Community Forums

Switchflicke · 01-25-2019, 09:03 AM

We're heading to Apache Junction from the north early in February this year
I was thinking of going west through Albuquerque and at Holbrook going south to Show Low, Payson and down to the Mesa Apache area.
Is there wisdom in doing that route or would we be better to stay on I40 to Flagstaff and then south?
Also could I have some thoughts on cutting out Show Low and taking no. 377 to near Heber.

Thanks very much for you help

Stan

WinnieView · 01-25-2019, 09:33 AM

Either route would work but during any winter storms you may want to be closer to more resources and safe harbor places such as those along the Interstates.

Switchflicke · 01-25-2019, 09:39 AM

Those are my thoughts as well.
We certainly will be keeping a sharp eye on the weather all the way
Stan

Bob_C · 01-25-2019, 09:50 AM

Watch the pavement around Flagstaff...

twogypsies · 01-25-2019, 03:10 PM

Here's my reply given on the 'other' forum you posted on.

I'd recommend going through Show Low to Payson and yes, 377, is an excellent road for RVers. If there's bad weather on this route there is sure to be equally or worse weather taking I-17 out of Flagstaff. Another route out of Show Low is to take Hwy 60 to Globe ending in Apache Junction. All of the above routes will have a steep downhill into the Phoenix area. Phoenix is much lower in elevation. We've done them all.

Switchflicke · 01-25-2019, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Watch the pavement around Flagstaff...

Do you mean pot-holes or broken edges?
Stan

no3putt · 01-25-2019, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchflicke

We're heading to Apache Junction from the north early in February this year
I was thinking of going west through Albuquerque and at Holbrook going south to Show Low, Payson and down to the Mesa Apache area.
Is there wisdom in doing that route or would we be better to stay on I40 to Flagstaff and then south?
Also could I have some thoughts on cutting out Show Low and taking no. 377 to near Heber.

Thanks very much for you help

Stan

you do not have to go to Show low to get to Payson. There is a road from Holbrook to Payson and will save you time. We have gone thru Heber every year. SKIP

Bob_C · 01-25-2019, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchflicke

Do you mean pot-holes or broken edges?
Stan

Potholes...

AZ RV'r · 01-25-2019, 04:57 PM

Flagstaff down has rougher roads but is high traffic wider lanes that are 2-3 in each direction like most interstates. The Show Low route going thru Heber is mostly 55-65 but has areas that will drop to 45. The roads are fairly smoother than the Flagstaff route but the roads are mostly two lane, one in each direction with passing lanes every few miles. The lanes are skinnier and the roads are curvier. Both have substantial down hill grades for miles.

bigchick · 01-25-2019, 07:18 PM

from holbrook take AZ-77 south the AZ-377 (only a few miles). stay on AZ-377 to heber then take AZ-260 west to payson. then AZ-87 south down to the mesa / apache junction area.

AZ-77, AZ-377, AZ-260 are all two lane roads with passing lanes every few miles. the are just fine and many semis take this route from phoenix to US-40 east as this is the shortest route. AZ-87 between mesa and payson is a full 4 lane fully divided highway. all of these roads are in good shape.

you will hit a couple of downgrades. one on AZ-260 just west of forest lakes and one on AZ-87 about 25 south of payson. neither is extreme nor overly steep. just downshift and you'll be fine. we pull a large 5th wheel and have no problem.

as far as weather goes the odds are it will be just fine. but it can snow and freeze on all of these roads so pay attention to the weather reports.

don't know when you will be travelling in february but in the first week of february this route is used by the hashknnife pony express as they carry mail from holbrook to scottsdale. if this is happening when you travel there will be escort vehicles and cops on the route. plus the horses and riders.

finally, every time we take AZ-87 down to the phoenix area there are highway patrol or tribal police patrolling the road. the speed limit is 65 but it's a wide open road so they are able to find plenty of people going faster than that. it's not a problem as an rv driver wouldn't speed.

many very scenic views in strikingly different eco systems along this route

Switchflicke · 01-26-2019, 09:16 AM

Thanks for your reply AZ RV'r. I'm getting the hang of the down hill slopes. Since our engine is a 8.1 gasser we don't have an engine brake, but downshifting is getting more natural to me.
Thanks for the great info bigchic. Judging by you location, you must have a lot of first hand experience on these roads. Like I said before we will check the weather very carefully before we leave the comfort of US83. Speaking of Comfort, I have one more question. Can you comment on the Comfort Inn in Payson. I've never seen a substandard Comfort Inn, but you never know. We want to get to Apache early in the day so as to be 'fresh' when we set up so a stop in Payson would work well. We don't want to set up the MotorHome for an overnight stop 'cause it's been in a snowbank for the last four months!

Stan

bigchick · 01-27-2019, 04:45 AM

no i have no personal experience with the comfort inn. it looks well maintained from the outside. i'm assuming they meet the standards for the chain. there's also a quality inn that seems to do a good business. we used it several years ago when we were moving here. do not expect anything upscale in payson. there is a denny's and chili's chain restaurants and several local cafes. plus tons of fast food outlets. we're still a smaller rural town that is struggling to grow up. but it grows on you. it will only take you about an hour and a half to get to where you are headed after leaving payson. it a great road with some great views. the only thing i would watch would be the weather. you will be travelling from above 7,000 up on the rim, down to 5,000 here in payson, and much lower down in the phoenix area. it is clear and dry the vast majority of the time. but we get 3 or 4 storms with snow each year. it's only inches when it comes, but it does come. safe travels

Switchflicke · 01-27-2019, 08:19 AM

Thanks bigchic I looked at the parking lot (the important thing) using bing satellite view and it looks like I can enter, park and exit without disconnecting the toad. Backing up is a no-no.
Thanks again to all the good people who responded
Safe travels to all
Stan

bigchick · 01-27-2019, 08:27 AM

you might want to call them to check on the parking and access. i don't think there is much paved parking and maneuvering room on their property for large vehicles. but there is a large lot to the north east adjacent to their property that is unpaved. i think they own it and it has been used for rv parking. but double check.