Greetings! I hail from the center of the U.S. (Oklahoma).
Last year, we drove the northern route-Kansas-Colorado-Wyoming-Utah-Nevada-to BM...beautiful, but very mountainous travel.
We were talking with another burner in our area (bmix) who says the New Mexico-Arizona...route is really cool....we are thinking of taking that route..
...and now after noticing Janka`s signature phrase about the plains vs. mountains....an Omen?....hmmmmm.
Could some of you enlightened travellers please list some Pro`s/Cons of either route?
...and maybe list some points of interest along the way?
`Preciate it.
...starting to get stoked!
EviLLe
High Road-or-Low Road?
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EvilDustBooger
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First of all, you must go HERE for interesting diversions:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/index.html
(Go to the "Electric Map" and search by state!)
I lived in Arizona for a short while, and if you haven't seen that part of the country I HIGHLY recommend it. Whole different planet down there! You're a little low to make best use of the I-80 route, which I take- Michigan, Indiana, Iowa,Nebraska,Wyoming, Utah, Nevada...but it's really beautiful as well. (See "Haiku" thread for part one of my Ode To I-80.)
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/index.html
(Go to the "Electric Map" and search by state!)
I lived in Arizona for a short while, and if you haven't seen that part of the country I HIGHLY recommend it. Whole different planet down there! You're a little low to make best use of the I-80 route, which I take- Michigan, Indiana, Iowa,Nebraska,Wyoming, Utah, Nevada...but it's really beautiful as well. (See "Haiku" thread for part one of my Ode To I-80.)
Howdy From Kalamazoo
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AntiM
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Are you talkin' I-40 across NM and AZ? Lots of cool tourist traps there; I adore Stewart's Rock Shop with the dinos eating peoples. Where would you swing north? Kingman/Henderson?
Trucker hubby knows these routes by heart. After all, he does it with a 75' rig. He says don't think for a minute you'll miss mountains, there's some big rises headed west and north no matter what your route, they simply aren't as dramatic or obvious. Flagstaff is at nearly 7000 feet, the grade may be gentle but it is a long hard pull. Much higher temperatures along the southern route, do you have good AC and are you willing to shut it off going uphill for several miles, especially if towing? He says he sees more breakdowns on 40 because people underestimate the climb and overwork their vehicle. Even in the big new Vovlo semi he turns off the AC going up the long grades to ease the stress on the engine.
On the plus side, I think the southern route is niftier, but there's a reason I won't ride on the truck in summer. It is freaking HOT! (except through Flagstaff, nice truckstop at Bellemont)
What are you driving? That will make a diference. Maybe go out one way, come back another just to try it out?
Trucker hubby knows these routes by heart. After all, he does it with a 75' rig. He says don't think for a minute you'll miss mountains, there's some big rises headed west and north no matter what your route, they simply aren't as dramatic or obvious. Flagstaff is at nearly 7000 feet, the grade may be gentle but it is a long hard pull. Much higher temperatures along the southern route, do you have good AC and are you willing to shut it off going uphill for several miles, especially if towing? He says he sees more breakdowns on 40 because people underestimate the climb and overwork their vehicle. Even in the big new Vovlo semi he turns off the AC going up the long grades to ease the stress on the engine.
On the plus side, I think the southern route is niftier, but there's a reason I won't ride on the truck in summer. It is freaking HOT! (except through Flagstaff, nice truckstop at Bellemont)
What are you driving? That will make a diference. Maybe go out one way, come back another just to try it out?
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EvilDustBooger
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We haven`t plotted the exact course yet. I heard about an ancient native-dwelling site or 2 that we may make a detour to see, and then supposedly end up on the "world`s loneliest road"......I plan to take a little more time this year, but I`m wondering about spending my travel days in sweltering heat. All I`m taking is my Jeep Cherokee loaded with all we can get in/on top...etc...so I`m hoping "power" won`t be an issue....I`ve never had the Jeep in serious mountains though, so I might have to turn the AC off during the steep climbs...I just don`t know? Thanks for the advice....
