I40 from east to Moab UT

[markb5900]

Hi all,
We are planning the spring trip along with everyone else.
Hoping to be there sometime the last week of April
We will be coming across I40 from east to west and trying to decide the best place to turn north to get to the Moab area.
Looking at weather that time of year looks like maybe Gallop or go on over to Chambers AZ and take 191.
Anyone suggestions would be appreciated.

[Blackrock]

Both are good ways to go. The route through Chambers allows for a stop at the Ganado trading post and Canyon de Chelly at Chinle. Plan in an overnight around Gallup and this will work out well.
The road north out of Gallup is also a good way but no real scenery or interesting stops. Best way on this route is straight north thru Cortez and west to Monticello Ut.

[f5moab]

Yep, 491 from Gallup up to Cortez is about as exciting as watching grass grow.

[Blackrock]

Originally Posted by f5moab

Yep, 491 from Gallup up to Cortez is about as exciting as watching grass grow.

Yep, that's about the way it is in that part of the country.
It all depends on if you want to hammer through to Moab or do some touristy things along the way which route to take.

[reddiver]

Took the Gallup route 191 this past Thanksgiving. It is the fastest and the road has been greatly improved. Scenery not so hot but that might not be a deal breaker.

[fbconsults]

Originally Posted by markb5900

Hi all,
We are planning the spring trip along with everyone else.
Hoping to be there sometime the last week of April
We will be coming across I40 from east to west and trying to decide the best place to turn north to get to the Moab area.
Looking at weather that time of year looks like maybe Gallop or go on over to Chambers AZ and take 191.
Anyone suggestions would be appreciated.

Don't miss the opportunity to visit Monument Valley. Go to Flagstaff and go north on 89. Check your map, we stayed at the Goulding's RV Park just outside the monument. Nice campground with full hookups. There is a loop road through the valley that is accessible by any vehicle that will give you a good look into John Ford and John Wayne Country.

Happy Trails, Forrest

[seigell]

Originally Posted by fbconsults

Don't miss the opportunity to visit Monument Valley. Go to Flagstaff and go north on 89. Check your map, we stayed at the Goulding's RV Park just outside the monument. Nice campground with full hookups. There is a loop road through the valley that is accessible by any vehicle that will give you a good look into John Ford and John Wayne Country.

Monument Valle is GREAT and really worth the Visit. But, the routing suggested of I-40 to Flagstaff to Monument Valley is quite a bit extra Travel. Heading up from I-40 at Gallup or Chambers will save almost 200mi over hitting Flagstaff.

Now, if you were to still decide on Flagstaff, you could readily add the Grand Canyon South Rim for only 50mi more...

[seigell]

Monument Valley can also be done as a Day Trip from Moab - 140mi each way. Monument Valley is best done in the Afternoon, if you want to drive the Loop Road amongst the Rock Formations and have them in Sunshine instead of Shadow. (Works well with the Day Trip idea, too).

[seigell]

Originally Posted by reddiver

Took the Gallup route 191 this past Thanksgiving. It is the fastest and the road has been greatly improved. Scenery not so hot but that might not be a deal breaker.

The Highway between Gallup and Shiprock NM is 75% Divided 4-Lane, except for about 35-40 miles of 2-lane while they continue to construct the last part of the Divided Hwy. The Route North of Shiprock is still 2-Lane Hwy.

All of the older Highway Segments across the Navajo Reservation tend to be "rough" - not necessarily 100mi of potholes but rather whoop-ti-doos because the subsurface is Sand / Silt / Clay that doesn't hold a Roadbase too well. Whether Shiprock-Cortez on US491 or Chambers-Utah on US191, you'll want to ensure the Cupboard Doors are Latched...

[seigell]

Originally Posted by f5moab

Yep, 491 from Gallup up to Cortez is about as exciting as watching grass grow.

Cortez give you access to Mesa Verde National Park (40mi side trip). Usually considered "worth the dull approach"...

[keeprr]

Don't know anything about Utah but bring an extra pair drawers coming through Oklahoma in April. Have a good weather radio and pay close attention as you will be in OK during prime tornado season. I' from the East Coast and I have not gotten use to the spring weather on Ok. Nerve racking!

[lmiken]

April and May are the windy months in New Mexico. You can get some pretty good head winds from Amarillo to Gallup. Rocking and rolling and eats up the fuel mileage.

[mnoland30]

We live in Albuq. and google maps shows using hwy 550, but depending on the time of day, the traffic in the Farmington area can really slow you down. We take I-40 to Gallup and go north to Shiprock. Ugly scenery, but not a bad two lane road. Stay off of it on Friday and Saturday night. Lots of drunks in NM. Hwy 550 is a great 4 lane highway and has better scenery, so it doesn't make too much difference. Chambers AZ is way out of your way.

[DKRITTER]

What about 550 out of ABQ to Gallup?

[mnoland30]

I wasn't clear about the route. From Albuq. go N on I-25 about 20 miles to exit 242 in Bernalillo to catch 550. Monument Valley, and Valley of the Gods are both worth the side trips. Valley of the Gods is a dirt road.