Vegas to Phoenix Drive Help (Tucson, Tempe: university, transportation, rating)

[chgodon]

This week I drove from Vegas to Tempe. My GPS took me the fastest route which I assumed was the shortest route from point A to point B. I ended up taking 93 out of Vegas to 40 (Kingman) to 93 to 60 to 202. It took me 4 hrs 50 mins. What I didn't realize how frustrating the drive was due to reduced speed limits and 1 lane reductions at key points.

I realized I could have taken 40 (Kingman) to Flagstaff and drop down to Phoenix via the 17. I would think that
route would be a steady 70 mph with at least 2-3 lanes. Even though, this is not a direct route "distance wise" and I'm some what going too far East, would this be a faster route "time wise" with more populated rest stops?

[sargeant79]

Originally Posted by chgodon

This week I drove from Vegas to Tempe. My GPS took me the fastest route which I assumed was the shortest route from point A to point B. I ended up taking 93 out of Vegas to 40 (Kingman) to 93 to 60 to 202. It took me 4 hrs 50 mins. What I didn't realize how frustrating the drive was due to reduced speed limits and 1 lane reductions at key points.

I realized I could have taken 40 (Kingman) to Flagstaff and drop down to Phoenix via the 17. I would think that
route would be a steady 70 mph with at least 2-3 lanes. Even though, this is not a direct route "distance wise" and I'm some what going too far East, would this be a faster route "time wise" with more populated rest stops?

More populated rest stops? Maybe. Faster? Definitely not. Probably would add a good 45 minutes at least. With all the elevation changes, you can sometimes get stuck behind some slower trucks for stretches along I-17 since it's just two lanes each way from Flagstaff all the way to Anthem. It's been a while since I drove that stretch of I-40 between Kingman and Flagstaff, but I don't believe that's got more than two lanes in each direction either.

[observer53]

I wouldn't go that way, either. I don't know anyone who goes that way. When you say "93 to 60 to 202 mi, where exactly did you go? You might have better options with that portion of the trip.

[chgodon]

I went to University of Arizona Tempe.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by chgodon

This week I drove from Vegas to Tempe. My GPS took me the fastest route which I assumed was the shortest route from point A to point B. I ended up taking 93 out of Vegas to 40 (Kingman) to 93 to 60 to 202. It took me 4 hrs 50 mins. What I didn't realize how frustrating the drive was due to reduced speed limits and 1 lane reductions at key points.

I realized I could have taken 40 (Kingman) to Flagstaff and drop down to Phoenix via the 17. I would think that
route would be a steady 70 mph with at least 2-3 lanes. Even though, this is not a direct route "distance wise" and I'm some what going too far East, would this be a faster route "time wise" with more populated rest stops?

Quickest way is 93 from Vegas to Kingman, 40 to the other section of 93, then 60 to Surprise, south on 303, then east on 10.

Other alternative is 95 south to Blythe, CA, then 10 east to Phoenix

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by chgodon

I went to University of Arizona Tempe.

welcome to Tempe, Wildcat!! (it's ASU, not UA...and the Sun Devils)

the route thru Flag is much, much longer.....no help at all

FirebirdCamaro is right on....

I did that similar drive a couple weeks ago and Google sent me that new way: get on the new 303 southbound off the 60 in the NW valley, then the 10 east to Tempe....fantastic!.....

those 2-1-2-1 lane changes along the 93 south of the 40 will be with us for a while....drive carefully!

[stevek64]

I assume you're talking about 1 lane on parts of 93. Trust me, it's nothing compared to what it used to be some years ago when it was mostly a one lane road and you had to wind down a curvy road and go over the hoover dam as you approached the Nevada border. It's mostly a 2 lane/65mph road now and the only area there are speed restrictions for the most part are around Wickenburg and Wikieup. The other area near Las Vegas, Boulder City, that also slows things down a bit will be a thing of the past as they are working on the boulder bypass that will make that piece of the trip much quicker in the future. It's suppose to be complete by 2018:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1525.cfm

Nevada Department of Transportation

[asufan]

Originally Posted by chgodon

I went to University of Arizona Tempe.

Oh boy, that's fightin words.

[swbrotha100]

Originally Posted by chgodon

I went to University of Arizona Tempe.

For future reference:

University of Arizona is in TUCSON.
Arizona State University is in Tempe.

Driving from Las Vegas to Phoenix, US 93 is the best way, because it cuts through the state mostly diagonally. Some people go from US 93 to US 60 to AZ 74 (Carefree Highway) to I-17, then it's freeway the rest of the way. Others will use 60 to Loop 303. You still have to deal with 2 lane highway on parts of 93, but the good news is about 75% of US 93 is a divided highway, and ADOT will be working on the rest of it over the next few years. In the distant future, 93 may end up being replaced by I-11.

[yellowbelle]

Originally Posted by chgodon

I went to University of Arizona Tempe.

LOL, ya' sure about that?

We go the same way FirebirdCamaro suggests.