Phoenix to Boise, not through Las Vegas

[Radshooter]

We may be taking an assignment in Boise starting in January. (Yeah, I know. . We are supposed to be going south then, not north. ) We have pulled our rig through Vegas before and hated every stinking inch of it. I am looking at taking I-17 north to Flagstaff, then Hwy 89 north and catch I-15 at Cedar City, UT. What is 89 like to pull a big (36' triple axle) fiver on? Just wondering what I would be getting into as far road conditions. I know there are some pretty good hills getting from Phoenix to Flagstaff, but have never been north of there.



What about 89 vs. Alt89? Which is better? My main concerns are road width, twisty or straight, hilly or flat, and fuel availability. Of course, in January, add snow to the list. Is one better maintained than the other?



We probably won't have time to do the tourist stops, but wouldn't mind some good windshield scenery.



My wife will be pulling a pop-up trailer with her Toyota Tundra. Both trucks are 4X4. She has snow chains, I don't. Need to get some one of these days for the dually.



Would it be better to catch I-15 at Hurricane rather than Cedar City?



OK, I will quit rambling now. Thanks for any info you guys can send my way.



Steve

 

[MUDDY]

welcome back to idaho

 

[Radshooter]

muddymess... It is not a done deal yet, but if the oppurtunity presents, it will be our first choice. We really miss the country. We loved our time in Blackfoot. If we wind up there, we plan on doing some serious camping again.



Thanks for the reply... ... Steve

 

[RColston]

Me, personally I'd tough out the trip through Vegas. But if u must it's good to Vernal, fuel should'nt be a problem. It is a pretty trip, a little curvy. I can't remember how hilly, as I remember it's not too bad.

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks RColston. Vegas is not totally out of the question, but definately looking at alternatives. Do you know anything about 89 in Utah vs. Alt 89 in Arizona?

 

[jrobinson2]

89 from Kanab all the way to I-70 is a nice drive if the weather is good, not as fast as I-15 but a nicer drive, I would take 20 to I-15 or 89 all the way to I-70 if you want to go that far into utah, I would not take 14 from long valley Jct. to cedar city with a trailer in the winter, the pass is around 9000' and steep with lots of curves, sometimes not a nice drive in an empty truck in bad weather, not uncommon to close the road for a few days during a storm, I would consider a different road in the sumer with a big trailer. I would not take 9 through Zion, the tunnel is a problem, 89 to Kanab down to Fredonia then Ar389/Ut59 to Hurricane should be fine. I cant remember alt 89 to Jacobs lake but I dont remember the road from Jacobs lake to Fredonia being any problem.



If the weather is clear I wouldnt be at all afraid of taking 89 all the way to I-70, 89 in Utah is good road all the way, just in the mountains after Kanab so snow is common, if the weather is bad go to hurricane.



Jared, (grew up 30 miles from Cedar city)

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks Jared, that is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I didn't even know there was a tunnel to worry about!! If you think of anything else later, kindly send it my way.



Take care, Steve

 

[NIsaacs]

Steve, Alt. 89 from 89 to Jacob lake is a tough up hill pull, notice that you cross the River at the Junction of 89, it is usually closed in the winter. Highway 89 to Page is ok all the way to Kanab, from there to I-70 is good but kinda slow, makes for good fuel milege however. If it was me (and it isn't) I would take 93 all the way to I-84 at Twin falls. It is mostly two lane, but good road with very little traffic in Nevada, Las Vegas isn't bad if you pick the time of day. Again the slower road makes for better fuel mileage and is closer than I-17, 89, I-15. Good luck on your choice of roads, Idaho is good country.



"NICK"

 

[DIESELMAN]

Steve - Leaving Phoenix at 6:00 AM and taking 89 all the way to I-70 has you in Salt Lake during rush hour, you think Vegas sucked, hmmm.



If the weather is clear, I-17 to 89, through page, Kanab to I-70, then I-15 through Provo and freeway all the way the Boise. I do this in one L O N G day. I usually take 89a over Jacobs Lake, its not shorter really, but I know every inch of the Kaibab Country and love the detour. If the weather is bad, stay on 89, check the weather when you get to Kanab, even if it is great in Flagstaff, it can really suck from Kanab or Glendale north.



