Need help with driving route from Saint George UT to Tulsa OK (Flagstaff: motels, restaurants)

[crashingsucks]

I am moving at least half of our stuff in a 16' Budget truck from Saint George UT to Tulsa OK around the weekend of December 5th 2009. I have Googled, Map Quest etc etc and I am shown different routes. The shortest route takes me thru Utah down to Fredonia to Marble Canyon to Willow Springs on HWY 89 then to Tuba City on Hwy 160 then to Moenkopi to St. Michaels on Hwy 264 then onto HWY 40.

Another route takes me clear up to Colorado and across the US then back down to Tulsa?????

Is this the best/fastest route for a 16' truck? Is there going to be any snow in that area? And Is it ok to drive straight thru Navajo Reservation? and last question is there enough gas station on that route.

Any help would be great.

Thanks.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by crashingsucks

I am moving at least half of our stuff in a 16' Budget truck from Saint George UT to Tulsa OK around the weekend of December 5th 2009. I have Googled, Map Quest etc etc and I am shown different routes. The shortest route takes me thru Utah down to Fredonia to Marble Canyon to Willow Springs on HWY 89 then to Tuba City on Hwy 160 then to Moenkopi to St. Michaels on Hwy 264 then onto HWY 40.

Another route takes me clear up to Colorado and across the US then back down to Tulsa?????

Is this the best/fastest route for a 16' truck? Is there going to be any snow in that area? And Is it ok to drive straight thru Navajo Reservation? and last question is there enough gas station on that route.

Any help would be great.

Thanks.

I would take stay on 89 (don't take the turn to Tuba City) right on to Flagstaff and then follow I-40 east. I don't know how the back roads through the rez could be faster than that - shorter miles maybe but much longer time. 89 in Az is straight and fast with gas and stops spread out a bit but nothing to worry about.

[azdr0710]

don't do the CO route, of course...

as Ponderosa says, get yourself over to 89 south to Flagstaff, then I-40 east straight to OK...

there's an 89 and an 89A choice....you may want to do the Kanab/Lake Powell/Page option of 89 rather than the Fredonia/Jacob Lake/Marble Canyon choice...it's a newer, wider road (late 1950s rather than 1920s) and has much less climbing and less twisty sections....also, avoids possible weather issues up on the Kaibab Plateau....

I think you can get to Kanab via Colorado City/Pipe Springs out of St George on a decent non-hilly road....the Zion choice requires paying the Park fee and going thru a narrow tunnel on a very winding road to get to 89

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by crashingsucks

I am moving at least half of our stuff in a 16' Budget truck from Saint George UT to Tulsa OK around the weekend of December 5th 2009. I have Googled, Map Quest etc etc and I am shown different routes. The shortest route takes me thru Utah down to Fredonia to Marble Canyon to Willow Springs on HWY 89 then to Tuba City on Hwy 160 then to Moenkopi to St. Michaels on Hwy 264 then onto HWY 40.

Another route takes me clear up to Colorado and across the US then back down to Tulsa?????

Is this the best/fastest route for a 16' truck? Is there going to be any snow in that area? And Is it ok to drive straight thru Navajo Reservation? and last question is there enough gas station on that route.

Any help would be great.

Thanks.

If this is a pleasure and business trip (AKA) (BKA) A Road "Trip"' you
should go farther south to Interstate 10 instead of Interstate 40 and
Come up from Houston and San Antonio Northward To Tulsa.....

[crashingsucks]

Thank you for your help. I was thinking the same thing about going down to Flagstaff then over. Does anyone know about the weather in this area in about a week and a half

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I would take stay on 89 (don't take the turn to Tuba City) right on to Flagstaff and then follow I-40 east. I don't know how the back roads through the rez could be faster than that - shorter miles maybe but much longer time. 89 in Az is straight and fast with gas and stops spread out a bit but nothing to worry about.

If that truck is heavy this sounds like the most level route

[Peg Fife-Bell]

Given that the truck you will be taking will be loaded, here is my recommendation for your trip toTulsa, OK from St. George, UT. Truck will probably only average 5-6 mpg loaded and maximum speed will be around 65 mph. So, I've tried to give you no more than 200 miles between fuel stops.

Route: I-15 north to Hwy 9 then over to Hwy 89 south into Page, AZ. (This route will take you through Zion NP, but you should be all right with the 16' truck you will be driving.) Top off fuel in Page to get you to Flagstaff, AZ on I-40 east. Fill fuel in Flagstaff. Stay overnight in Gallup NM (exit 16) I-40; there are decent reasonable motels there, fill fuel there, too.

Big long pull out of Albuquerque, so fuel again in Moriarty, NM (T/A truck stop aka Rip Griffins, exit 194). Fill fuel again in Amarillo, TX ( T/A truck stop exit 72 or 75 either way it is on east side of town right off I-40). Can stay overnight in Amarillo or proceed to McLean, TX. Both towns have decent clean motels, reasonably priced. Top off fuel in McLean, if you stop overnight there, otherwise fill fuel again in Sayre, OK (medium sized Texaco truck stop, exit 20 or 23 on I-40). Fuel again in Oklahoma City (exit 140/council Road at T/A truck stop) before you get to I-35/I-44 (I-44 is turnpike and also limited access, but fuel is available.)
I-44 takes you into Tulsa.

Don't know the cost of the turnpike in Oklahoma. There is a website where you can check costs. Start by googling Turner Turnpike in Oklahoma.

Have been an 'over the road' truck driver, and prefer to use big truck stops where other places are less likely to be well lit. The truck stops I have recommended have sit-down restaurants.

My trip program says your trip should be about 1323 miles, give or take 10-20 miles and depending on where you're going in Tulsa. Also three day trip (500 +/- miles per day) weather permitting of course, but I don't see weather being a major factor for you.

Weather may or may not be a concern as early in December as you are traveling, but be aware, the wind will blow from east of Albuquerque into TX and beyond.

If you have questions you can DM me and I'll be glad to help you out.
Have a safe trip.
Peg

[crashingsucks]

Thanks a lot for all the detailed info this will help but I will probably just drive straight thru. Maybe take a little nap half way. Again thank you .

[adventuregurl]

There is the potential to hit snow in the higher elevations, I would check the weather forecast before leaving and while travelling...Flagstaff gets snow storms even in Oct. and has already has some.

[KarmaPhx]

I looked on google maps, and it's about the same mileage either way, if I was you I would avoid CO due to the snow.