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UpNorth Holiday · 10-26-2013, 04:52 PM

First time driving West. Not sure which highway is more class A friendly heading west thru the mountains from Flagstaff. Will be around the first or second week in January. Any suggestions?

1ciderdog · 10-26-2013, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UpNorth Holiday

First time driving West. Not sure which highway is more class A friendly heading west thru the mountains from Flagstaff. Will be around the first or second week in January. Any suggestions?

If traveling thru the mountains from Flagstaff as I highlighted above I'd think I-40 would be the route. Be sure to check for weather. I-40 does close for winter storms.

cappelte · 10-27-2013, 08:27 AM

We drove 40 out of Flagstaff to Albuquerque. No problem for our Class A. It is a nice drive too!

RedWing Nut · 10-27-2013, 08:53 AM

Where are you starting from and what is your destination?

Luckiest Dreamer · 10-27-2013, 09:25 AM

Snow is common on I-40. The chance of a sand storm is more common along I-10 although 10 does not go through Flagstaff. However either highway is fine for an RV.

UpNorth Holiday · 10-27-2013, 11:03 AM

[QUOTE="RedWing Nut;1782598"]Where are you starting from and what is your destination?[/QUOTE

We are planning to leave Northern Mn. Around the first of January. Our destination is the LA area. Any advise welcome.

UpNorth Holiday · 10-27-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckiest Dreamer

Snow is common on I-40. The chance of a sand storm is more common along I-10 although 10 does not go through Flagstaff. However either highway is fine for an RV.

Thank you so much for your reply. I assume adequate gas stations on both hays. ?

UpNorth Holiday · 10-27-2013, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog

If traveling thru the mountains from Flagstaff as I highlighted above I'd think I-40 would be the route. Be sure to check for weather. I-40 does close for winter storms.

Thank you much for your advise.

Luckiest Dreamer · 10-27-2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UpNorth Holiday

Thank you so much for your reply. I assume adequate gas stations on both hays. ?

Yes, however the price may be at or near the top of any place in the country and when you get in the desert areas west, such as Needles, Ca the distance between stations may be such that you cannot count on them all having Diesel or for that matter still in business.

EZDZIT · 10-27-2013, 12:17 PM

In January, I would head south to I-10. Snow and icy conditions from Winslow (and even Albuquerque) through Flagstaff and on to Kingman with road closures are not uncommon. It can also be very cold in Flagstaff in winter.
The sandstorms on I-10 are usually later in the year during monsoon season. However, it can also be cold with icy conditions around El Paso in winter. Allow extra time to "hole up" for a couple days if the weather turns bad.
On either route, fuel up in Arizona before entering California.

UpNorth Holiday · 10-27-2013, 12:20 PM

Thank you very much for your advice, much appreciated.

richardcoxid · 10-27-2013, 08:34 PM

Check out the following web sites,

http://www.az511.com/adot/files/traffic/

http://www.accuweather.com/

http://www.weather.com/

Every state has a “winter road/snow conditions web site” or something similar just Google for the states that you are going thru.

As for Accu weather/Weather sites just enter the town that you are going thru, they have a daily forecast as well as a extended weathert/snow forecast etc. then choose which would be the best way to travel on that day. Remember it is winter, road can change daily.

If you go south from Flagstaff (el. about 7000’) on I-17 the first 30-40 miles are downhill after that it will be snow free to I-10 and clear into LA.

If you are Diesel check out the following-

http://www.dieselboss.com/fuel.htm

http://www.gocomchek.com/

http://gasbuddy.com/ This will list Gas/Diesel

Safe travels!!

skigramp · 10-28-2013, 12:55 PM

Have you considered not going through Flagstaff? To me Flagstaff is the spot most likely to encounter bad weather you have outlined.

Perhaps you should think of heading south at Albuquerque ... or even going south at Kansas City to Wichita before heading west. US 54 between Wichita and Tucumcari is a good road, I have travelled it more than once.

UpNorth Holiday · 10-28-2013, 01:07 PM

Great advise. We are looking into that route. Appreciate your advice. Also looking at how to get around Kansas City . Looks like hwy. 435 is best. Any experience there?