If so, I'd cut down through Fredonia, St. George, then I-15 the rest of the way. Otherwise, 89 is georgeous country, I-15 is boring.



The only other stretch that catches me is between Provo and Idaho, been slowed by Wind and Ice many times through there.



DM - Honk as you pass just before Sunset Crater.

 

[Jerky]

Most of the Snowbirds that I know in this Boise, Idaho country that go to Southern Arizona to winter go to Twin Falls and then take 93 as far south as Vegas and then use either 95 or 93 depending on where they are going. Notice in some of the other posts. "If the weather is good, clear etc" . For me, I would avoid the North Rim country altogether in the wintertime pulling a coach. My . 02 - Dean

 

[bombero]

Make sure you have a good set of chains for your PU and RV. The No rim and southern Utah is 6-8000ft elevation. Last time we were there during the winter(march) our black and grey water lines split. No big deal just smelled bad when we parked. If you dont like driving thru LV traffic go about 4am. Lots easier than the other routes.

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks everyone.

We should know in a couple of weeks if we even get the contract or not. I just like to plan ahead as much as possible. If we don't get the Boise job, we may be going to Alabama instead. I am really really really hoping for Boise. Oh well..... at least we will be paying the bills and seeing some new country.



Thanks again... Steve

 

[Larv]

I live just outside of Boise and have driven between Boise and Apache Junction a few times. Coming north from Phoenix you'll have a slow trip over Hoover Dam and then thru Vegas. Not bad, just slower. You could turn west in Kingman to McLaughlin, catch Hwy 95 and miss the dam.



North of Vegas I'd take I-15 to Hwy 93 all the way to Twin Falls. A couple of high desert passes but usually no trouble. Or you could take Hwy 93 to Hwy 318 to Ely. (Probably a better pull with your rig). Ely can get some wind and snow but usually not too bad. Before getting into Twin Falls turn west on Hwy 30 towards Filer and Hagerman and you'll catch I-84 and by-pass Twin Falls.



Hope I didn't ramble too much.



Larv

 

[Buffalo]

If You choose the route thru Kanab, UT. , there is a restaurant in the middle of Kanab, in the middle of a block, on the left side of the street as You are driving north. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of it but, it is GREAT!. It's done in a western motif with the waitresses wearing western clothing and guns. I know it sounds a little "touristy" but, the food is exceptional and reasonably priced. Large scale catering is a big part of their business. They cater for natural disasters like the Yellowstone fire. It's so good, I'll stop there even if I'm not hungry. You will see their semi trailers with their catering equipment parked around town. If You can't find it, ask a local. They will know it. Hope this helps. Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[DIESELMAN]

If You choose the route thru Kanab, UT. , there is a restaurant in the middle of Kanab, in the middle of a block, on the left side of the street as You are driving north. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of it but, it is GREAT!.

Houston's. It is good. Short Story, I was working a forest fire many years ago and was told Houston's was catering the meals. I worked really hard anticipating some good chow... . After 15 Hours on the line working polaski's the chow girls showed up, with Baloney Sandwiches, UGGH!!



There also used to be a great little cafe on the right as you leave Kanab, they had the best Chicken and Dumplings, it was worth a detour of many, many miles, its now history, but Houstons should still be there and still good.



These are some of the reasons I prefer the two lane. The Freeways are just for gettin there and nothin else. Travel the freeway and youll never find a Houstons or the best Chicken and Dumplings.



... . I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference .....

 

[Buffalo]

DIESELMAN, You are absolutely right! It's Houston's. Did not know about the Chicken and Dumpling place. That sounds good, too. Man, I'm so hungry, right now, I'm starting to digest my navel! You are, also, right about Hwy. 89 from Kanab to the Provo area. That is a beautiful trip with quite a number of nice towns. Panguitch comes to mind. Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks everybody. The Nevada route is starting to sound better to us. How is fuel availability? Last time I came down that way, it was a long way between anywhere in a few places.



Dieselman... . I have been through SLC during rush hour and hate it as much as Vegas!!! We bought our fiver in Draper, just south of SLC in '98. The first time I ever pulled it, we left the shop and right into afternoon rush hour. We took I-15 north and I80 west to Elko. I will never forget that pull. When we moved south last time, we timed it to go through SLC about 8 am Sunday morning Oo. I think we saw 5 cars all the way north to south