Driving from MA to AZ next week; best route? (school, price) - Arizona - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

swbrotha100 · 02-01-2013, 10:12 PM

I think I-81 and I-40, weather permitting, will probably be the best bet for you. Don't know how you feel about toll roads, or avoiding certain cities/states. I saw on weather.com that a big storm is going to hit the east coast in the next couple days, so good luck with that.

goolsbyjazz · 02-02-2013, 02:05 AM

Yeah I heard they were going to get hit on Tuesday. I don't arrive until Thursday so I'm hoping it is somewhat cleaned up by then.

Drake744 · 02-02-2013, 02:34 AM

I'm not familiar with the northeast but I've done I-40 from TN to CA three times. IMO it would be easier to get on 40 and do it that way instead of going down to Atlanta and getting I-20. 40 will take you across Tennessee and in Little Rock, AR you can keep taking 40, which will go all the way across through Flagstaff, or you can cut off to I-30 that meets I-20 in Dallas.

I guess what I'm getting at is even if you do want to take 20 to 10 across Texas, you still can by using I-40 and it's probably a little faster, but I'm not positive. I just feel like coming from the north you wouldn't want to go down to Atlanta then cut across when you could just take a diagonal route and meet up with I-20 in Dallas.

I've only taken 40 though, but I know for me they're very similar options. If you choose I-40, Google Maps says taking it from Nashville (just as a reference when you're in TN) to Flagstaff then I-17 is to PHX 1,683 miles, and 1,727 by taking 40 to 20 to 10. Very minimal difference but, still a difference none the less. What's going to suck this time of year is how early it gets dark. Much more tolerable drive in the summer. It's a very boring drive, but at least on 40 there are some larger cities that you'll get to see or stop in that might help. Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, which is good for when you want to get a hotel or maybe just some distractions from the drive. Other than Dallas and El Paso I'm not sure what's on 20/10.

goolsbyjazz · 02-02-2013, 08:59 AM

Took 40 one time years ago and it was pretty straightforward. May look into that because it will take us right into Flagstaff.

corydon · 02-03-2013, 09:02 AM

Boring?
IMO these are very relaxed roads to drive, no traffic to speak of, and you see a lot of dessert, the reason you go to AZ, right?
20 is busy compared to I10 from San Antonio going west, you could park in the left lane, take a picture and start driving again...
When it is snowing in Flag, they might close the interstate, not a great place to be, there are no truckstops east of Flafstaff for about 50 miles, just one smal gas station.

Anyway, enjoy the ride, take your time.

SluggoF16 · 02-03-2013, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swbrotha100

I think I-81 and I-40, weather permitting, will probably be the best bet for you. Don't know how you feel about toll roads, or avoiding certain cities/states. I saw on weather.com that a big storm is going to hit the east coast in the next couple days, so good luck with that.

Agreed. Been there, done that, the southern I-20/I-10 route, though generally safer weather-wise, also involves driving well south before going back north. For the next few days it's not even supposed to freeze out here (OK). I-40 from OKC to Tucumcari can be a long drone, but there are a few interesting stops immediately available. Nashville's always a great stop, Fort Smith, AR has a lot of historical sites right downtown (and a great dry-rub rib place), OKC has Bricktown, there's a new wind power "museum" right off the interstate in Weatherford, OK, the Barbed Wire Museum in Maclean, TX, and there's Cadillac Ranch on the west side of Amarillo... bring a can of spray paint.

An alternative to I-17 is AZ state routes 377-277-260-87 through Holbrook and Payson. Save a fair amount of mileage, avoids Flagstaff and the zoo that can sometimes be I-17, although it depends on where in the PHX area the OP intends to end the trip. It's a better route for Scottsdale and the East Valley.

autism360 · 02-03-2013, 10:15 AM

Do not leave without buying a GPS

magnum0417 · 02-03-2013, 11:28 AM

I'm from NY and can tell you the best way from MA. Take I 90 West to Albany. That I 88 from Albany to Binghamton. Take Rte 17/Future I 86 to Erie,PA. Take I 90 from Erie to Cleveland.At Cleveland, take I 71 South to Columbus. Loop on Columbus Beltway I 270 to I 70 West. Take I 70 west from Columbus to St Louis. At St Louis, take I 44 to Oklahoma City. Just north of OKC, take the Kilpatrick TPK to bypass OKC to I 40 West. Take I 40 West from OKC to Flagstaff. Take I 17 South to PHX. Best of luck !

I disagree with the I 81 to I 40 advice. I 81 goes basically due south from Binghamton,NY to Knoxville,TN. You encounter very steep grades through the Appalachians withput really moving westward. I feel the way I suggested is about as SW direction one can go without the steep grades.

rational1 · 02-03-2013, 07:11 PM

> Take I 90 West to Albany. That I 88 from Albany to Binghamton. Take Rte 17/Future I 86 to Erie,PA. Take I 90 from Erie to Cleveland

Seems to me this goes through the worst of lake effect snow country. I would not do this in the winter. Even going south 60 miles or so to I80 gets less snow.

goolsbyjazz · 02-09-2013, 12:23 PM

Hey everyone! I am currently in Missouri driving back to AZ. We decided to take a route that would allow us to miss all tolls. Right now we are on 70 west to 435 south to 35 through Wichita then through a bit of Amarillo, TX and OK before connecting with I40 in New Mexico. It's been a pretty sunless drive so far! Hope to catch a few rays as we travel further west!!!!