The route we normally take to Telluride from Tucson is: through Globe, up the Salt River Canyon through Showlow, to St. Johns’s, up 666 to Cortez and then through Dolores To Telluride… Is this the shortest way? ANyone have another?
Debbie, That is the shortest route. it’s 538 miles.and at the speeds I usualy travel in the truck it should take about 12 hours drive time. does that sound about right?
The Arizona speed limits being what they are you might check the I-17 corridor to Flagstaff and then up 160 through Tuba City and Kayenta to Cortez.
Phoenix freeways are pain in the ass most any time of day though; but with higher speed limits you might be able to shave the journey to 10 or 11 hours.
The journey through the salt river canyon is truly spectacular, would choose that solely for the stress relief.
:medal :medal It’s not the destination; it’s the journey that counts :medal :medal
[quote author=Hippie link=topic=951.msg10084#msg10084 date=1181083808]
The Arizona speed limits being what they are you might check the I-17 corridor to Flagstaff and then up 160 through Tuba City and Kayenta to Cortez.
Phoenix freeways are pain in the ass most any time of day though; but with higher speed limits you might be able to shave the journey to 10 or 11 hours.
Well, we really try and avoid Phoenix ALL the time… There is the traffic issue but more important we are in the HEAT too long… The van we use to pull the camper doesnt have AC…
Thanks Rick… I think it’s about right although with kids and such it usually takes us a bit longer… Many times we leave at night to avoid the heat… We normally get up to Show Low and then sleep in the Walmart parking lot…LOL… Then, we head out from there in the AM… If we do happen to leave in the morning, we can normally get to Cortez, sleep in Walmart lot there, stock up on supplies and then head up to Telluride…
I’ve spent a few nights in the Wal Mart lot in Show low myself. usualy when in Cortez I stay at the little truck stop there.
the route Jerry suggested is 60 miles further and about an hour shorter.
And the HOV lane during fat times.