road trip on Rt 89 (Mesa, Flagstaff: land, transit, drive)

[affirmed1]

then head east to Connecticut. friend wants to do this and asked me to ride with him. want to see that part of the country but with just a plan to drive it in 3 or 4 days with scenic stops seems too hasty and then adding on the 4 or 5 days to get to Connecticut from Montana.


Thoughts? I'm thinking of not going would rather do this w more time spent to sight see.

[motormaker]

^^ I wouldn't do it, definitely not a fun trip.

[affirmed1]

somehow part of my question got cut off.



We would actually be starting in los Angeles, drive a day to Wickenberg, AZ, to start the rt 89 trip, then head to connecticut from Montana.



not exactly a direct route

[wit-nit]

I've done that route, very scenic and worth it if you have the time for sight seeing. We spent 4 days on that trip.

[Dangerous Dave]

What you get to Prescott, you'll actually want to take 89A from there. That takes you through Sedona and up to Flagstaff to I-40. Depending on what part of Montana you're going to go through, I'd think you'd back track and take 15 to Butte.

[Valley Native]

I just came back from a two week trip to northern AZ, as well as Utah & Colorado, and I drove on U.S. 89 for a good part of the way. The only bad part about this road is where it narrows to two lanes north of Flagstaff, and the scenery transitions from forest to high desert. There are passing lanes, but good luck using them if you get behind slow idiots who can't obey the law, which is: KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS.

What I recommend is turning off onto 89A just south of Page. That road isn't as heavily traveled as the regular highway 89, and it's a bit more scenic. You'll see Vermillion Cliffs, and then you'll make a significant climb in elevation before reaching Jacob Lake, which is the turnoff to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I highly recommend seeing the North Rim ... it's much prettier and a little less crowded than the South Rim.

After this, 89A will go into Utah and merge with highway 89 in Kanab. From here, it's pretty much high plains and scattered forest land until you get to the turnoff for Bryce Canyon. I recommend seeing this as well. It's not quite as impressive as the Grand Canyon, but it's definitely something worth seeing if you're interested in various unique rock formations.

[Charley Barker]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

I just came back from a two week trip to northern AZ, as well as Utah & Colorado, and I drove on U.S. 89 for a good part of the way. The only bad part about this road is where it narrows to two lanes north of Flagstaff, and the scenery transitions from forest to high desert. There are passing lanes, but good luck using them if you get behind slow idiots who can't obey the law, which is: KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS.

What I recommend is turning off onto 89A just south of Page. That road isn't as heavily traveled as the regular highway 89, and it's a bit more scenic. You'll see Vermillion Cliffs, and then you'll make a significant climb in elevation before reaching Jacob Lake, which is the turnoff to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I highly recommend seeing the North Rim ... it's much prettier and a little less crowded than the South Rim.

After this, 89A will go into Utah and merge with highway 89 in Kanab. From here, it's pretty much high plains and scattered forest land until you get to the turnoff for Bryce Canyon. I recommend seeing this as well. It's not quite as impressive as the Grand Canyon, but it's definitely something worth seeing if you're interested in various unique rock formations.

Took this route last year and everything the poster says here is correct. Except I actually enjoyed Bryce Canyon more than the North Rim (in truth it is a little like comparing diamonds and rubys - each spectacular in its own way). It just felt like you could get up close and personal with the landscape at Bryce. Avoid during peak periods as I have read that it can be overrun. If you have time definitely check out Antelope Canyon near Page. Mesa Verde was part of our trip and if you can make it there you should go. It's a national treasure in my opinion. And the nearby Durango to Silverton railway is supposed to be one of the most scenic rides in North America. Man, I miss that part of the country. It really got into my blood!

[Noble Savage]

I also like Bryce over the GC. Been a few years since we did the circle from LV to North Rim, Lake Powell, Arches, Bryce, Zion, and back to Vegas. Want to go again.

[affirmed1]

we are back from the trip -

breathtakingly beautiful! I recommend taking Rt12 cutoff which returns to 89


from Glacier in Montana we drove through the badlands back to Connecticut - a 3 1/2 day drive better than I expected.