I'll be driving from Durango to eastern Phoenix (Gilbert) in late March. I'd appreciate your recommendations as to whether it's best to stay on the interstates from Holbrook to Phoenix, or whether it's a nicer drive going down through Show Low or Payson. Map Quest indicates that the route through Show Low takes about 40 minutes longer, but is 50 miles shorter than the interstate route via Flagstaff. Since Map Quest tends to overestimate drive times, I'm wondering if the time difference is accurate.

Does the weather make a difference as to the advisability of either route? I'll be arriving in Gilbert on a Saturday around 5pm, if that has any bearing on traffic delays.

Thanks, travellyn

travellyn,

By all means take the I 40 as far as Winslow, then rte 87 from Winslow to Phoenix, passing through Payson! It's beautiful and deserted until Payson, from there, it's a divided highway, so you can drive almost as fast as on the interstate (it's a bit curvier). The interstate might be a little faster, but I doubt it and it's a great drive!

Had the same question as you 2 years ago and someone on this forum recommended the route to me.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Thanks Andre!

I prefer interstates for speed and the I40 drive is a view, of course never as good as off the interstate. We left holbrook and travelled toward Flagstaff in late March 2000 or 1999, and got snowed in I 40 was closed for days and we headed south to Phoenix which was 70ish degrees, missed Sedona and all but loved the ride, not the snow.