Route advice--NM to AZ

[IDG17]

Hi all--

We are trying to get from El Paso to Superior, AZ (about an hour east of Phoenix)--hauling a 31' Excella with a 2500 Chevy. Looking for the best, least mountainous route to get there--not interested in steep cliff drop offs, etc.

Do you recommend US 10 to 191 towards Safford and then over on 70 towards Superior?

Or US 10 through Tucson, then to 79 North through Florence?

Or finally US 10 through Tuscon all the way to Phoenix and then East on 60?

Thanks so much in advance!
--Ian and Emily

[handn]

I took 191 N of Safford last year. It is heavily signed against rv travel for rigs in excess of 35 feet. I thought I knew better as I had a 25 AS and am an experienced mountain driver. All I can say is DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. The road is narrow, incredibly curvy, goes on forever and has grades in excess of 11%. There are no guard rails and my trailer was putting a wheel off the pavement in tight turns. My wife who was following me in another car was very nervous. She thought I would loose the Airstream or worse. I didn't think it was that bad but in a much bigger trailer I wouldn't have made it and the road goes on for miles with no space to turn around so the trailer might still be up there. Do the drive in a car, it is very scenic.
A better bet is I-10 to Tucson, and 79 through Oro Valley to Superior or I-10 to Phoenix and then East through Apache Junction.

[Ahab]

I10 to 191 to Safford then 70 to 60 to Superior. Road is well maintained and is the shorter route. I do it all the time, nice drive. 77 has steep grades and curves. How do I know? I live here. I don't think handn was on 191 but probably 77N out of Globe which is the Salt River Canyon road and has some nice scenery if your going to Show Low.

[J. Morgan]

If memory serves me well, going through Florence will be the most flat and straight route, although the ride through Safford is a nice drive and the roads are good.

I haven't driven up 177, but if it is like 77 to globe, judging by what you want, you don't want to go that way.

[IDG17]

So 10 to Tucson and then 79 to Florence sounds like our best bet. Thanks so much.

Now--any thoughts on Superior to Santa Fe? also has anyone camped at the Superior RV park? We are photographing a wedding at Boyce Arb in Superior on Saturday night and the RV park seems like he only spot to stay. Or boondock perhaps.
Again thanks for the great advice.

[switz]

Going through Tucson drops you into down town traffic.

I would take I-10 to Lordsburg and Highway 70 to Globe and then US 60 to Superior.

We live on the east edge of the Phoenix sprawl and for the last ten years take US 60 through Salt River Canyon (yes hills for less than 10 miles but easily driven with patience if behind a semi with copper plates on it) to Quemado, New Mexico. We turn North on Highway 117/36 on the East edge of town (posted 55 mph and that was fast enough on this two lane road when towing our Airstream) and it connects to I-40 about five miles East of Grants (Shell station at that intersection). Go East on I-40 to Albuquerque. Go North out of Albuquerque on I-25. It is about three hours on the interstates to Santa Fe at 75mph.

The "officials" tolerate five over, but performance awards are given out at ten over.

[azflycaster]

I would go 70 from Lordsburg, NM to Globe and then 60 over to Superior.

We have done this several times in the past few years. The road is good and there is little traffic.

Roper Lake in Safford is a good place to camp, but the Apache Gold cvasino in Globe is not very nice.

[IDG17]

Thanks for all the help! Other to go on 70 from Lordsburg and ten over to Superior. On 70 now and it's all newly paved out of Duncan which is fantastic.
Happy travels all!

[IDG17]

Hey all,

Any secret spots / advice for good camping for just one night in Santa Fe NM?

Thanks

Ian