Event Coverage Flying into Phoenix...Driving back to Austin

Just got me an old truck out of Phoenix. I'm planning to fly out of Austin next Friday (June 11th) into Phoenix Airport then pick up the truck and head East. I'll probably be rolling solo, but there's a chance of having a wingman.

I've never driven that stretch, so I'm curious to know what stops I should make, what hotel to crash at, where the speed traps are, and who to call should I have a problem, etc etc etc?

 

You must have a pair of huge ones, my friend. That is one long, lonely stretch of road to be doing an initial test run on in an old, unknown vehicle. I really wish you the BEST of luck. Let us know when you make it back. DD

 

If it's your "thing", when you p*** thru El Paso, park at the border, walk across into old Mexico, and take a $10 taxi ride to the International Market for a few souvenirs. The little restaurant right outside the market has fantastic food cheap.

There's also an avation museum about 20 miles NW of 'paso that's WELL worth checking out. Been a few years since I was there, and I'm thinking it might not even be in texas, but I do remember it was just a short drive NW of town. Vintage palnes, cars, and motorcycles... Sorry I cant remember the name of it.

Since 'paso is about your 1/2 way point, it might be kinda cool to actualy spend the night in old Mexico. $20 will get you a fantastic room.

 

Eat an In-N-Out burger in Phoenix or Tucson.

Slonaker

 

The truck is perfectly capable of the trip...not really the concern. The heat is gonna be tough, but I'm from the humid South Texas Gulf Coast, so I can handle it.

Not really looking for sight-seeing, wish there was more time for that, but just want to be aware of where I should stop, where I should avoid, etc.

 

Yeah, nobody told me I could get a "Double Double" at In-N-Out when I went to LA last year. I didn't know...it's wasn't on the menu!

 

I have been all over this crazy state... is the truck in phoenix? where are ya picking it up? if ya can head up I-17 to camp verde exit hit jerome (bout 30 miles off the interstate on 89a and go see don robertson at the gold king mine and ghost town atraction thinggy. more vintage tin then you can shake a stick at. and a running 10,000 CI 3 cylinder motor. then go 89a all the way to flagstaff and take 40 east. there's lots of cool spots in northern az to just drive by. then stay the night in holbrook in the tepee's those are the ones inspired from cars the movie. there's much more I could ramble off but ill save my breath cause I don't know if your headed that way.

 

Nope, not heading north/west. I'm just flying into Phoenix...picking up the truck at the airport, then heading back to Texas. I don't venture out much...My name says it all.

 

What did you buy?

 

ohwell

 

My job has me making that run quite often. If you are running IH10, Big T truck stop outside Tuscon is good for food. I hava stopped at the best western in Wilcox. or in Van horne for the night.Both reasonable and nice.Also,Commanchee springs truck stop in Ft Stockton is decent, or the segovia truck stop in junction. as far as speed traps, there are not really any. just be careful.They do patrol sporadicly.have a safe trip and enjoy the drive. Ron

 

the truck stop is TTT (triple t) on the east side of tucson craycroft exit,if ya have problems in the tucson area there are a bunch of HAMB guys here so your OK if ya have problems,I would CYA (cover your ***) and grab a 5 gallon gas can just in case and enjoy the trip,oh yeah its runnning about 105-107 during the day right now...............oh yeah watch for cops making up for a bad state budget with photo radar saw 3 between Phx-tucson yesterday,2 more in tucson all on I-10

 

Thanks guys. Truck stops, Choke & Pukes, and Cheap Motels are key factors. Planning to stop by a parts store in Phoenix and grab some "just incase" parts (belts, hoses, fuses, fluids, gas can, water jug, etc). Got my GPS, iPod, Laptop, and some extra clothes too. If it goes how I plan, I'll be arriving in Phoenix around mid-evening. Then hitting the road, and stopping wherever I start to feel tired. It's a '56 F-100 with a small block, automatic, and 2.73's so it should be decent on fuel.

 

i would suggest taking a fellow page book from NHRA just in case you have trouble ,
great help .........

 

neither is the triple or the quad, but they WILL serve 'em up. I loves me a double-double.

 

I think once you p*** El Paso the speed limit jumps to 80 or 85. Man I was flying when I made the trip. I would suggest you ask someone to help you with the drive though, I-10 is really, really boring especially Tucson to El Paso..

 

I've driven that route several times including last week.

The hundred miles between Phoenix and Tucson was covered in police. I counted at least a dozen working the construction areas.

The three hundred miles between Tucson and El Paso is pretty easy drive with nice desert scenery and enough places to stop for gas and such. The feed lots just west of El Paso are pretty stinky though.

There is very little between El Paso and the border patrol stop (100 miles east) and then to Van Horn, Fort Stockton and Ozona. If you need fuel, those are about your only choices.

P.S I always drive straight through. Tucson to Houston is about 14 hours for me.

