Community Forums

donhoward49 · 04-10-2016, 09:44 AM

Leaving Laughlin,, I can go south to Needles then west, or north to Searchlight then West on a 164 highway to I-15.. Anyone know about this 164 highway. Google says it saves 1 hour,, 37 ft MH towing
Thanks,, Don

Skip426 · 04-10-2016, 10:41 AM

I've never used the 164. But on my map it shows as a lower class highway than the CA 95 ; if that's the case I wouldn't use it.

From Laughlin, go south to the Avi casino , then cross the river and get on the AZ 95 ; fill up with fuel at the Smith's fuel station, at the junction,( had the best prices 2 weeks ago when I was there) if you haven't already. This route you avoid the traffic lights in Bullhead city.

NOTE: You do not want to pay Needles prices for fuel.

From Smith's to Needles is a straight line south , with some wiggling around to get onto, I-40 West bound, once on the 40 the climb is easier than the pull from Laughlin on the 163.

Safe travels.
EDIT: Fuel at the Avi, gas station was also high.

t55watson · 04-10-2016, 10:48 AM

The 164 is very doable. I have run that road with my rigs more than once. I have even made the run from 29 palms to Vegas using the Kelso-Cema rd. That was more fun.

Skip426 · 04-10-2016, 11:05 AM

A little more info on the rest of your route, CA 58 Barstow westbound there is construction for about 11 miles once your off the 4 lane section ; a much needed improvement ; to hook up to an existing 4 lane further out.
Then the intersection at , Kramer Junction, will be a bottle neck , I think it took us 6 traffic lights to get through, annoying but not worth the trouble of trying to by-pass that section of the route. Hope that CA has the funds to up-grade the whole route to four lane, soon as the 58 sees a huge amount of traffic.

stuhly · 04-10-2016, 11:27 AM

164 is just fine. Have used it several times.

donhoward49 · 04-10-2016, 12:07 PM

Skip, last year we came up AZ 95, from Needles it was rough as i remember.. But I could still fill up at Smiths, I was thinking fuel at 95/40 Arizona side..
Always open to suggestions
thanks

Skip426 · 04-10-2016, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donhoward49

Skip, last year we came up AZ 95, from Needles it was rough as i remember.. But I could still fill up at Smiths, I was thinking fuel at 95/40 Arizona side..
Always open to suggestions
thanks

Smith's was actually cheaper than the 95/40 Junction in AZ; Love's, Flying J and the Chevron; and that would be a 42 mile detour to fuel up; from central Needles, if your heading to Bakersfield. I used the highway south from Smith's ( AZ 95 ), I was on that route 4 times, twice in the coach, this winter and only the section across the bridge into Needles ( Last 2 miles ) was a little rough. The river road on the CA side ; Needles to the Avi; is rough and full of corners, and CA 95 from the I-40 to the NV border is a rough road. There is confusion about the two routes CA 95 on the west side of the Colorado River and AZ 95 on the east side.

donhoward49 · 04-11-2016, 09:02 AM

Skip, sorry about that. It was the Ca. side that was so rough. Jared some teeth filings louse. Thanks for all the help.
Looks like 164 is doable, but going through needles is less mountain.. And I have driven that one before..
Thanks everyone for the ideas,, right or wrong I am headed out

Skip426 · 04-11-2016, 09:07 AM

Safe travels , and remember that the CHiPs officers, are out there and the 55 MPH towing speed is strictly enforced .

doorguy · 04-11-2016, 07:23 PM

My sister lives in Henderson and we always go to Searchlight and catch 164 to 15 and vice versa, nice road and it is in the heart of a Joshua Tree forest, so nice views. To us, it beats, taking the crowded freeway route out to 15. When the speed limit in Searchlight is posted, follow it to a "T", they are SERIOUS about speed limits.