Flagstaff to Lake Elsinore, CA

[McGarrett50]

Would like to take I-40/Route 66 West with a final destination in Lake Elsinore, CA this April.

Instead of taking I-40 all the way, we're thinking about bailing on I-40 just before Needles and taking US 95 South to I-10 so we can:

1) Avoid the California stretch of I-40 from Needles to Barstow (which I read is pretty rough, desolate and boring)
2) Visit the Palm Desert & Palm Spring area briefly (which we've never seen)

In both cases we end up on I-15.

Would appreciate any opinions on these 2 options.

-More interested in scenery than time
-After Lake Elsinore we plan to visit Barstow anyway on way to Las Vegas via I-15.
-We drive a 32' Class A Gasser w/Tow

Thank you!

[skigramp]

You might consider going south on I-17 at Flagstaff to the northern suburbs of Phoenix ... then take 303 around the NW outskirts of Phoenix to join I-10.

I-17 is quite scenic ... there are some serious downgrades on this route ... you lose about 6000 feet of elevation between Flagstaff and Phoenix. You will see several different environments: tall Pines ... junipers ... cactii.

There are cliff dwellings, Montezuma's castle, about 2 miles from the interstate at Camp Verde ... there is ample parking for RVs ... there is a paved walking path ... this is an observation only park (you can walk inside the dwellings at some other parks ... Mesa Verde for instance)

[LarryW21]

Barstow and Lake Elsinore?

[Wireman1]

Originally Posted by skigramp

You might consider going south on I-17 at Flagstaff to the northern suburbs of Phoenix ... then take 303 around the NW outskirts of Phoenix to join I-10.

I-17 is quite scenic ... there are some serious downgrades on this route ... you lose about 6000 feet of elevation between Flagstaff and Phoenix. You will see several different environments: tall Pines ... junipers ... cactii.

There are cliff dwellings, Montezuma's castle, about 2 miles from the interstate at Camp Verde ... there is ample parking for RVs ... there is a paved walking path ... this is an observation only park (you can walk inside the dwellings at some other parks ... Mesa Verde for instance)

X2 Casino at Camp Verde if you like those. Also a nice RV park across I-17 from the casino.

[twogypsies]

Your plan is good. At Needles take 95 south to I-10. Don't omit Joshua Tree Nat'l Park. That would be a pretty time to be there.

[Glenn and Kathy]

Use AZ 95 from exit 9 in AZ. Do not recommend CA 95 from Needles. AZ 95 will take you thru Lake Havasu City, but still the better drive. You will cross the river at Parker on Hwy 62 and meet up with CA 95 at Vidal Junction. You can then take 62 west to hwy 177, then go south to I10. or stay on 62 thru 29 Palms. I cruise this area regularly in my coach and that's what I would do.

Glenn

[McGarrett50]

Thanks for the suggestions. Still not sure which option to take.

[Dr4Film]

My choice would be I-17 south to I-10 but plan a stopover to see Sedona AZ off the I-17 freeway. Take the 303 or the 101 bypass around Phoenix to get to the I-10 west.

Dr4Film ----- Richard