 

Depending on what part of the valley you are getting the truck taking the I10 may not be your best option. If you are in the Far East Valley You can take US 60 to Globe/Miami AZ and then catch the US 70 which will take you down to Lordsburg NM(Cheap Fuel), on the I 10. You would be traveling part way through the San Carlos Indian Reservation but obey the speed limit and you will have no issues. If you are in the West Valley the I 10 through Tuscon may be faster

 

The heat isn't the same at humid Texas. I went to school in SC and the heat in AZ is much worse. Make sure you take a cooler with you and lots of drinking water and some water for the truck just incase.

Watch your speed on the 10 near Tucson. The cops in and around Tucson are not that nice.

Are you staying in Phx the first night?

 

The GPS is an excellent idea for another reason, you never know if the speedo is right in someone else's vehicle - the GPS will keep you out of trouble by giving you an accurate road speed...

Have a safe trip!

 

Yah, driving thru AZ in the middle of June with no air... piece of cake.

 

Tim McBride hit it man, I would go 70 out to Lordsburg, then across 10 to home. I haven't taken this trip in about five years, so I can't recommend specific stops, ( Elpolacko could), but definitely make sure that you get gas when you can in Texas! That stretch going into Ozona is a killer on short range tanks. Also, Fatbob309 said a biggie with the water deal. Pack a bunch, then when you think you have enough, pack some more - and possibly a bit more. I've heard several people in my life say "Aw, I'm Tough, I'm from ( fill in the blank hot spot) this heat is nothing"... That's usually just seconds before you s****e them up off the floor from heat prostration and dehydration. Bad deal so take it mega seriously. On a better note, my shop/home is just about three miles from the airport,and if you need any thing, do not hesitate to call me. The number on my signature line is my cell and always on. If your staying in town that first night, hit me up and I'll show you some of the best Mexican food on this planet! Best of luck, Chip Quinn

 

Exactly! That's why I take no **** about my hot rod having A/C!!! Mine IS my daily!

 

when I was about 2 hours east of El Paso on my move from Vegas to houston... I called my dad and asked the Following question. " Why the Hell did we go to war over Texas.... The western half Is ****y...." Should just kept from the hill country East....

Oh well good luck!

 

Oh and are you takeing the 10 or 40?

 

Thanks for all the replies guys...lots of good stuff...much appreciated.

I'm flying into Phoenix Airport...picking up the truck there at the airport....then heading down into Tuscon and then over to Texas. Be on I-10 into San Antonio...my place is between S.A. and Austin.

The truck gets 18mpg and has a large fuel tank, and I will be prepared with extra fuel. I don't take chances. The 2.73:1 gears will be very nice on the highway.

The GPS is great...and yes, I really only use it for an accurate Speedometer. Even the speedo in my 2009 Ford company truck is off. Never can be too careful. I got a ticket last week for doing 77 in a 65. The cruise was on at 80mph according to speedo...GPS read 77mph. Those radar guns are pretty accurate. I'm not gonna risk a ticket in another state.

I know the heat is different from my heat, I'm not a tough guy, but I'll tough it out for this trip. I'll have a large cooler and lots of water. An Underdash AC unit is first on the list when I get back home as this will be my daily driver.

I really do appreciate all the info, advice, tips, etc. That's the point of this thread...to get info. I'm a firm believer in OVERKILL... and this is just one more check on the list....to make sure I don't forget anything, and to educate myself on my journey.

The drive ain't bad. I like driving. I do it for a living...all day in my company vehicle across Texas. I'm sure everything will be fine.


If anyone "ALONG THE WAY" who's willing to lend a hand should anything go wrong would be kind enough to PM me their contact info so I can jot it down on my "Just Incase" list...it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for all the replies. I'll keep this updated as details unfold.

 

Just a hint we have been warned to expect some heat records to be broken this week,I ran a linen and uniform route here in Phoenix those all-aluminum Grumman vans will get 20-25 degrees hotter than the outside temps,Two things can be a big help take an extra cooler packed with ice and put hand towels in it to put around your neck like an evap cooler also check Wal-Mart I got a little squirt & spray bottle that runs on AA batteries with a fan it just might save you from p***ing out.The Flying "J" Truck stop between Phx and Tucson has some yummy fried chicken to go.Hope they let you back in Austin with that "boycotted" truck! LOL!! Glad you bought Arizona! Thanks for your support.

 

One more suggestion; a spray bottle that you can keep in the cooler and mist yourself with to stay awake and stay cool. Travel safe...


...and as tempting as it maybe, resist the temptation of Juarez

 

try leavin really early in the am like 5 or so and that will help with the heat some should be down in the 90s about 6 or 7 am.........

 

Good tips, thanks guys!

I already have '56 Texas Truck plates for it, so it won't show it's AZ past for very long. Will be insured, registered, and an official Texas Truck by the following week. I'm kind of weirded out about having something that someone else built, but I've always wanted a '56 F-100 and now I have a pretty darn clean one that I can only upgrade to my likin from here on out.