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AntiM
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90 is cool, don't miss the badlands of SD if you're up that far. Seems a bit out of the way, 80 is the big one across Utah and Wyoming.
)n 40, we kept passing the Petrified Forest NP (AZ) and El Malpais NM and the Meteor Crater exits, but couldn't go visit in a semi. If you camp or stay in AZ, try for the Flagstaff area, cooler and very pretty. So close to the Grand Canyon too ... I adore the Grand Canyon.
We have a 10 year old Jeep Cherokee and have towed stuff all over the US. True, we do have a tow package and no AC installed, but so far it has been reliable. (hush, hush the evil car fairies will hear you say that ...)
)n 40, we kept passing the Petrified Forest NP (AZ) and El Malpais NM and the Meteor Crater exits, but couldn't go visit in a semi. If you camp or stay in AZ, try for the Flagstaff area, cooler and very pretty. So close to the Grand Canyon too ... I adore the Grand Canyon.
We have a 10 year old Jeep Cherokee and have towed stuff all over the US. True, we do have a tow package and no AC installed, but so far it has been reliable. (hush, hush the evil car fairies will hear you say that ...)
of separation?
On a program about the construction of the interstate system that I watched recently* it stated that the maximum grade on any I-way was 6 degrees....Sure didn't seem that way in Utah or Nevada!
Howdy From Kalamazoo
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joel the ornery
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if i may make some suggestions for your road trip...
blast up to I-80 in Grand Island, Nebraska, use 2 lane roads when possible... take Route 2 into Rapid City, SD... then off to Sturgis... then to Cheyenne.
definately do highway 50 in Nevada... there are state run camping areas along the way.
and whenever possible, get out of your vehicle and stretch your legs.
i didn't, and should have.
blast up to I-80 in Grand Island, Nebraska, use 2 lane roads when possible... take Route 2 into Rapid City, SD... then off to Sturgis... then to Cheyenne.
definately do highway 50 in Nevada... there are state run camping areas along the way.
and whenever possible, get out of your vehicle and stretch your legs.
i didn't, and should have.
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AntiM
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This time headed west across I-40 I took notes:
Rest area east of Amarillo: also a tornado shelter, huge with a windmill inside and interesting displays about local history.
Just west of Amarillo, the Cadillac Ranch. I didn't catch the exit number, but it is the first one west of the ranch for the Love's truck stop. Go across the bridge over the interstate and get on the frontage road headed back east. It is back a mile or two.
Exit 291 in New Mexico, Ceurvo ghost town. Always have seen it from the road, lots of old buildings, usually some folks parked on the road in front of it. I'm not certain if you can explore freely, but it looks intriguing.
In Sant Rosa, just past Ceurvo, the Route 66 Auto Museum for all you car geeks.
Watch for the beautifully decorated overpassses in NM, native American designs. The downgrade into Albequerque is very steep for 12 miles, be careful. Entering Albequerque there's a huge silver yucca plant structure up on the right bank of the road, and big pottery sculptures in the median downtown. The soaring "spaghetti bowl" overpasses of I-40 and I-25 are beautiful, all painted in sandy red rock color with turquoise bands.
There are three or four Indian casinos past Albequirky, stopping in town is tricky traffic-wise, keep going and hit the casino for potty breaks. Most have a minimart for snacks and drinks.
East of Gallup NM is the continental divide at 7,295 feet.
Gallup has a sculpture garden next to the interstate on the right. I didn't spot how to get to it however, I think it is Miyamura Drive.
ON the Arizona and NM border, the Yellwohorse Trading Posts. Rest area on one end and a Speedy's truckstop on the other. Good tacky tourist fun. The shops are actually run by members of the Yellowhorse family, had a nice chat with Frank Yellowhorse. Also yumilicious fresh fry bread and honey.
Navajo AZ, exit 325. Chevron gas station, good restrooms, fast food, best prices on locally made art and artifacts with descriptions of the artisans. If you want nice gifts that are not from China or Mexico, stop here.
Meteor City, funky but crap is overpriced.
AZ, exit 25 Alamo Road. There is some sort of funky sphere with homemade alien spaceships, I don't know what it is, but it looks like a hoot.
