Driving from LA to Santa Fe: What's the best route?
 

Is it better to go to go up thru Barstow and then I-40?

Or along I-10 thru Phoenix...and then up to Flagstaff and I-40?

Thanks.

What time of year? That can make a huge difference.
Deb

The trip will be in the next two weeks...in a fully-air conditioned Toyota Sequioa SUV.

Thanks!

Next question, do you want fastest way; scenic way; non-stop or with a stop and/or overnight?

Deb

IF you want scenic.....and can take the heat until you get past Phoenix....I would hit Phoenix via I 10 and then take the Beeline Hwy 87... go thru Payson then to Hwy 260 thru Pinetop-Lakeside....then take Hwy 60 to Springerville and on into New Mexico. At Socorro, turn north and go on up to Santa Fe.

About 30 minutes east of Phoenix the temps will drop and you'll get to see the Mogollion Rim and White Mtns. which are beautiful this time of year. If you need a rest stop I'd probably pick Show Low or Pinetop, it will be cool and you're then in the pines. About 50 miles west of Socorro is the Very Large Array....google it, it's wild to see out there.....I'd say that area is the southern version of Big Sky Country......then going home you could stay on I 40 and see the Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and Grand Canyon if you have the time.....have fun!

Usually we just take I-40 from Albuquerque to Barstow and then I-15 into Los Angeles.

That will be plenty hot without going through Phoenix, but Hwy. 87 should be pretty this time of year, so you might want to consider Cactusue's suggestion.

Lee Ann