Driving through Tonto National Forest (Phoenix, Scottsdale: rental, homes, live)

[ladan900]

Hi there

I have a quick question for anyone that lives in/around the Tonto National Forest, or has done a cross country road trip that took them through it.

My wife and I are moving from LA to North Carolina and we are driving a 16ft moving truck and towing our Subaru across the country.

One of our stops en-route is Scottsdale and we are then aiming for Albuquerque or Santa Fe.

I see two routes when looking at the map:
1. Going straight through the on the 87, the 260 and then the 377 to link up to the I40.
2. Or skirt around the majority of the forest on the I17 and hit the I40 at Flagstaff

Is the first route realistic with a moving truck and towing? Does it have any inclines that could cause problems? Are the roads big and adequate for this type of traffic?

The first route seems to be shorter and more direct which obviously appeals to me both time and gas wise, but this is the first time we have attempted this type of thing - it'll be the biggest vehicle I've driven and have no experience towing another vehicle - and so I'm prepared to take longer more suitable routes if required.

Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Dan

[observer53]

I'd stay on the freeways. There are still inclines on the freeways going up from Phoenix, but it's a wider road than the 87 or the 260. If you have no experience with a vehicle that size and with towing, I'd play it safe.

What time of year are you doing this?

Or, you could take a more southern route and stay on 1-10 longer. I've not gone further east than El Paso on the 10, but I'm sure someone else will chime in.

[ladan900]

Thanks for your response observer53.

We leave LA in 2 weeks.

The I40 is our preferred route east, but appreciate your idea of the 10.

[sandy6879]

I would also agree with staying with the freeways. The 87 has some spots that can cause some trucks towing vehicles some challenges, it's a little more nerve-wracking for drivers, especially if this is your first time towing, and this time of year, you may be dealing with weather issues too.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by ladan900

Thanks for your response observer53.

We leave LA in 2 weeks.

The I40 is our preferred route east, but appreciate your idea of the 10.

As long as the weather is clear, you should be fine on the freeways.

[cab591]

If you weren't towing, I'd take the shorter route. Very scenic drive, and cuts a bit of time off the route. But the passes and climbs on 87 to Payson, and a few spots on 260 can be a bit white-knuckled. I've had friends go that route before with a car in tow, in both directions... But they've experience towing cars, and towing on those roads specifically.

Granted, you will be going uphill... If you were going the other direction, I'd definitely suggest the interstate (long downhill stretches + rental box truck brakes...), but uphill is slightly more reasonable.

The climbs on 17 are STEEP (depending on how heavy your entire load is, you might be going 35mph flat-out), but the lanes are wide, there's a large shoulder, and there's even run offs. I'd suggest stopping at the brake check area before the decent into Verde Valley (a few miles past the Dewey/Humboldt exit, AZ-169), and double check trailer, straps, brakes, etc before dropping down the hill. Do so slowly, in a lower gear (PRNDL -- it's the "L"). This will keep you from having to ride the brakes down the hill (something you NEVER want to do if you want to be able to stop at the bottom!).

No matter what route you choose, once you're on the plateau you're basically done with mountainous grades. There's a few hills in Northern New Mexico but that's about it until you hit the Appalachian mountains.

[jamies]

Or take the 10 to the east coast. No mountains. I'd stay off the two lane mountain roads, out of courtesy for other drivers if nothing else. There's reasons Californian's are despised and trucks and motor homes with fifteen cars behind them doing 25 on a winding road is one! Rent a car and come back for a scenic drive.

[teddyearp]

Originally Posted by jamies

Or take the 10 to the east coast. No mountains. I'd stay off the two lane mountain roads, out of courtesy for other drivers if nothing else. There's reasons Californian's are despised and trucks and motor homes with fifteen cars behind them doing 25 on a winding road is one! Rent a car and come back for a scenic drive.

The OP has a stop in Scottsdale, so your route is impractical. They are making a cross country move and probably not interested in taking a scenic drive. If they did do the Beeline to Payson then on to Heber and Holbrook, much of that is four lanes until they top out on the rim, and then there aren't that many places without passing lanes, but I agree, the freeway would probably be best based on their experience level.

[Colt AZ]

Usually when piloting a larger rig, (in this case a 16' moving truck plus vehicle in tow) and traveling west to east from LA to North Carolina, I'd personally prefer to stay on Interstate 40 the entire trip. In your case, you're wanting to make stops in Arizona & New Mexico, and others have given you good advice regarding your stops.

If you had no planned stops in AZ or NM, and had time to meander, you could take the I-10 from LA into Texas, then up via I-20, up via I-30, and then on up to I-40! Plenty of adventure there, plus you will find many restaurants, coffee shops and gas stations along the way.

Enjoy your trip!

[wit-nit]

Going up Beeline Hwy to I-40 would be very slow and scary in some parts. It would take longer than going up I-17 to Flagstaff (I-40) then East across country.
If you'll be in Scottsdale just take Scottsdale Rd North to Carefree Highway and then go West to the I-17 interchange and then up North to I-40. In your truck pulling a vehicle it should take about 45 minutes at the most to get from Scottsdale via the Carefree Hwy. It would be safer and faster for your circumstances.
Or you can get on the I-101 and go directly to I-17 then North to Flagstaff (I-40). Both ways will be faster and safer.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...arefree+Hwy+AZ