Route Recommendation Denver to Quartzsite

[RecPro]

Hi Everyone,

In the next few days we will be traveling from Denver to the Quartzsite gathering and based on the time of year we would appreciate any feedback regarding potential routes.

Our plan is to take I-25 from Denver to Albuquerque. At that point we are debating between a northern route of I-40 to Flagstaff and then south on I-17 to Phoenix and then I-10 to Quartzsite.

As an alternative we are considering a southern route continuing through Albuquerque on I-25 to Las Cruces and then taking taking I-10 through Tucson, Phoenix and to Quartzsite. Obviously the downside of this route is a couple of hundred extra miles and additional driving time. Does the uncertainty of the weather on I-40 justify the extra travel time at this time of year?

Thanks in advance,
Paul

[sbleiweiss]

Originally Posted by RecPro

Does the uncertainty of the weather on I-40 justify the extra travel time at this time of year?
Thanks in advance,
Paul

No, but watch the weather forecast and adjust accordingly. Or pick you travel days to allow the I-40 route.

[HJLowell]

Personally

We would drive to Albuquerque and then get an updated weather report.

I have a brother living outside of Albuquerque and we visit annually.

Often traveling on West.

You should be ok on I 40 but heck.

Thats whats Nice about the rv life and the Weather forecasts.

[kerrbe]

Agree with sbleiweiss, we take the same route every February from Denver and 5 out of the last 6 years we have been able to go through Flagstaff. But we always watch the weather in case we need to go through Las Cruses.

[Grower15]

If you take I-10 there is a good fuel stop (Pride Truck Stop) just east of Quartzite at exit 45. We’ve found their prices lower than most others in the area. Make sure to use the car lanes in front as AZ has an additional tax on diesel fuel in the truck lanes. If you take I-40 to Lake Havasu then south on AZ-95 there is a fairly new Running Man Fuel Station (no truck lanes) on the south side of Parker, AZ with easy in/out. Others who travel these routes might have suggestions as well. Have fun at Q.

[Bob_C]

New Running Man station also now open in Parker at the Northern end by Safeway and Walmart

[vsheetz]

Go to Albuquerque. check weather forecast. adjust schedule or route as needed

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by RecPro

Hi Everyone,

In the next few days we will be traveling from Denver to the Quartzsite gathering and based on the time of year we would appreciate any feedback regarding potential routes.

Our plan is to take I-25 from Denver to Albuquerque. At that point we are debating between a northern route of I-40 to Flagstaff and then south on I-17 to Phoenix and then I-10 to Quartzsite.

As an alternative we are considering a southern route continuing through Albuquerque on I-25 to Las Cruces and then taking taking I-10 through Tucson, Phoenix and to Quartzsite. Obviously the downside of this route is a couple of hundred extra miles and additional driving time. Does the uncertainty of the weather on I-40 justify the extra travel time at this time of year?

Thanks in advance,
Paul

Some of us have done these winter trips out West - and say Watch/Listen to the weather, if you do not like it Don't worry it will change.

CDOT cameras are good - Road Conditions, Speeds, Travel Times, Traffic Cameras, Live Streaming Traffic Cameras, Road Closures and Road Work Information provided by Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) a branch of Colorado Department of Transportation

If this is not on the weekend - especially this weekend - MLK - biggest ski weekend of the Year - I'd look at just doing I-70 out to Moab/RT 128 - then Down on RT 191 to Goosenecks/Mexican Hat/Monument Valley - leaving there to Canyon de Chelly - Sedona - to Quartzsite. - But that's Me - I've done this in My Coach in December January and February - with no issues - BUT - I love the Mountains and Winter in the Mountains! .

All routes are Weather and Traffic Dependent - I might mention when we used to take the Kids Skiing we often Never saw it SNOW - but then again we have seen feet just jump out of those Clouds, and even the Deep Blue Sky .

MAP - https://binged.it/2CuQzlw - gives you a Fun route to travel and Great things to Visit on the way. .

Snow is not limited to the Winter months as we know them - we have had Snow when Visiting the Grand Canyon in June - But we have also Hiked to the top of Angels Landings in Shorts in Late December.

So I guess what I'm trying to suggest is Keep your eyes wide open and Hopefully make the Trip as or more Enjoyable than the Destination.

JMHO,

[CIDE]

I got caught in a 'surprise' storm in Tucumcari, NM in November (well, it was a surprise to me ).

Woke up to this:



This was east of Alb, eastbound and it was 9 miles long. The trucks were stopped, wheels not turning stopped, for 9 miles.



Because of this: (sorry about the poor photo, I was supposed to be drivin' )


I tried to head south at Santa Rosa toward Roswell but the roads got worse so I returned to Hwy 40 and continued on to Alb, where I spent the night. I-25 all the way to Denver was clear.

[RecPro]

Thanks to everyone for the valuable feedback, although I probably shouldn’t have shown the Albuquerque storm photos from CIDE to my wife. She’s already nervous about our winter travels.

We are currently a few hours north of Albuquerque, and at this point the weather is looking pretty good so I think we will be heading toward Flagstaff in the morning. Worse car we can pull off and wait out any surprise weather events.

Thanks again for the help,
Paul

[GeezerViz]

Hurry up! The fun has started!

[DeeGee]

If both routes are OK, I recommend the southern route. Interstate 40 has pavement that is in bad shape.

[Mwoodofd]

Originally Posted by GeezerViz

Hurry up! The fun has started! Attachment 232506

Hope we get there later today. Only storm we got in was Dust, then sprinkle in Midland/Odessa - coach is a mess

[RecPro]

Based on the great weather earlier today and the clear forecast for Flagstaff, we decided on the northern route. Unfortunately about 48 miles west of Albuquerque on I-40 we experienced a major radiator leak which resulted in a tow to the Cummins shop in Albuquerque.

The most alarming thing is this radiator was a new replacement installed less than 5 months ago due to a small leak in the original radiator.

Tomorrow morning we will find out if we will make it to the Quartzite gathering and what support, if any, we will receive from Spartan and/or Entegra.

Wish us luck! I’ll follow-up with another thread regarding the radiator saga.