Moving from Phoenix to Albuquerque - Best Route? (Scottsdale, Fountain Hills: dangerous, safer)

[kacies.dayz]

I'm moving to Albuquerque in 3 weeks, using a 26-foot long UHaul truck. I need to stop about every 2 hours so my passenger and critters can have a biobreak and to fill up my gas tank. I'm trying to decide between the Beeline Highway up through Payson or the US-60 through Show Low (not I-17 to I-40). Suggestions?

[JGMotorsport64]

Those are the two. Both are good. I’d do the 60 as the 87 route has some steep climbs.

[pathrunner]

I've done that route by car 3 times. I can well understand your wanting to avoid homicide alley, aka I-17 north or south.

I also feel the need to warn you about I-40 going east about 30-50 miles outside of ABQ. Some truckers have been really vicious all 3 times I've driven it into ABQ. So just be careful. I have found drivers on I-40 going east be some of the most obnoxious, rude, dangerous drivers on earth.

I would go up to Payson and turn east through Star Valley, until you reach Hwy. 277. That will be a bit of slow going. Then turn north on Hwy. 277 then 377 to Holbrook, then jump on the I-40. That's a good road (Hwy 277/377). There aren't a lot of desirable places to stop on I-40 after Holbrook. I would stop there in town, and then you should be able to make it to Gallup for your next stop.

It's a pretty drive from Scottsdale to Hwy 277/377 so that's a big plus as well. The reason for going through Payson would be to pick up supplies you might have forgotten and visit their beautiful lake park for a break.

Good luck!

PS I haven't done US-60 through Globe and on to I-40, that may be a better way but I don't think so. I've only been as far as Globe. There are some tight turns as I recall straight out of Superior, but not bad.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

Those are the two. Both are good. I’d do the 60 as the 87 route has some steep climbs.

60 has Salt River Canyon, as well as the drive through the Pinal Mountains between Superior and Globe. Beeline to 260 to 277 to 377 to Holbrook then 40 is the better route

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by pathrunner

I've done that route by car 3 times. I can well understand your wanting to avoid homicide alley, aka I-17 north or south. I have found drivers on I-40 going east be some of the most obnoxious, rude, dangerous drivers on earth.

I also feel the need to warn you about I-40 going east about 30-50 miles outside of ABQ. Some truckers have been really vicious all 3 times I've driven it into ABQ. So just be careful.

I would go up to Payson and turn east through Star Valley, until you reach Hwy. 277. That will be a bit of slow going. Then turn north on Hwy. 277 then 377 to Holbrook, then jump on the I-40. That's a good road (Hwy 277/377). There aren't a lot of desirable places to stop on I-40 after Holbrook. I would stop there in town, and then you should be able to make it to Gallup for your next stop.

It's a pretty drive from Scottsdale to Hwy 277/377 so that's a big plus as well. The reason for going through Payson would be to pick up supplies you might have forgotten and visit their beautiful lake park for a break.

Good luck!

PS I haven't done US-60 through Globe, that may be a better way. I've only been as far as Globe. There are some tight turns as I recall straight out of Superior, but not bad.

US 60 from Phoenix to Show Low is not a pleasant drive, you have to cross the Pinal Mountains between Superior and Globe, then the real hard part is Salt River Canyon halfway between Globe and Show Low, 15 to 20 mph max speed with 7% grades and hairpin turns both sides

[pathrunner]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

60 has Salt River Canyon, as well as the drive through the Pinal Mountains between Superior and Globe. Beeline to 260 to 277 to 377 to Holbrook then 40 is the better route

That's what I was thinking. I've never done the route through Globe to I-40 because I was always looking at a terrain map and it seemed to have too many hills/curves.

However as JG pointed out Hwy 87 has quite a few steep hills as well. I just think 87 is better because it's quite a bit less remote in case something happens.

Either route is certainly better than dealing with I-17. The last time I drove it a year ago I swore I'd never do it again and I'm sticking to that.

[kacies.dayz]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

US 60 from Phoenix to Show Low is not a pleasant drive, you have to cross the Pinal Mountains between Superior and Globe, then the real hard part is Salt River Canyon halfway between Globe and Show Low, 15 to 20 mph max speed with 7% grades and hairpin turns both sides

That's sort of what I heard about US 60. I think it would be the prettier drive, but it is remote and I want to do the safer drive. Thank you so much for telling me about the road conditions on 60

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by pathrunner

That's what I was thinking. I've never done the route through Globe to I-40 because I was always looking at a terrain map and it seemed to have too many hills/curves.

However as JG pointed out Hwy 87 has quite a few steep hills as well. I just think 87 is better because it's quite a bit less remote in case something happens.

Either route is certainly better than dealing with I-17. The last time I drove it a year ago I swore I'd never do it again and I'm sticking to that.

87 between Fountain Hills and Payson is practically interstate grade, 65mph speed limit and 2 lanes each direction

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by kacies.dayz

That's sort of what I heard about US 60. I think it would be the prettier drive, but it is remote and I want to do the safer drive. Thank you so much for telling me about the road conditions on 60

No problem

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by kacies.dayz

That's sort of what I heard about US 60. I think it would be the prettier drive, but it is remote and I want to do the safer drive. Thank you so much for telling me about the road conditions on 60

And you would need to check for closures. That route was closed at least 3 times last year for wild fires.