Phoenix to Albuquerque - best route? (Flagstaff, Payson: travel, cost , live)

[Kelelynn]

Wondering if it makes a difference - time wise, road wise, scenery wise - in traveling from Phoenix to Albuquerque (in August) on which way to go. Should we travel up I-17 to Flagstaff, then on the I-40 or should we take AZ-87/AZ-377 to Holbrook? Interested in your comments. Thanks!

[aj661]

We always take the SR87/SR260/etc route. I don't know if it's faster, but from the far east side of the valley it is much shorter. Besides, I never pass up the chance to drive SR260 east from Payson up the Rim.

[Finger Laker]

i've found 17/40 is the fastest

however, if I have extra time and want to take the scenic route the 60 through the salt river canyon is awesome - then you can connect into the 77 near show low onto the 40

keeping that same route if you bail out from the 60 right before show low you can be adventerous and stay in the woods by grabbing the 260 trhough pinetop over to eagar and then run the 191 up to the 40

my brother lives in ABQ so between us we've made this drive a lot - however, with the cost of fuel and availability of southwest I don't think i've driven it in a while

[amatrine]

I have taken both routes. Believe me, Flagstaff is the faster route. It may be more miles but you have the highway, and can go faster. There are many areas where you can not drive over 50 mph on the other route and it takes another hour to get here.

Ama

[azcater]

how long does it take to going I-17 to I-40, what's the total travel time to Albuquerque?

Thanks!

[Finger Laker]

it would normally run us a solid 6-7 hours to make the drive