There is road construction through NM and AZ, but it looks like they've finished quite a bit since May. We had no delays but did have single lane in some spots.
Rest area east of Amarillo: also a tornado shelter, huge with a windmill inside and interesting displays about local history.
Just west of Amarillo, the Cadillac Ranch. I didn't catch the exit number, but it is the first one west of the ranch for the Love's truck stop. Go across the bridge over the interstate and get on the frontage road headed back east. It is back a mile or two.
Exit 291 in New Mexico, Ceurvo ghost town. Always have seen it from the road, lots of old buildings, usually some folks parked on the road in front of it. I'm not certain if you can explore freely, but it looks intriguing.
In Sant Rosa, just past Ceurvo, the Route 66 Auto Museum for all you car geeks.
Watch for the beautifully decorated overpassses in NM, native American designs. The downgrade into Albequerque is very steep for 12 miles, be careful. Entering Albequerque there's a huge silver yucca plant structure up on the right bank of the road, and big pottery sculptures in the median downtown. The soaring "spaghetti bowl" overpasses of I-40 and I-25 are beautiful, all painted in sandy red rock color with turquoise bands.
There are three or four Indian casinos past Albequirky, stopping in town is tricky traffic-wise, keep going and hit the casino for potty breaks. Most have a minimart for snacks and drinks.
East of Gallup NM is the continental divide at 7,295 feet.
Gallup has a sculpture garden next to the interstate on the right. I didn't spot how to get to it however, I think it is Miyamura Drive.
ON the Arizona and NM border, the Yellwohorse Trading Posts. Rest area on one end and a Speedy's truckstop on the other. Good tacky tourist fun. The shops are actually run by members of the Yellowhorse family, had a nice chat with Frank Yellowhorse. Also yumilicious fresh fry bread and honey.
Navajo AZ, exit 325. Chevron gas station, good restrooms, fast food, best prices on locally made art and artifacts with descriptions of the artisans. If you want nice gifts that are not from China or Mexico, stop here.
Meteor City, funky but crap is overpriced.
AZ, exit 25 Alamo Road. There is some sort of funky sphere with homemade alien spaceships, I don't know what it is, but it looks like a hoot.
There is road construction through NM and AZ, but it looks like they've finished quite a bit since May. We had no delays but did have single lane in some spots.
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HughMungus
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- Location: Dallas, TX
Re: High Road-or-Low Road?
Why all the way over to Arizona? Last time I drove to Burning Man (from Dallas) we did it this way:EvilDustBooger wrote:Greetings! I hail from the center of the U.S. (Oklahoma).
Last year, we drove the northern route-Kansas-Colorado-Wyoming-Utah-Nevada-to BM...beautiful, but very mountainous travel.
We were talking with another burner in our area (bmix) who says the New Mexico-Arizona...route is really cool....we are thinking of taking that route..
...and now after noticing Janka`s signature phrase about the plains vs. mountains....an Omen?....hmmmmm.
Could some of you enlightened travellers please list some Pro`s/Cons of either route?
...and maybe list some points of interest along the way?
`Preciate it.
...starting to get stoked!
EviLLe
Dallas to Wichita Falls via 287 (116.9 miles)
Wichita Falls to Amarillo via 287 (225.1 miles)
Amarillo to Las Vegas via I-40 (858.8 miles)
Las Vegas to Fallon, NV (386.2 miles)
Fallon, NV to Fernley, NV (63.3 miles)
Fernley, NV to Burning Man (80 miles)
Is there a reason not to go this route?
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EvilDustBooger
- Posts: 3807
- Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:56 pm
- Location: Outside the Box
We are going to deviate our course after Albuquerque, and take in "Chaco Canyon" on the way, then head to 4/corners, then Utah to I-80, to Reno, Carson City, then back to BRC.
A convoluted route for a glorious adventure......
....besides....ain`t nothing easy about getting there from here...
...no matter how you go....Our final day of travel is going to be a KILLER.
Wish us luck.
And thanks AntiM for your tips and observations, I really apreciate
you taking the time to notice and post....looks like we are not going on
the "well beaten path".
