Best way through Phoenix (Carefree Highway vs US 60) (Tucson, Sun City: construction, versus)

[rnarnarna]

So, if you're driving from, say, Las Vegas to Tucson, what's the best way through Phoenix?

maps.google.com says that you should drive on Arizona Rt-74 (Carefree Highway) to I-17 and then to I-10 and onward.

Bing, Yahoo, Mapquest and AAA maps instead direct you on US-60 through Sun City, then down Loop 101 to I-10 and onward.

Google says that it's faster via the Carefree Highway, despite being more miles.

Anyone have any insight?

[azdr0710]

I'd use the Carefree Highway/74 from 60 method....I think 60 toward 101 has some frustrating stop lights before getting to 101....the Carefree Highway/74 turnoff is only about 5-10 miles from Wickenburg....

[roundball]

You'll catch all the lights and traffic in Phoenix and the burbs (depending on time of day) along the 60.

Google is always right.

[CodyW]

The 101 has been a mess lately with construction. I'd say go with Carefree. I can only think of one light on carefree between US-60 and the 17. Versus taking US-60 through the Sun Cities, it seems like there's a light every half mile or so.

[oh2az2id]

If you want to avoid Phx all together you could take Vulture mine road, very nice fast road with little if any traffic, south from Wickenburg to I-10,east to Route 85, south to I-8, east to I-10. If it is at or near rush hour this will be the quickest, least stressful way.

[rnarnarna]

Excellent comments/suggestions. Thank you very much.

oh2az2id -- I will be going thru Phoenix at around 10am, which I think is out of rush hour, but that's a great suggestion for when Phoenix traffic is totally munged up.