Community Forums

winnieducks · 05-02-2020, 07:47 PM

We secured a space in show low for four months. I have a half ton dodge with a hemi towing a 7000 lb travel trailer. I was wondering if there are some members who could tell me the best way? I'm considering running i-10 up to Mesa, taking hwy 87/260 through Payson then on to destination. I kind of like this as there will be small towns and gasoline available. I know it's farther, but looking at Google maps, the most direct and shortest way depicts a bunch of switchbacks. I'd appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks Gary

rk911 · 05-02-2020, 08:02 PM

we left mesa a few days ago for home in tbe chicago burbs. we're in a 2016 40' class A gasser towing a jeep suv...about 12-tons GCWR. our route of choice is almost always 87/266/277/377/77 to Holbrook where we pickup I-40. the road to payson us 4-lane and in good shape. i didn't run up the climbs at the posted speeds but i did climb them. a mix of 2 and 4-lane on the other side of Payson. the only horrible section of our road was 377 but you won't be going that way.

when we passed thru Payson i expected to see a ghost town. far from it. lots of traffic, lots of people. looked like everything was open. restaurants were adverising drive thru or curbside, some offered delivery. that would be my choice of route if i was you.

twogypsies · 05-02-2020, 11:01 PM

Tucson - take 77 to 60 at Globe. Fuel there. Then 60 to Show Low. You'll have a downhill at Salt River Canyon between Globe and Show Low and then an uphill to get out of the Canyon. Just downshift before heading down - not in the midst of the downhill. At the bottom is a large parking area at the river. It's a beautiful drive. It's a very popular route for RVers to escape the summer heat.

You certainly don't have to go all the way to Mesa and fight the traffic and additional miles. 87 to Payson is a long uphill.

bigchick · 05-03-2020, 08:31 AM

i'd second what twogypsies said. route 60 is more direct from tucson.

i live in payson and there is nothing wrong with the route 87 & 260 route. but it will be longer for you.

now about the grades. any route you take is going to have grades on it as there is a very significant elevation change from tucson to show low. now way around it. just respect them, slow down, downshift, and pay attention.

there are plenty of places to get fuel in either globe (route 60) or payson (route 87/260). we were in globe in march and found fuel to be less expensive there than it was at payson.

enjoy!