Looking at a different route to Phoenix this Fall. (October) Google maps showed this route that would help me avoid California entirely. Anyone travel this route in the past? We only travel about 200-300 miles each day so I am particularly interested in lodging, and fuel stops along the way. We have a newer 26 ft. Class C pulling a Saturn Vue,
I imagine Trailer Life would be the best book to have for navigation, although I don't trust their rating system very much. This is just an early fishing expedition for information, but I'm just curious if anyone here has some input about this route.
Thanks much,
Arborist
"If hard work were such a wonderful thing, surely the rich would have kept it all to themselves." - Lane Kirkland
We have traveled that route many times. It is all major interstate so you won't have trouble finding fuel and there are a ton of campgrounds and RV parks along the way. Of course, since it is interstate freeway, there is also alot of trucker traffic. But, as freeways go - you have chosen some of the prettiest scenery in America!
Two of our favorite campspots are on this route - just east of Pendleton there is a nice campground at the Indian Casino called Wild Horse. They have a great golf course and it is always fun to do the Underground Tour of Pendleton.
This seems like a round about way and is all interstate which I try to avoid. The scenic route would be I-5 to I-84 to Pendleton, US-395 to Burns, OR-78 to Burns Junction, US-95 to Las Vegas, US-93 to Wickenburg, US-60 to Phoenix. There are plenty of fuel stops along this route and many small campgrounds. We have driven this route before and enjoyed it. The other route that I think is actually more scenic, is US-395 all the way to Reno and then pick up US-95 to Las Vegas.
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The Texan wrote: This seems like a round about way and is all interstate which I try to avoid. The scenic route would be I-5 to I-84 to Pendleton, US-395 to Burns, OR-78 to Burns Junction, US-95 to Las Vegas, US-93 to Wickenburg, US-60 to Phoenix. There are plenty of fuel stops along this route and many small campgrounds. We have driven this route before and enjoyed it. The other route that I think is actually more scenic, is US-395 all the way to Reno and then pick up US-95 to Las Vegas.
Looks like you want to stick to the freeways. Boardman Marina just before Pendleton is a good stop, and agree with Three Island Crossing. Golden Spike in Brigham City, Pony Express in North Salt Lake good stops. KOA in Fillmore is nice. Suggest UT 9 east at Hurricane exit in southern Utah, UT 159 out of Hurricane, connect with 89A around the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and south to Phoenix. Made this trip many times on my winter golfing sojourns to Arizona. Avoid Las Vegas this way.
However, like the Texan, I am a backroads guy and his route is good..another partial backroads option would be to pick up US 93 at Twin Falls, ID off I-84 and take 93 all the way to Vegas. This is one of my favorite highways. A little faster than the Texan's route. I like his route because it avoids the Boise corridor. And both of these routes avoid SLC and Ogden.
Great!
Thanks for all the post backs.
I'll print the suggestions out then start looking at the maps. We travel with two terriers, the wife & a cat, so roadside amenities are a must. We could never dry camp unless we had full hook ups. I've done enough blue tarp camping to expect some luxury along the way now.
It costs more but it helps smooth out the trip. Thanks again for your experience and willingness to share your ideas.
Happy Trails,
Arborist
The Fillmore UT KOA is flanked by a big field for the dogs. And if you're just passing thru that area, take exit 146, turn east under the freeway, take a right onto the frontage road and you'll see an asphalted area to your left (to park your rig)....another great place to run the dogs. The road runs back thru the hills into a beautiful meadow area. The cat will sleep thru all this.
I like summutt2002 suggestion of going through Twin Falls down through Jackpot to Wells and down 93 to Vegas.
Personally I don't like 95 because it's a two lane road and you'll have people pushing you to get to Vegas. On 93 you won't have as many people behind you.
I-15 through Ogden, Layton, Salt Lake, Provo isn't fun, lots of traffic.
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