Has anyone driven from Peyson to Alberquerque ? (Mesa, Scottsdale: safe, places to eat)

[novsaggi]

Hi All

I am travelling to Alberquerque, and wanted to know about your opinion on routes to reach there
I will be starting from Scottsdale

Google Maps is giving me standard way, I-17 N to flagstaff and take I40 for Alberquerque.

However, Mapquest is giving me via payson on AZ-277, 377 & 77.

I have never driven through those roads and my travel will be in the evening/night.
Is it safe to travel from there or via flagstaff

What do you suggest


Thanks in advance for all your posts.

[observer53]

My choice, driving at night, and in the winter, would be to stay on the interstates.

[wit-nit]

Originally Posted by observer53

My choice, driving at night, and in the winter, would be to stay on the interstates.

Exactly. Chances are you'll encounter black ice and other winter driving maladies. Not worth the gamble.

[Buns]

I've done the drive from Mesa to Albuquerque a few times...my husband has done the drive a LOT, especially in the last few months. We always go through Payson, over towards Heber, then up to Holbrook and onto the 40 from there. Never had any issues and IMHO it is a much more beautiful drive, as well as shorter. It shaves at least an hour or two off of the drive.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Buns

I've done the drive from Mesa to Albuquerque a few times...my husband has done the drive a LOT, especially in the last few months. We always go through Payson, over towards Heber, then up to Holbrook and onto the 40 from there. Never had any issues and IMHO it is a much more beautiful drive, as well as shorter. It shaves at least an hour or two off of the drive.

To someone familiar with the roads, when it's not winter, and the drive's not at night, my advice might be different. Worth the extra time to be safe... the OP can make the other drive (which is very pretty, until you lose the forest, then it's pretty much the same) another time of year, in daylight.

Actually, Google Maps gives you all three options. There's 75 miles difference. Google Maps, however, says the route through Payson/Holbrook is over an hour LONGER even though it is shorter in terms of miles. So, it all depends, I think, on road conditions and how you drive, as to how they compare by time. I don't believe it is as much as two hours shorter, though, if there's only seventy-five miles difference.

[deckdoc]

agree with buns~ ~ but would watch weathercast~ if its snowing on the rim might stick to interstate~ but worst streach is flagstaff~which you cut out! Tis a nice drive!

[observer53]

You don't even really enter Flagstaff-- you go right from the 17 to the 40, on the edge of town. But, if you need to make a stop, lots of easy places to eat, etc. By contrast, Heber's a bump in the road, (especially at night) so there really isn't much between Payson and Holbrook, unless you go on in to Show Low instead of turning to go to Holbrook.

[novsaggi]

Thanks a ton guys
Our initial gut feeling was to drive on Interstate. Looks like will b doing that only

Thanks again for all your help

[rambrush]

Yes on the interstate you will be able to run 80 or so going through Payson to Christopher creek to heber there are a lot of critters that play in the road plus the speed limit is lower. Shorter and nice drive yes but safer on the interstate in my opinion.

[azdr0710]

if going in the daytime and if weather hasn't been bad for a few days, the Payson - Heber - Holbrook route is better....

but this time of year in the night, the interstates will be safer....more people around if you get in trouble.....less stress, divided highway, more patrols......

drive safely, pay attention, take it easy, don't rush