Best route from S. Oregon to Phoenix

[aliner]

Planning on traveling from S. Oregon to Phoenix in late March. Any advise on the best route to take this time of year?

Lynn

[Mark Wiltrakis]

Lynn -
I travel to the Phoenix area twice a year to visit family. Hands down my favorite route is 395 along the east slope of the Sierras, especially in Spring when the mountains are snow covered. At Barstow, I take I-40 to Kingman - much bleaker scenery. I also like 95 thru Fallon, NV south to Las Vegas. I've driven I-5 and 99 multiple times and both are crowded, uninteresting drives on road surfaces in poor condition. I've driven I-84 across Idaho and then I-15 south through Utah, but it too is less scenic. Pay attention to weather forecasts, though, as both 395 and 95 are at high elevations in spots and snow can be an issue.
Mark

[Drathaar]

Lynn,

If you don't want to deal with some serious passes on 395, I recommend 95 in Nevada. I 5 to Mt Shasta, then to Reno via Susanville, then to Fernly and Fallon to catch 95. When you get to the Las Vegas area, take Clark County 215 to avoid going into LV. I believe it's also called Centennial. That route puts you on I 15 east of the real busy stuff.

There are good RV parks in the Reno area, Hawthorne, and one we like is the Beatty RV park.

As Mark said, watch the weather. Have links to trip check, cal trans and nevada DOT.

[Oregon Ms]

US 97 (stop in at Crater Lake Nat Park if you the time) through Oregon then US 95 through Nevada. Less crowded, better (and cheaper) camping. Gas is less expensive in Nevada than California and so is camping and food usually. Load up on gas and groceries before you leave Reno. Plenty of boon-docking opportunities if you're looking for that. You're passing Death Valley Nat Park, Death Valley in March is great, the wildflowers are coming on. I love the hot springs at Beatty, fun place to overnight, and from there you are just a few miles from the ghost town of Rhodolite which is a worthy stop. Overnighting in Reno (Grand Sierra RV park is easy) and Vegas (Sam's Town also makes it easy) keeps things entertaining if you're a player.

[aliner]

Thanks everyone for your input! Really appreciate it. Great advice.

Lynn

[lstepp2]

If you enjoy the drive and want to avoid the snow from Oregon to Phoenix and the the 8,000 feet tall mountain on the road into Salt Lake City travel the following roads:
1. If in Portland, I-84 to Twin Falls. Idaho. The snow ends in northern Nevada.
2. take US 93 south, bypass I-80.
3. Continue to travel south on US 93 to I-15.
4. Travel Southwest on I-15 to Las Vegas. While in Vegas. Stop and enjoy
a great but cheap Steak or Lobster dinner.
5. Visit Hoover Dam.
6. Continue to travel South on US-93 to Kingman, Arizona.
7. Head east on I-40
8. Exit onto I-93, this will bring you into Wickenburg.
9. In Wickenburg US-93 turns into US-60.
10. The US-60 goes through Wittmann.
11. Through Glendale and into Phoenix.
12. If you want to travel to Tempe, Mesa, or Apache Junction turn onto I-17
13. I-17 merges with eastbound I-10. Following I-10 to the US-60 exit. The
US-60. You are now heading into Tempe, next is Mesa, alas is A.J.
I travel this way and have avoided all snow and Ice after I enter North
Nevada's high desert.
I hope this helps; Lonnie

[pappy19]

Lstepp2 has the best route, IMHO, and I have taken it many times myself. Coming from Salt Lake City down to Nevada, the Virgin River Canyon is quite steep and long, just an FYI on your brakes, unless you have a "tow/haul" tranny, which helps alot.

[idroba]

Yes, lstepp2 has the route knocked. It is the one I take back and forth from Idaho to Phoenix in early November and April, only I stay on 93 north to Twin Falls ID. Easy driving, fewest miles. NV can be kind of lonesome, but the roads are good.

At Ely NV you might wish to take 6 west and 318 south in place of 93. They are both good N/S roads but 318 is a bit shorter and avoids some mountain passes on 93.