Driving Route Albuquerque to Phoenix (Gallup, Deming: live in, cost of, vs)

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by trailtramp

... yes would love to know what the drive time was.

My records of driving time ony are as follows:
=============================================
From Albuquerque ( Big I ) to Holbrook
------------------------------------------------------
3:13 -- 3:35 -- 3:28 -- 3:17 -- 3:43 ==> average = 3:27

Holbrook to Heber
-----------------
1:04 -- 0:59 -- 1:12 ==> average = 1:05

Heber to Payson
-----------------
0:59 -- 1:04 -- 1:04 ==> average = 1:02

Payson to Rt-202
-----------------
1:08 - 1:09 - 1:10 - 1:06 - 1:10 ==> average = 1:08
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sum of the averages is 06:42 driving time.
I generally stopped and rested, so I might have
taken an average of 08:30 or so for the whole trip.

Just to get off the freeway and pull into a gas station can
take 15 minutes sometimes. Then you have to get gas and pee.
I almost always stopped at Starbucks in the Payson Safeway.
I was never in a hurry, so that's an easy 30 minutes stop.
===============================================
For the I-17 route:

Holbrook to I-40/I-17 interchange
--------------------------------
1:12 -- 1:13 -- 1:13 ==> average = 1:12

I-40/I-17 interchange to Rt-101/I-17 stack
-----------------------------------------
1:43 -- 1:44 -- 1:42 ==> average = 1:43
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The sum of the averages above is 06:22 driving time. For 20 minutes
shorter travel time, it wasn't worth it to me. Also, I lived in
South Chandler, so going from the I-17/Rt-101 stack took an hour
vs about 1/2 hour from the Rt-202/Rt-87 junction.
================================================== =
As Billygoat the Kid correctly notes, you can make much better
time on I-40/I-17 if you are willing to go 80. I only would go
the 75 mph speed limit. On the two-lane roads, I only pass if
the person ahead is going less than 60 if I know I'm going to
get an easy passing opportunity later.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by Skyszlimit

we would be looking for fastest, safest routes and considering the time of year/weather wise.. Sometime later, we'll plan a more leisurely trek
.
.
.
.
1) 1-40 West to 1- 17 South into Phoenix

None of the discussion has made me change my mind. I still would choose "1-40 West to 1- 17 South into Phoenix"


Rich

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by Poncho_NM

None of the discussion has made me change my mind.

Your route is actually the easiest to navigate.

===> Two roads - that's all.

I like to mix it up:

I didn't mention Rt-60 vs. Rt-260 after Show Low.
I didn't mention Rt-60 through NM instead of I-40.
There is also the Rt-191 through Eager.

A great backcountry road is Catron Co. Rd. A083
when you turn of Rt-60 and go through Pie Town.

[Skyszlimit]

[quote=mortimer;11722280]My records of driving time ony are as follows:
=============================================


Thank you Mortimer!! I really appreciate all of your route detailing- I'm sure others are also happy to see your route alternative to the I-40/I-17 route!

Skysz..

[Billygoat the Kid]

Originally Posted by mortimer

================================================== =
As Billygoat the Kid correctly notes, you can make much better
time on I-40/I-17 if you are willing to go 80. I only would go
the 75 mph speed limit. On the two-lane roads, I only pass if
the person ahead is going less than 60 if I know I'm going to
get an easy passing opportunity later.

I honestly do not know how fast we were going, as I was not the one driving. I will say that only one person passed us the entire way, if that makes any difference.


--BtK

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by Billygoat the Leadfoot Kid

... only one person passed us the entire way,

That would be the guy going 110 mph. Probably Zoidberg.

Originally Posted by Billygoat the Kid

... if that makes any difference. ....

It confirms my suspicions.

You really can't make good time on my route.
It's all about stress-relief for me.

If I'm going to be on the road for 6 hours, then adding a couple more with
stops and less trucks and other traffic and better scenery is my choice.

I'm glad that most people don't agree with me. ( Less traffic )

[Billygoat the Kid]

Originally Posted by mortimer

That would be the guy going 110 mph. Probably Zoidberg.

Couldn't be. Doesn't Zoidberg drive a Pinto?

Originally Posted by mortimer

It confirms my suspicions.

You really can't make good time on my route.
It's all about stress-relief for me.

If I'm going to be on the road for 6 hours, then adding a couple more with
stops and less trucks and other traffic and better scenery is my choice.

I'm glad that most people don't agree with me. ( Less traffic )

So, I guess the I-40 to I-17 route is the fastest, but not the most scenic nor the one with the least traffic?


--BtK

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by Billygoat the Kid

I-40 to I-17 route is the fastest, ...

In perfect conditions, at the speed limit, yes but not enough
to make me want to take it.

In pedal-to-the-metal mode, much faster, but I don't
do that, and I suspect most people don't.

If you get stopped in the middle of I-40 between Winslow and
Flagstaff or on I-17 in many places - especially in the Northern
stretches of Phoenix, it will take longer.

The same can be said for some portions of the Beeline Highway.
I've never experienced that on the Payson route, but have done
so more than once on the Flagstaff route.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by karmathecat

I'm not sure that anyone's discussed the route we take...I-40 W to Winslow, 87 S to 260 and then over to I-17 at Camp Verde ( and take General Crook's Trail up to I-17 )
What I don't like about Payson-Show Low is that you wind up approaching the PHX metro area from the east...excellent if you are going to Snottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, etc. but since we are headed to far West PHX ( actually Glendale ) , we like coming in as far west as we can, and I-17 is about it.
The other reason we chose this route, is that it affords us a valid excuse for eating at the Turquoise Room in Winslow.

I agree, but it is a nice drive.

Nita

[mortimer]

Weather update:

It is predicted that a low pressure cell is going to be parked
at the Southern end of the Arizona/New Mexico border this
Saturday and Sunday which will cause snow and heavy snow
in the high country of Arizona and New Mexico.

Remember that Southern route discussed earlier?
The one where you drive back to Albuquerque via Tucson?

=====> Take that way coming home.

I wouldn't want to be driving through Flagstaff, Holbrook,
Gallup, or Grants after Saturday afternoon based on the
current weather forecast.