Community Forums

noeldale · 04-27-2017, 07:32 AM

I've taken 377, 260 and 86 down into Phoenix in my car but only once. A very pretty drive and not real bad.

The question is "Do I take this route back up to I-40 or its it better taking US-60 to 77 then up to Holbrook?"

We will be in the 03 Neptune, 37' DP with Malibu toad and am not looking to overload any of the vehicles. The final destination is Michigan so short term direction is not that important. We are also not on a schedule and it will be late April.

Thanks in advance. Just like to plan ahead and not be surprised.

ON EDIT

I know the other option is I-17 north to Flagstaff and don't know if that might actually be better.

sbleiweiss · 04-27-2017, 07:35 AM

Why not I-17 straight up to Flagstaff and I-40? It is a pretty drive too.

no3putt · 04-27-2017, 07:38 AM

We have taken 87 up to Payson then on to Holbrook. Nice drive but two lane road from Payson to Holbrook. Skip

Waiter21 · 04-27-2017, 07:48 AM

US-60 is windy and switchback, but should be easily negotiable. There is a long descent and climb about 1/2 way between Globe and Showlow . I think its called Black Canyon. . I've run it several times in my 30ft Ford V10 Mirada with a toad. We haven't run it yet in our 35 ft Soutwind (ford V10) Its all two lane road, but good.

We like to stay on US-60, all the way through to Vaughn, NM where we then go north on US54 to Santa Rosa (I-40). Next trip, we'll do US-60 all the way through to Amarillo.

Cooperhawk · 04-27-2017, 07:57 AM

I do not like I17 north of PHX! Have driven it several times and do not like all the traffic with five mile grades, drop offs, and no guard rails!

After asking on this forum for alternatives, I received and used these suggestions.

87 to Payson, 260 to 377 to Holbrook. Nice route with a few grades and very scenic. Stopped in Payson for lunch. Some two lane north of Payson, but light traffic and was not a problem.

Cooperhawk · 04-27-2017, 07:58 AM

Actually 277 to 377.

deputybubba · 04-27-2017, 09:28 AM

I did this exact route about a month ago.
Be aware that on the road north from Forest Lakes/Heber to Holbrook it seems that don't pass zones don't count.

I came head on into a jeep passing a semi on a curve on the way north.
on the return trip I witnessed several cars passing in the no pass areas.

very odd, but otherwise not a bad drive.

twogypsies · 04-27-2017, 11:03 AM

From Phoenix taking 87 to 260 east to 377 is a very good route. We would highly prefer this over the I-17 to I-40 route. It's used by RVers all the time as that's the area to be in the summer for the 'valley' folks! You will have a climb getting out of Phoenix to Payson but after that it's an easy drive.

There is now some construction on the 60/77 route through Salt Canyon with some closing times or one-lane so check it out on the highway dept. I think I read the one-lane issues would only be a 20 minute delay or so.