Roads to ride in AZ

[trosco]

CJ and the rest of the AZ based gang: I am coming to the Kanab rally and will spend 2 days in AZ on the way. Will come into AZ from the Gila Nat Forest in NM and stay at Alpine first night and Prescott 2nd night.

Leaving Alpine, should I loop south on 191 and then 70 west to get to Mesa or; north on 191 and then west on 60? After that, plan is to take 60 out of Phoenix then 89 up to Prescott spend the night and then a bit more 89 followed by rt 66 over to Kingman then take 93 on up to vegas. Something in there that I should skip or something that I should add ?

T Ross

[cactusjack]

If you want to try the best ride in the whole state (in my opinion), go south from Alpine on 191, this is also known as the Coronado Trail. This road puts the Tail of the Kitten or whatever it's called in TN/NC to shame. It will take you about 2.5-3.0 hours to travel the 90 miles to Morenci, where 191 goes through one of the largest open pit copper mines in the world. Once you get past Morenci, you can kick up the speed, and take AZ-70 W through Safford, San Carlos and Globe. In Globe, you hit US-60 which will take you right into Mesa. http://byways.org/explore/byways/2059 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/drives/Coronado-Trail.htm

If you have the time to do it, it's worth it.

If you're in more of a hurry, take 191 N from Alpine to Springerville, then take US-60 W to Show Low. At Show Low, take AZ-260 W to Payson, then AZ-87 N through Pine and Strawberry. 7 Miles N of Strawberry, turn left at the junction (AZ-260) to I-17 S for 8.2 miles to Exit 278. Take AZ-169 S to AZ-69 N, which will take you right into Prescott. That's the most direct route to Prescott from Alpine.

Your other option is to proceed to Show Low, then take US-60 W through the Salt River Canyon to Globe, then to Mesa, also a great ride.

Options 1 and 3 that I listed will force you to ride across a large portion of the Phoenix Metro area. To get to Prescott coming in from the east into Mesa, you've got a good 75 miles or so of urban traffic you have to fight your way through. It's all freeway, but some people try to avoid major urban areas. Traffic can be hairy through here, depending on the day of week and time of day.

[Sin City Stan]

Also, instead of driving through the center of Las Vegas (8 lane freeway) go through the Lake Mead Recreation Area. It will cost you $7 to get into the Rec. Area but a National Parks Pass will get you in free. It's a very scenic ride.

Plan your gas stops because from about 1/2 way up Hwy. 93 to Overton, NV there is only one gas station at Hoover Dam and they're really proud of their gasoline. :bird:

See map link.

http://g.co/maps/dczjw

[markclark57]

We will be leaving Phoenix on Monday morning (5-25-12) for a leisurely 348 miles to the rally. We haven't really given much thought to a "group" ride due to the short run. :shrug:

[cactusjack]

We will be leaving Phoenix on Monday morning (5-25-12) for a leisurely 348 miles to the rally. We haven't really given much thought to a "group" ride due to the short run. :shrug:

You better double check that date, Mark. May 25th is a Friday.

[trosco]

Thanks all!!! Based on the advice I am changing my route a bit. Gonna come into AZ on I-10 and stay the first night in Wilcox (was having trouble finding place to stay in Alpine). First days ride will be up 191 thru Safford to Alpine where I will get 60. Take that west to Show Low. That will keep me out of Phoenix and give me the best ride to boot!
I have to be in Vegas by 3 the next day so decided that I will jog up to I-40 on 77 at Holbrook and run on to Flagstaff for the night. That will be a 400 mile day (not bad) but alot of it will be on mountains roads so it will be a full day. The next day will be about 250 miles if I do a bit of Route 66 between Seligman and Kingman which I should be able to do and still make Vegas by 3, don't you think?

[cactusjack]

Which way are you coming in on I-10? If coming from the east (which I assume you are), why go to Willcox, then backtrack to go to Safford?

Why not just go to Safford? Take US-70 at Lordsburg, NM and it will take you directly to Safford (75 miles, versus 74 to go to Willcox and then 45 miles from Willcox to Safford)

Alpine is a very small town, we usually stay at the Tal-Wi-Wi Lodge when we spend the night, but there aren't many lodging options there. Safford is much larger and has several larger motels. There are a couple of good places to eat in Alpine, though - and ONE gas station.

Good idea to bypass PHX altogether. You will enjoy this portion of your trip.