaff I had some the worst chuck holes I have ever seen. Because of the heavy truck traffic you are unable to avoid the chuck holes.

Maybe the road has been repaired by now. Perhaps someone who has recently gone the East bound route can chime in.

If you do the I40 route I recommend turning north at Kingman and take US93 to Las Vegas. It is a good 4 lane highway most of the way.

X2 Take 93 to Vegas and Utah 3 times a year.

[RCMAN46]

The return trip on I40 may not be the way to go. The last time I drove from the Arizona state line to Flagstaff I had some the worst chuck holes I have ever seen. Because of the heavy truck traffic you are unable to avoid the chuck holes.

Maybe the road has been repaired by now. Perhaps someone who has recently gone the East bound route can chime in.

If you do the I40 route I recommend turning north at Kingman and take US93 to Las Vegas. It is a good 4 lane highway most of the way.

[Shadowman00]

Before you hit the road, I would check with ADOT, last year there was a land slide just South of Page that shut the highway down (anticipated over a year to repair highway) which would cause you to go OUT and around through the Grand Canyon area. It might be fixed by now, but something to consider. I had to go out and around on my Motorcycle, which wasn't horrible, but if your not anticipating it, could cause a headache.

Otherwise you should be okay. There are some significant elevation changes between Kanab and Panguitch, but they are relatively slight pulls and with your set up will be fine. Great scenic road, I like that stretch. Page to Kanab, pretty flat and UNEVENTFUL. Williams to Page you have a few good pulls, but again, you should be fine. Enjoy the trip and stay safe.

[TexasChaps]

thank you for your replies..

I always try to get the heads up on any new route we have not traveled before... those books look interesting.. I will buy a set..
thanks for that tip...

also, we are "lightweights" compared to most here I think, pulling a KZ MXT20 just over 6000 lbs loaded with 1 motorcycle with my wife's Tundra 5.7L I fitted a Reese Pro WDH too and it's a remarkably stable setup..
we did over 5000 miles last year in the Yellowstone/Tetons area
without any issues.. this year we are planning to stay a week and visit Bryce and Zion then another week in Moab and do the Arches and Canyon Lands, then a few days in Grand Junction with friends before heading home. ( west of Houston ).

really starting to enjoy the whole rv scene..! 🙂

[epiphone]

Just drove the I 40 road and it was an easy drive.

[ReneeG]

We've taken your route 2 listed in both directions several times with no problem. At that time we ware towing a 32' TT, weighing in at 11K and being towed with a 99 F250 V10. With our current 35' fifth wheel, towed by an '11 F350 DRW Diesel, we would not hesitate. Fuel up in Flagstaff, then again at Jacob Lake before you drop down into Kanab, or fuel in Kanab. The gas station at Jacob Lake is easy in and out for any size of rig and it's a Chevron. In Kanab, you've got the same, but may be lower, I don't know. Either way, you've got plenty of places to fuel. As noted here though, having a Mountain Directory West is good to have. The climb from the Vermillion Cliffs area up to Jacob Lake is about 6% and winding, but it's do-able.

[Hap_Hazard]

TexasChaps

We made the trip you are planning just in reverse about three years ago (We traveled from Bryce N.P. south to Williams AZ). Our route was from Bryce (Highway 12 to 89). Highway 89 south to Kanab. We then headed East on 89 to Page then continued south on 89 to Flagstaff. At this point we turned west for Williams.

We have travelled East & West on Highway 40 and South on 17. I have no problem suggesting either of these route for you. I didn't see where in Texas your starting point was.

There were plenty of fuel stops and services along the way. It is desert and we were passing through in Sept. & Oct. In Kanab there is a great Western Movie Museum. Many (many) things to stop and see so take your time. There were no major hills.

Enjoy your trip.
Hap

[Bumpyroad]

follow your route in google earth. shows elevations, etc.
bumpy

[Dick_B]

Get Mountain Directory West as a reference.