Trip from Tucson to Santa Fe (Phoenix, Flagstaff: live, dangerous, best)

[BRMan]

Several of us are planning a trip out west in December that includes Tucson and Santa Fe (we're coming from Louisiana). My question: what is the best way to get from Tucson to Santa Fe ? Though Google Maps tells me to take I-10 to I-25 in Las Cruces and take I-25 to Santa Fe, I see that I-10 to Phoenix/I-17 to Flagstaff/I-40 to Albuquerque is an option, as is AZ 77 from Tucson/Oro Valley to Holbrook. Though AZ 77 appears to be the more direct route, I don't know the terrain, availability of gas, speed traps, etc. Does anyone have a perspective on which of those three routes would be best ? We thought it'd be fun to see the Painted Desert on the way to Santa Fe, which is why we're looking at the AZ 77/I-17 routes.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by BRMan

Several of us are planning a trip out west in December that includes Tucson and Santa Fe (we're coming from Louisiana). My question: what is the best way to get from Tucson to Santa Fe ? Though Google Maps tells me to take I-10 to I-25 in Las Cruces and take I-25 to Santa Fe, I see that I-10 to Phoenix/I-17 to Flagstaff/I-40 to Albuquerque is an option, as is AZ 77 from Tucson/Oro Valley to Holbrook. Though AZ 77 appears to be the more direct route, I don't know the terrain, availability of gas, speed traps, etc. Does anyone have a perspective on which of those three routes would be best ? We thought it'd be fun to see the Painted Desert on the way to Santa Fe, which is why we're looking at the AZ 77/I-17 routes.

Not the fastest, BRMan, but he most scenic and interesting would be AZ 77 to 60 and then East to I-25 North.

Probably the most direct as well as most boring would be I-10 East to I-25 North.

Good Luck

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Not the fastest, BRMan, but he most scenic and interesting would be AZ 77 to 60 and then East to I-25 North.

Probably the most direct as well as most boring would be I-10 East to I-25 North.

Good Luck

Thanks - are there lots of stop light towns on AZ 77 ? Or hairpin curves around mountains ? Because AZ 77 DOES appear to be the shortest, mileage-wise. I just didn't know if the shorter distance meant I'd be traveling an average speed of 30 mph through mountains or stop light towns.

[finmqa1]

That would be the most scenic, but the I-10 to I-25 route would encounter the least severe weather, IF WE GET ANY. As long as the forecast is clear I would suggest AZ 77 to Holbrook.

[Tim Rankin]

BRMan, I've done the drive from Albuq to Tucson, and the drive through Silver City is well worth it. If you take the southern route, at Lordsburg you drive through Silver City and then east to I-25. It takes you theough some awesome mountain scenery. The views from SC to Lordsburg were incredible, but you may not get the same effect when driving northeast, with the rising terrain.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin

BRMan, I've done the drive from Albuq to Tucson, and the drive through Silver City is well worth it. If you take the southern route, at Lordsburg you drive through Silver City and then east to I-25. It takes you theough some awesome mountain scenery. The views from SC to Lordsburg were incredible, but you may not get the same effect when driving northeast, with the rising terrain.

Is there a risk of snow/ice on the "back roads" ?

Also, too, we want to be able to see the Painted Desert/Petrified Forest on the way to Santa Fe. Which is why I-17 and AZ 77 were our preferred options. But I'll keep your suggestions in mind - thanks !

[Gretchen B]

It's also a very pretty drive following Bummer's route up to Hwy 60, then head west on 60 to I-25. The Daitl Mtns are beautiful. Or you could then head north out of Quemado and catch SR 117 through the Malpais and the Ice Caves into Grants.

Just depends on whether you want quick or scenic. Or for really scenic (and slow) take I-10 over to hwy 191. That Coronado Route has to be one of the most scenic hwy's in AZ.

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by BRMan

Is there a risk of snow/ice on the "back roads" ?

Yes - if it's snowy or icy that road could be dangerous. I've heard that from someone who lived in Silver City, but never driven there in cold wx.

Sorry, don't know about the painted desert/petrified forest...

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by BRMan

Thanks - are there lots of stop light towns on AZ 77 ? Or hairpin curves around mountains ? Because AZ 77 DOES appear to be the shortest, mileage-wise. I just didn't know if the shorter distance meant I'd be traveling an average speed of 30 mph through mountains or stop light towns.

As with any scenic route, BRMan . . .

There will be a few "slowdown areas" but nothing compared to what you would experience in your area. Lots of history and interesting points of interest. Personally, I feel anything would beat the super boring freeway routes of I-10 to I-25.

[sierraAZ]

Boy, I don't recall what route I took to Santa Fe as it was many years ago, but I do remember it as the most boring drive in my entire life! On that note, OP, take the scenic-drive suggestions!