Traveling from Michigan to Arizona in late November

[Summrbrzz]

Any route advice for traveling from Michigan to Arizona in late November? Should we go I-40 or drop down further to I-20 and I-10 to avoid any snow or ice? Which route has the best RV stopping points, .i.e., campgrounds, Walmart's, scenic areas? This will be our first trip west in 10 years. We have a big rig. Thanks.

[Thunder_Mountai]

Weather shouldn't really be a big concern in November. Just watch the various state DOT sites and weather information of your choice. There are plenty of places to stay the night. The ground will still be warm enough to melt snow very quickly.

I hate I40. Many times between Albuquerque and Flagstaff you will see almost as many semis as cars. The condition of the road is absolutely horrible. If there is any bad weather you will find it on I40 especially as you approach Flagstaff. We have started taking I25 from Albuquerque south to I10. I25 is almost deserted especially semis. We cut across from Hatch, NM to Deming, NM. Dream Catcher RV park in Deming is a good spot to stop.

Each year, it seems we leave a bit earlier. Tired of watching the weather after Thanksgiving to find a window coming out of Colorado's high country. This year we are leaving about November 10. First stop is Tucson for about 10 days. Not sure where we land next. December in Yuma. January in Apache Junction. February till mid March in Wickenburg.

[Snomas]

We've traveled from Colorado to AZ: 1-25 to I-40 west to I-17 south at least a dozen times. Its never a problem except when snow is in the forecast. We just ck the weather in advance and then go for it. Only had to go to I-10 once in 10 years. Flagstaff is beautiful all year around. Of course we love the mountains and forest and now live in the Coconino national forest in Sedona.

[tinkerer]

We have traveled to Arizona from Wisconsin for 10 years now in December. We watch the weather but generally don't have many problems as we take I80 to I35 in Des Moines to head south. At Wichita we decide whether we continue on I35 to I40 or take hwy 400 (54) to Tucumcari NM and pick up I40 to Flagstaff then I17 south. Watch the weather in Flagstaff as they can get some nasty snowstorms. One advantage of a MH is you can hole up and wait until roads are safe to travel. Myself I wont't travel when the road become risky. Just isn't worth the risk in my opinion.

[wa8yxm]

You may have heard of the "Mason/Dixon" line. Well the line you need to worry about is the Freeze/Thaw line .I'd go south then west. IN fact,, I DID,

[Chum_lee]

To the OP. You haven't said anything about what might interest you (all) en route. That changes everything. (at least for me) Getting there is one thing. (that's why I got my pilots license) Now, . . . enjoying the trip in an RV, that's another.

Chum lee

[Bill_Satellite]

Summrbrzz wrote:
Any route advice for traveling from Michigan to Arizona in late November? Should we go I-40 or drop down further to I-20 and I-10 to avoid any snow or ice? Which route has the best RV stopping points, .i.e., campgrounds, Walmart's, scenic areas? This will be our first trip west in 10 years. We have a big rig. Thanks.

The only route advice is watch the weather and take the most appropriate route. I love the drive up to Flagstaff and the things to do along the away as well as in Flagstaff and the drive down the hill to Phoenix is steep but easy to deal with as long as it's dry.
If there is snow in the forecast then you go directly South to 10W and the rest is easy. If it's supposed to be 60-70 along any route you choose then take any route you please.

[Summrbrzz]

Thanks Hoosier Cruiser. I assume you travel late November? Sounds like a good route.

Summrbrz

[Hoosier_Cruiser]

We have traveled to Surprise, AZ every year since 2002. When heading toward AZ, we take I70 to I44 to the Kilpatrick Tollway around Oklahoma City to I40 to I17 to 303 loop to Surprise. At Effingham, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, and Albuquerque; I check several weather apps on my iPhone to check weather. Once at Amarillo there was a sign that the Texas-NM line was closed due to ice in NM, so we turned south and went through El Paso. Another time Flagstaff showed clear. When we got to Surprise the TV said that El Paso had 11 inches of snow. April first returning home, Albuquerque got 7 inches of freezing slush. Going south adds 200+ miles to the trip. Plan your route and check weather frequently.

[Summrbrzz]

Thanks everyone for this continuous flow of thoughtful advice! We are getting more excited about our adventure with each post we receive. Matt, you are correct in that we would suffer no real hardship in our Dynasty. Dropping below I-40 is sounding more and more like the way to proceed...

[Matt_Colie]

Summr,

You have lots of good advise here, but the most important to me was part of what Gordon dropped on you.

"Wait it out."

We used to travel that time of year all the time. The grandparents are gone so there is no longer a reason, so we don't.

You have a self contained coach. Maintain provisions for three days. (If the SHTF real bad, you may want to hold up for two - we did once - The third is just for comfort.) It was kind of fun to sit in out warm comfortable cab and watch people struggle.

I am a pilot of aircraft and ships. It is well known that "pushing weather" is a way get search and rescue involved.

Matt

[TechWriter]

2gypsies wrote:
Late November I wouldn't take I-40 across. Drop down and come into Arizona on I-10. There are many routes to do this. You probably won't be visiting friends in northern Arizona anyway... are you?

x2

[2gypsies1]

Late November I wouldn't take I-40 across. Drop down and come into Arizona on I-10. There are many routes to do this. You probably won't be visiting friends in northern Arizona anyway... are you?

[GordonThree]

The Northern roads have equipment and training to deal with weather, the southern roads just wait it out.

[Summrbrzz]

Wow! Appreciate all of this great advice. Now we have info to work with. We ran into a bad ice storm years ago on I-40 west in OK. Practically shook our previous rig apart. We have friends in many parts of AZ, so we're not particular where we enter the state. Just looking for a smooth and safe journey. Thanks again!!