Community Forums

Tahoetom · 09-21-2021, 01:24 PM

Past forums are very old, Traveling from Gallup NM north, was planning up 491 to Monument Valley but neighbor in RV park said just came down 491 and said its a pot hole bumpy nightmare. Now looking at 191 north. Anyone traveled either one lately ? 32' Class A gasser towing. Thanks

FlagRS · 09-21-2021, 08:12 PM

All the roads out on The Navajo are bad. They are narrow and the asphalt is old and in bad condition. It's like a third world country out there. I have been traveling those roads for the past forty years. In June I pulled our fifth wheel to Colorado and back across The Navajo Reservation. The section of 191 between 160 and Bluff is one of the worst roads I have been on in a while. There is one section about five miles long where the asphalt has deteriorated so bad it feels like it going to rip the tires off your rims. Of course that's not going to happen you just need to drive about 50 mph and take it easy. I haven't been on the the section of 191 south of 160 in many years, but I that section is more traveled and should be better.

Regarding 491 North of Gallup, that too is a major route and should be better than most roads out there. On the other hand 64 west of Shiprock towards Monument Valley is terrible. I recommend taking the most direct route to Bluff from Gallup. 491 Northbound to 264 Westbound through Window Rock. Catch 191 Northbound all the way to Bluff. Be extra cautious out there it's open range and the locals enter and leave the roadway without notice.

Tahoetom · 09-21-2021, 09:41 PM

Thank you very much for the heads up. Will take your advice and take the 491 first thing in the morning. Will let you know what happens tomorrow night.

Thanks again, big help/

Tom

Retiree1 · 09-21-2021, 10:24 PM

This may be too late, but I just traveled up to Monument Valley a few days ago on 191 up to 160 and over to 163. Road was pretty good most of the way but last 20 or so miles of 191 was rough. It is doable if you take it slow. Suspension would bottom out going over about 40 mph. 160 has a lot of ripples due to crack repairs. 163 is in good shape.

Tahoetom · 09-22-2021, 10:04 PM

I appreciate everyone's input. Came up 491 a great 4 lane road all the way at 65 mph, about a one mile stretch where repairs were made was bumpy but due to no traffic used the passing lane. Took 160 to 41 to 162 all 2 lane and extremely narrow with zero shoulder into Bluff with smooth sailing. Tom