We will return , however, using the easier I-80 to Cheyenne then South
route......
...thanks to all for your input.
.....So . anyone know much about the Chaco Canyon area???
A convoluted route for a glorious adventure......
....besides....ain`t nothing easy about getting there from here...
...no matter how you go....Our final day of travel is going to be a KILLER.
Wish us luck.
And thanks AntiM for your tips and observations, I really apreciate
you taking the time to notice and post....looks like we are not going on
the "well beaten path".
We will return , however, using the easier I-80 to Cheyenne then South
route......
...thanks to all for your input.
.....So . anyone know much about the Chaco Canyon area???
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HughMungus
- Posts: 1813
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:17 am
- Location: Dallas, TX
Yeah, I'm intent on just getting there. The drive is a bitch so I'm leaving enough time in our schedule so that we can take a four to six hour sleep break if necessary. I refuse to drive tired; simply too dangerous.EvilDustBooger wrote:We are going to deviate our course after Albuquerque, and take in "Chaco Canyon" on the way, then head to 4/corners, then Utah to I-80, to Reno, Carson City, then back to BRC.
A convoluted route for a glorious adventure......
....besides....ain`t nothing easy about getting there from here...
...no matter how you go....Our final day of travel is going to be a KILLER.
Wish us luck.
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Nightterror
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- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 8:54 am
- Location: close enough to hell i see Sparks
EDB
This may not be much help but - I would take the high road.
BTW - Good luck and please drive careful
Drive Careful goes for all you Fucktards - I only have to go 85 miles hahahahahahaa
(edited to ask everyone to have a safe trip)
This may not be much help but - I would take the high road.
BTW - Good luck and please drive careful
Drive Careful goes for all you Fucktards - I only have to go 85 miles hahahahahahaa
(edited to ask everyone to have a safe trip)
I express my excitement by brutally interrogating whomever is nearby
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AntiM
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- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 5:23 am
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What's your route north through Utah? If you end up on 6 (I-70 to Spanish Fork) do be ubercareful; it is one of the most dangerous highways in America. Really. Pretty though and one of my favorite drives.
Udot should have this mess cleaned up soon:
http://www2.standard.net/standard/58957/
Udot should have this mess cleaned up soon:
http://www2.standard.net/standard/58957/
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EvilDustBooger
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Dern it. Don`t have our course in front of me, so I can`t say if thats on our route, but thanks for the warning!AntiM wrote:If you end up on 6 (I-70 to Spanish Fork) do be ubercareful; it is one of the most dangerous highways in America. Really. Pretty though and one of my favorite drives.
Udot should have this mess cleaned up soon:
http://www2.standard.net/standard/58957/
Geez. I`m glad I wasn`t around when that "accident" occured.(link)
Military stuff sounds like...."ordinance".....
....I`ll post our exact course later, maybe tomorrow.....
It`s almost time!!!
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AntiM
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Naw, mining and demolition explosives. I'm amazed the drivers got out and away. Scary stuff, can you imagine if that went down in a city?
If you go up 95, you will cross Canyonlands NP, worth a look. And then if you swing up 24 to I-70, make the side trip to Goblin Valley. Nifty. You may recognize it from GalaxyQuest.
Anyone headed north on I-15 to I-80 (without too large a trailer in tow and time on their hands) may want to cross over to hwy 89 through Zion NP and head up Long Valley. A few extra miles, well, several few, but extraordinarily scenic. It doesn't add all that much time to the drive (she the non-driver says). I think Big Rock Candy Mountain is on that leg.
If you go up 95, you will cross Canyonlands NP, worth a look. And then if you swing up 24 to I-70, make the side trip to Goblin Valley. Nifty. You may recognize it from GalaxyQuest.
Anyone headed north on I-15 to I-80 (without too large a trailer in tow and time on their hands) may want to cross over to hwy 89 through Zion NP and head up Long Valley. A few extra miles, well, several few, but extraordinarily scenic. It doesn't add all that much time to the drive (she the non-driver says). I think Big Rock Candy Mountain is on that leg.