Community Forums

Charlie and Martha · 11-19-2019, 09:38 PM

As we do annually we are about to make our trek to Tucson. I have had it with I-10. We are now looking at Highway 9 between El Paso and Douglas, AZ.

Can anyone tell me how this route is and what the topography is like? Mountains, flat, hilly? Thanks in advance.

momdoc · 11-20-2019, 08:05 AM

Watching this thread as we are planning a similar route this coming Feb.

A32Deuce · 11-20-2019, 09:23 AM

If you have the time and effort, use Google earth street view and sat image. I do that for all my trips on roads I have never used. I like back roads over using interstate highways.

Charlie and Martha · 11-20-2019, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

If you have the time and effort, use Google earth street view and sat image. I do that for all my trips on roads I have never used. I like back roads over using interstate highways.

I actually do this as well. However we are in a place with VERY slow internet available on our hot spots. Thanks for the tip though. It is appreciated.

robertkathy · 11-20-2019, 11:00 AM

i have done the trip to az via texas by going the i20 to the i10 and the i40 to the i17 to the i10

dec 8th we are leaving penscola and are going to take the i10 all the way

grindstone01 · 11-20-2019, 11:13 AM

Try this "google map" link for HWY 9. You can zoom in or out and click the edge of the screen to move farther down the road.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/El+P...7!2d31.3445471

creativepart · 11-20-2019, 11:18 AM

To me, the worst part of that trip is the El Paso part. And 9 won't let you skip that.

I've not taken it. Looks like it's super remote and just a few miles from the Mexican border. Would you go all the way to Douglas, or head north on NM 80 and pick up 10 to Steins?

We travel from San Antonio to Tucson each January. It seems that every RV in the country is on I-10 all the way there and all the way home in February.

Duoglide1 · 11-23-2019, 09:37 PM

We did not drive it from ELP although that blacktop is fairly new. We dropped down from Deming and stayed at Poncho Villa state park in Columbus in October. Great little park but only water & electric with dump station. We also walked into Palomas to “The Pink store”. Cant miss it. Hwy 9 is a small 2 lane in pretty good shape over to Rodeo and 80 is good road to Douglas. Not much traffic and lots of Border Patrol. We stay in Benson and quite a few here travel to Columbus to the state park.

Charlie and Martha · 11-23-2019, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grindstone01

Try this "google map" link for HWY 9. You can zoom in or out and click the edge of the screen to move farther down the road.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/El+P...7!2d31.3445471

Quote:

Originally Posted by creativepart

To me, the worst part of that trip is the El Paso part. And 9 won't let you skip that.

I've not taken it. Looks like it's super remote and just a few miles from the Mexican border. Would you go all the way to Douglas, or head north on NM 80 and pick up 10 to Steins?

We travel from San Antonio to Tucson each January. It seems that every RV in the country is on I-10 all the way there and all the way home in February.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duoglide1

We did not drive it from ELP although that blacktop is fairly new. We dropped down from Deming and stayed at Poncho Villa state park in Columbus in October. Great little park but only water & electric with dump station. We also walked into Palomas to “The Pink store”. Cant miss it. Hwy 9 is a small 2 lane in pretty good shape over to Rodeo and 80 is good road to Douglas. Not much traffic and lots of Border Patrol. We stay in Benson and quite a few here travel to Columbus to the state park.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the information. We'll try Highway 9 for a different route. By the way Grindstone your link was most helpful.

followingsea · 11-23-2019, 11:09 PM

Made the trip and stayed at Poncho Villa state park in Columbus in February.

If you are okay with going slow on a two lane roads it is an easy drive with no mountains on highway 9.

I may do it again this year and spend more time if weather permits.

Charlie and Martha · 12-08-2019, 10:26 PM

Thanks everyone,

Highway 9 is just fine. No real problems except being narrow in some spots. Stayed at Poncho Villa State Park in Columbus. Great place for a stop and lots of history there.

followingsea · 12-09-2019, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie and Martha

Thanks everyone,

Highway 9 is just fine. No real problems except being narrow in some spots. Stayed at Poncho Villa State Park in Columbus. Great place for a stop and lots of history there.

Thanks for the feedback.

t55watson · 12-13-2019, 09:09 PM

I winter in Sierra Vista and have driven Rte 9 many times. 2 lane well maintained and nothing on it you can't handle. It is the overwidth route that I 10 can't handle so you know it's not bad.
Stay on 80 from Douglas and at Bisbee you can take S R 90 on the South end of town or S R 92 just a few miles North of town. both will take you to Sierra Vista and then you are 65 miles from Tuscon via S R 92 and I 10.

van-gogh · 12-14-2019, 05:14 AM

Also, there will be a FOOTBALL Bowl Game in El Paso, Texas this December 30th, 2019 into January. 2nd 2020 also don't forget the 1st is New Years' Day as "Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Florida State Univ and Arizona State.