Community Forums

carlstone05 · 05-17-2022, 07:22 PM

Heading up just past Strawberry AZ and wondering about the grade and curves on 87. I’ll be picking up 87 in Phoenix and will be loaded with water, fuel and SXS.

Thanks

DbleDutch · 05-17-2022, 09:26 PM

Travel that all the time fully loaded and a toad. 260 from Payson to Strawberry+ is 2way single lane. Slower speeds. Phx to Payson is grades up and down, enjoy your tow/haul mode. Phoenix at 1200 ft to Strawberry at about 6000 ft means you are climbing most of the 100 mi.

twogypsies · 05-17-2022, 10:45 PM

It's a beautiful drive and we've done it often. It's very popular with RVers. Just know that you'll be going uphill for a long time. Only you know what you can do in that respect.

bigchick · 05-18-2022, 06:33 AM

we live in payson and take that route all the time.

87 is a four lane divided hwy from its intersection with loop 202 in mesa all the way up to payson (about 80 miles). continuing north up to and past strawberry it is a 2 lane road. every type of rv and semi takes this route without issues.

as mentioned you will do some climbing in elevation. mesa is around 1300 feet, payson 5000 feet, strawberry 6000 feet, and up on the rim past strawberry you will get over 7000 feet. there will be some upgrades and there are a few downgrades. going north on 87 there is a long 6-7% downgrade once you crest mt ord. just gear down and it is fine.
once you get past strawberry going north there will be an upgrade taking you up onto the rim. it has one turn that is posted at 20 mph. just take it slow. but as mentioned, these routes are travelled by every type of rv and semi truck ever made hourly! you will be fine!!!

enjoy the scenery! you'll travel through several distinct ecological zones and they all have beauty. the cactus are in bloom now.

make sure you have fuel as there are no stations past ft mcdowell until you get to payson (60 miles). and there may be a couple of places where you will lose cell phone.

and a final word, watch you speed. the road between mesa and payson is posted for 65 mph but many people take it much faster. the highway patrol has increased their enforcement in this section.