Need info on route to Prescott thru skull valley (Phoenix: travel, homes)

[Tammye]

Hey everyone, I need some input on the route at Kirkland junction going through skull valley into Prescott. How many lanes, is it a scary drive with twisty and NARROW roads??? We are coming up in a 23 ft Class C Rv from CA.

ANY SUGGESTIONS...PICS....WOULD BE AWESOME!!!!

[Rich V]

Nice road, semi trucks have no problems using it so should be fine for an RV. There is a good sized hill on Iron Springs rd as you approach Prescott but other than that an easy drive.

[Tammye]

Thanks Rich! So its nothing like the 89 heading in from the south then?

What about taking the 89 at Ash Fork from the I-40?? Whats that like?

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by Tammye

Thanks Rich! So its nothing like the 89 heading in from the south then?

What about taking the 89 at Ash Fork from the I-40?? Whats that like?

That's a nice road, too. Usually not much traffic. Really, about the only "bad" way into town is Hwy 89 from Kirkland Jct on into Prescott. It's scenic, but very twisty, turny. Either of the other routes (through Skull Valley, or I-40 from Ash Fork) are very easy drives. Just choose whichever one is closer for you.

[Tammye]

The skull valley route does take about 100 miles of my route!
With the cost of fuel that would be nice to save that!

Can a vehicle towing a small travel trailer make that skull valley route easy as well?? My Mom in Phoenix is joining us and that is what she is pulling.

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by Tammye

The skull valley route does take about 100 miles of my route!
With the cost of fuel that would be nice to save that!

Can a vehicle towing a small travel trailer make that skull valley route easy as well?? My Mom in Phoenix is joining us and that is what she is pulling.

Should be no problem. I-17 actually has much worse "hills" around Black Canyon City and Camp Verde. If your mom has travelled those pulling her trailer, then she won't have a bit of trouble.

[Tammye]

They haven't pulled it up there yet! They just got it. They have been up there to Prescott before.
What is the weather like up there right now? Temps??

[esselcue]

Hwy 89 through Skull Valley is a good road and very scenic, especially right now since all the rains we've had. When you are coming into Prescott take the Williamson Valley road turnoff (left turn) and follow Williamson Valley Road (trees, homes, ranchettes) to the signal, which is Pioneer Parkway. Turn onto the parkway (89A) and stay on it all the way to Prescott Valley. Nice, quick, four lane highway.

[Rich V]

Originally Posted by Tammye

Thanks Rich! So its nothing like the 89 heading in from the south then?

What about taking the 89 at Ash Fork from the I-40?? Whats that like?

Rt 89 from Kirkland into Prescott is very scenic and my preferred route from the south but the section of 89 going thru the Bradshaw Mountains is a very winding and a somewhat steep drive but I do see a lot of RVs on that section so it is doable. If you want to avoid it your choice of Kirkland to Skull Valley will be a better route. Coming from the north on I-40 via Ash Fork is a very pleasant drive with some great vistas of the Mingus and Granite mountains, it's also all down hill from Ash Fork to Paulden.

[ScoutAZ]

The Skull Valley route is much much better then 89 from Kirkland Junction (which is the cutoff to Skull Valley) to Prescott, but would recommend you take the I-17 north out of Phoenix to 69 at Cordes Junction. Going up the hill from Congress to Yarnell I think would be very difficult as well. The road from Skull Valley to Prescott is 2 lanes only, but exceptionally narrow as well.

Avoid downtown Phoenix traffic by taking Hwy 101 on the west side north and then east to the I-17.

Agree with others who say that the road through Skull Valley is the prettiest way to get to Prescott.

Temps in Prescott are mid 80's to mid 90's this time of year