Arizona Help

hrqueen · 10-10-2018, 09:59 PM

Hello: We have been traveling out west with helpful hints thru MN, ND, MT, WY and now in Utah. We have done so much mountain driving - the drive from Moran to Vernal was really a scary one - especially since we have been running into cold weather & snow!

We will soon be staying at Trailer Village RV Park at the Grand Canyon. Can anyone advise the best roads to take to get down to 40? Better to take 64 or 89 or 180? How are the roads around Flagstaff? The less mountain climbs the better...
thanks so much for advise.

Blackrock · 10-11-2018, 09:50 AM

That run from Flaming Gorge to Vernal is a wild one for sure. I had a big Dodge dually 3500 pulling a gooseneck flatbed pass me going down. About three miles later he was in the ditch still upright but man the brake smoke was still rolling out.

Not to worry. The area around the Grand Canyon is nowhere near as bad as what you have been through. Hiway 64 is your best route down to 40. I assume you are coming down 89 and taking 64 to the canyon. It's our Arizona high country but the roads are all good. If you are going on down south on I-17 there are some grades but it is all good interstate.

JohnD10 · 10-11-2018, 10:14 AM

Take 64 from the south rim down to I-40 and you'll be all set.

Very easy drive.

Also, the drive on 180 from 64 is also a piece of cake.

Just made both of those drives (without camper) about a month ago.

CHICKDOE · 10-11-2018, 10:36 AM

any of those routes are an easy drive. i would recommend 64 down to williams and i-40. if you take 180 you will have to go through some city streets in flagstaff. same with 89 but not as bad. if youu get on i-40 at williams will be on interstates through flagstaff.

hrqueen · 10-11-2018, 10:54 AM

thanks makes me feel better! We didn't know how going thru Flagstaff would be. We are now in Vernal - going to Moab for a few days. They tell me 191 all the way is not too bad except one high pass. So we would be going to the grand canyon from Moab 191? to 163 - to 64 & in.

We have never seen any of this before & never really pulled our 5th wheel thru mountains so it has been an experience but such BEAUTY - just amazing!

Really appreciate it.

richp · 10-11-2018, 01:19 PM

Hi,

The altitude at Flagstaff is such that you should be prepared to watch road conditions carefully. I will spare you my stories...

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

CHICKDOE · 10-11-2018, 03:35 PM

yes, we were just at grand canyon last week and it got snow. flagstaff got about 6 inches. but it melts real fast. just check the weather and you'll be just fine. watch out for the elk at trailer village.

Blackrock · 10-11-2018, 05:50 PM

You are going to have a pretty stiff pull and some steep grades on 191 between Duchesne and Helper. After you leave Price Ut. it's good sailing to Moab. Maybe top off your gas in Green River as it's a little cheaper than Moab.

elchilero53 · 10-13-2018, 02:54 PM

The highway down from Duchesne is good until the downhill to Castle Gate, which is steep. That pass also gets a lot snow. An alternative way is to go east on US 40 to Colorado 64 at Rangely then out to Meeker then south to Rifle on Colorado 13 to I-70. This is a long way around, but the only safe route if it is snowing heavily in the passes. Be prepared for winter weather conditions going south. There is a major cold front moving south and hopefully you will miss the snow. We are expecting snow in the Amarillo area and the Teas Panhandle tonight and tomorrow (as well as northeast New Mexico, southeast Colorado, and the western panhandle of Oklahoma). Winter is making an early appearance this year.

elchilero53 · 10-13-2018, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackrock

You are going to have a pretty stiff pull and some steep grades on 191 between Duchesne and Helper. After you leave Price Ut. it's good sailing to Moab. Maybe top off your gas in Green River as it's a little cheaper than Moab.

Good advice but the gas is only slightly more expensive now that the touristas have mostly gone home.

hrqueen · 10-13-2018, 09:55 PM

Thanks elchileri53 we r leaving tomorrow am & there is a cold front & possible snow in the area of the pass on 191 your suggestion looks really good & how we now plan to go.
We have had temps of around 20 below average the campgrounds r empty & they r expecting early winter & lots of snow this year.
Thanks

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