Highway 89a in Arizona

[cfrudolphy]

We are planning a trip to NM, AZ, UT, CO, OK this September. We pull a Flagstaff ePro 19FD.

I just read a blog post that characterized AZ 89a as one of the most dangerous roads in the US for RV travel.

We are going to be staying in Flagstaff for 4 nights then head to Fredonia for 4 nights. Google takes me via AZ 89a.

Anyone out there with experience with this road? Is it as dangerous as the blog post makes it out to be? Any suggestions of an alternate route?

Would appreciate any feedback based on experience travelling this road.

[ccleaming]

We drove 89A in our Georgetown GT5 from Kanab, UT through Fredonia to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, then south through Marble Canyon to where it connects to Hwy 89 heading to Flagstaff without a problem. It's a healthy climb and descent from the turn off to the Grand Canyon whichever way you travel it. On a related subject, I would never try to drive the section of 89A heading south from Flagstaff to Sedona with an RV. It's scary in a car.

[cfrudolphy]

Originally Posted by ccleaming

We drove 89A in our Georgetown GT5 from Kanab, UT through Fredonia to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, then south through Marble Canyon to where it connects to Hwy 89 heading to Flagstaff without a problem. It's a healthy climb and descent from the turn off to the Grand Canyon whichever way you travel it. On a related subject, I would never try to drive the section of 89A heading south from Flagstaff to Sedona with an RV. It's scary in a car.

Thanks for your input. We are coming in to Flagstaff from the east on I40 after spending a day at Petrified Forest NP in Holbrook. We want to go down to Sedona but plan on making that a day trip from Flagstaff so wouldn't be pulling our trailer.

The blog post I read didn't specify which part of 89a is so dangerous. Based on your comments it is south between Flagstaff and Sedona, not North up to Fredonia.

Thank you I really appreciate your experience!

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by ccleaming

On a related subject, I would never try to drive it heading south from Flagstaff to Sedona with an RV. It's scary in a car.

It's been a few years, but I agree. We drove it in our Tundra and never did get to stop in Sedona. Couldn't fit our truck in the parking spots. If I remember correctly, part of it was a white knuckle drive in the truck. We couldn't have made it towing a trailer.
They do have some beautiful overlooks though.

[cfrudolphy]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

It's been a few years, but I agree. We drove it in our Tundra and never did get to stop in Sedona. Couldn't fit our truck in the parking spots. If I remember correctly, part of it was a white knuckle drive in the truck. We couldn't have made it towing a trailer.
They do have some beautiful overlooks though.

Thanks for your reply. It is good to confirm conditions for 89a.

Regards
Chuck

[OrthoMechanical]

I live in Arizona and have driven that part of 89A south of Flagstaff to Sedona and the other direction several times with my e-Pro 16bh. It was not an issue at all and it wasn't difficult or even scary. They have widened the curves and road significantly in recent years, so it is not nearly as scary as it used to be. The drive is well worth it.

[CHICKDOE]

i believe there is road construction on 89a (oak creek canyon) with only one lane open between flagstaff and sedona i don't know if it will be completed by september. you may want to check on this. the alternative would be to take i-17 south to the sedona exit. the northern part of 89a to fredonia is used by rv's all day long!

[Mgtv53]

Originally Posted by cfrudolphy

Thanks for your input. We are coming in to Flagstaff from the east on I40 after spending a day at Petrified Forest NP in Holbrook. We want to go down to Sedona but plan on making that a day trip from Flagstaff so wouldn't be pulling our trailer.

The blog post I read didn't specify which part of 89a is so dangerous. Based on your comments it is south between Flagstaff and Sedona, not North up to Fredonia.

Thank you I really appreciate your experience!

I drove in 24’ class c + from flagstaff to Sedona, yes it is little ruff but I would not go any bigger I don’t recommend pulling trailer.

[ppine]

Windy, up and down, lots of traffic and very scenic.
It is a difficult road to tow on.
Years ago I drove it every day. But that was before it had gotten so popular.
I drive around Sedona now.

[ChrisPBacon]

Originally Posted by cfrudolphy

We are planning a trip to NM, AZ, UT, CO, OK this September. We pull a Flagstaff ePro 19FD.

I just read a blog post that characterized AZ 89a as one of the most dangerous roads in the US for RV travel.

We are going to be staying in Flagstaff for 4 nights then head to Fredonia for 4 nights. Google takes me via AZ 89a.

Anyone out there with experience with this road? Is it as dangerous as the blog post makes it out to be? Any suggestions of an alternate route?

Would appreciate any feedback based on experience travelling this road.

I frequently drive 89A between Prescott and Flagstaff, and driving an AWD Acura through the curves going into Sedona from both directions, it can be challenging — especially in the steepest terrain where the curves are tight, roads are narrow, shoulders are marginal, and there’s always a lot of impatient drivers. I’ve driven it once in my Dodge truck and found the ride was hairy, done 10-15 mph less than I’d do it in my Acura: if there’s a lot of wind, it will be worse.

In addition: watch for traffic in Sedona. It’s much too crowded (year-around) and people drive insanely, seemingly to beat others to a parking space that’s opened. Stop signs on side roads off 89A going through town mean little, so expect to drive defensively.

As bad as the driving is, prices are worse.

[CHICKDOE]

there are two sections of 89a. the southen section between flagstaff and sedona has recived all the comments and is not a recommended rv route. the northern section joins 89 south of page and goes to fredonia, skirts kanab, and goes to colorado city. there is nothing abnormal about this section of 89a. just lots of open country that is fine for rv's. in fact we will be towing our 41+ foot fifth wheel on it in early october on our return trip from zion.

[Mgtv53]

Originally Posted by ChrisPBacon

I frequently drive 89A between Prescott and Flagstaff, and driving an AWD Acura through the curves going into Sedona from both directions, it can be challenging — especially in the steepest terrain where the curves are tight, roads are narrow, shoulders are marginal, and there’s always a lot of impatient drivers. I’ve driven it once in my Dodge truck and found the ride was hairy, done 10-15 mph less than I’d do it in my Acura: if there’s a lot of wind, it will be worse.

In addition: watch for traffic in Sedona. It’s much too crowded (year-around) and people drive insanely, seemingly to beat others to a parking space that’s opened. Stop signs on side roads off 89A going through town mean little, so expect to drive defensively.

As bad as the driving is, prices are worse.

I drove from flagstaff to Sedona in a 25 ft motor home , yes the the road is tight but I mad it ,the campground in Sedona recommend it.