Rte 40 from Barstow to Albuquerque in March

[Kyoshi]

We are travelling to Southern California this winter and coming back east in early March. We thought that we would stop at the Grand Canyon. I know not the best time of year. I am wondering if Rte 40 from Barstow to Albuquerque is bad at this time of year?, are there steep grades?, is this prone to bad weather? Never been in this area before so I have no idea. Thanks

[Hittenstiehl]

Kyoshi, I 40 is a major truck route so usually open and passable at that time, however they do get snow and high winds. Watch your weather prior to leaving. If heavy weather expected you can always come north from Phx into the snow. The north rim closes during the winter so check you dates.

[mojo]

There is a bit of a grade between Seligman and Williams but if the weather is good and the roads are clear, you should have no problem. Have been at the South Rim in March and did get a dusting of snow but it melts off. It's a nice time there because there are no crowds but some of the trails can be icy going into the canyon. The North rim is closed from Oct till April/May.

[Kyoshi]

Thanks for the info. I am a new airstream hauler and am hesitant in planning to drive in poor conditions. Will watch the weather and decide at the time. Thanks again

[RadioGuy]

As a former Kingman, AZ Resident and traveling that path hundreds of times, I'd say you may or may not be able to make it all the way without some extra stops. As said already, WATCH your weather. Plan for extra time. Stop in Kingman and spend a day to let things blow over if you need to. Just east of Kingman at Seligman is where I-40 usually gets closed. But don't wait for the closure if you're pulling the trailer. If the truckers get off...I get off. The road closure is always a last resort and may be too late for you. Seligman has very little to offer in the way of accommodations - especially if everyone on the road is pulling off there....hence the reason I say spend an extra day in Kingman if you need to.

There are actually three (3) rims to the Grand Canyon. The North Rim is no where near I-40 so it's not really an option...even if it were open. The South Rim is the most popular and it could be ify at that time. On the other hand it could be gorgeous weather too. The 3rd option is the WEST Rim on the Hualapi (Pronounced: Wall-A-Pie) Tribal reservation. It is only about 2 hours from Kingman. The weather is almost always great that time of the year, as it is lower in elevation....about 4500 feet at the top. It is the home of the SKYWALK. Although it is quite different from the South or North Rim, it is still a site to see. Ask at the Kingman Tourism Center for directions if you want to visit. Do not rely upon your GPS...it will take you 5 hours out of the way because it takes you to the tribal headquarters which is no where near the West Rim.

If you'd rather wait to see the South Rim, it is about an hour north of I-40 from Williams. You can dry camp in the parking lot over night or there are some RV parks just outside of the National Park. For a different sort of trip, get an RV Park in Williams and RIDE THE GRAND CANYON RAILWAY up to the Canyon

From the South Rim, there is a short-cut turn off to get back to I-40 at Flagstaff.

One of the worst storms I've ever been in was in Flagstaff at that time of the year. but that was only once in 40 years. Sometimes it is just cold with left over snow on the side of the road and in the parking lots that hasn't melted yet. It can be very difficult to navigate a truck and trailer in some of those places and find a place to park if you should want to stop and eat or shop or something like that because of the amount of snow piled up from the snow plows. Flagstaff is a college town with a lot of traffic and very narrow streets. If it was me, needing to stop there with an Airstream, I'd stop right at Little America Resort on I-40. Full Truck Stop, Convenience Store, Motel, Restaurant, Bar and I don't think you can get much better.

East of Flagstaff to Holbrook - a few grades but easily dooable if the weather permits. Strong Winds at Holdbrook on the High Dessert can be bad for blowing snow (Ground Blizzards). But if the weather is good, it should be an easy drive all the way into Alb. East of Alb. you'll do some climbing again if you go that far.

Just don't be in a hurry and enjoy the trip no matter what the weather does.

Good Luck

[rlhendren]

I can't speak to the roads, but the Grand Canyon in the winter is beautiful. The air is a lot more clear and the colors just seem more vibrant in the winter. Best of luck.

[Ed Brownfield]

RadioGuy gave you excellent advice. Flagstaff is actually a plateau so no matter which way you go from Flagstaff you will be going to a lower elevation. For example Flagstaff is about 7,500 ft and Sedona, only about twenty to thirty miles away is 5,000 ft. I would add one suggestion as a place to stay. Approximately twenty miles east of Flagstaff on I 40 is Twin Arrows Casino, it is safe and RV friendly. Nicer than staying in a Walmart parking lot. No hookups but it is free and there are three or four very good restaurants in the Casino not to mention gambling if that is appealing. Twin Arrow Casino is a four or five diamond resort so it's a nice place. We stayed there about a month ago and loved it.

[zapper]

Originally Posted by Kyoshi

We are travelling to Southern California this winter and coming back east in early March. We thought that we would stop at the Grand Canyon. I know not the best time of year. I am wondering if Rte 40 from Barstow to Albuquerque is bad at this time of year?, are there steep grades?, is this prone to bad weather? Never been in this area before so I have no idea. Thanks

We travel east to Texas from California every year in December returning the first week in January for the last 8 years. We travel on IH 10 both ways because the weather is better than I-40 most of the time. That being said we have been trapped more than once on I-10 by snow and ice. Once I-10 was shut down in three places between El Paso and Deming. However, we have been at the Grand Canyon in January weather clear but cold and in March where we got three feet of snow. My point it's hard to generalize as the weather that time of the year varies greatly. As others have said check the weather frequently. Plan accordingly you'll be fine. Oh buy a heated water hose, you'll need it.

[GM Airstream]

I 40 is a great route... only AZ has no rest stops... and no you can't overnight at walmart in flagstaff... they have a ord against that. (college students cheap housing... thanks) The road is in need of repair ... AZ should invest heavy in asphalt... as the repairs are marginal at best. Did a lot of traveling in the left lane because the right lane was so rough.
Two places we stay'ed at... needles... Marina RV park.. right on the river.. pull through spots with full hookups.. Right on the river. Nice helpful people at the little store their too..
The other place I stay'ed at was the meteor crater rv park... again well kept... nice place with friendly workers. Pull through spots... and well protected. Clean enclosed bathrooms. Highly recommend it.
Gas was the other thing we marv'ed at... at kingman it was $1.29 a gallon... and along the highway it never got over 2 bux a gallon.. with gallup being the cheapest at the loves truck stop...
The grand cayn is a great place no matter what time of year. Its always a worthwhile adventure... just make sure you make reservations at the trailer village before you go up
I pull a 31 ft AS and from ABQ to SAC it was a 4 day adventure. I 40 is the best part. Remeber up at flag you are at 7,000 ft... so the performance of the TV is degraded at that alt.
Have fun .. G.M>

[Kyoshi]

Wow, Thanks everyone for great information. It helps us to plan and I guess everything will depend on the weather. We are actually returning to Ontario from Palm Desert visiting my sister in law so the Grand Canyon is an optional visit. WE can easily return via I-10. Thanks again.