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

I have driven out to the LARS many times in my roadster. I stop in Phoenix both ways. I would definately go up thru Globe as it is prettier, cooler and I think shorter. I got a brick thru my windshild on the road to Phoenix from Tuscon. That road is really busy.
I would stay in Las Cruces. There are several good motels right on the south side. I sure would not stop in El Paso. Maybe Van Horn or Ft Stockton.

 

Thanks Andy, good info. I'd go through Globe, but will be stopping in Tuscon at a friends' place to do a once over on the truck and get everything in order before the long haul.

 

You might as well go to the Pima Air museum in Tuscon. Don't hit the road afterward like I did. I've never been so hot! Have a great trip!

 

If you do highway 70 out though Globe to Lordsburg it WILL be quite a bit cooler. Damn pretty bit of road as well. Once again, let me know if I can help on the Phoenix end of the trip.

 

My plans changed a little, I'm going out there & coming back alone. Kinda sucks. But I don't have a reason to go into Tuscon anymore so I might go through Globe, to cut some time and stay cooler. Thanks.

 

Yeah then if ya roll thru the top of the state your really hittin rt66 aka Hwy 40.....I would go that way to,its gotta be cooler and better to look at,but iffy cell service in areas...........still keep on the water!!!!

 

Interesting thread as my wife and I are driving from Bonneville to Dallas/Ft Worth after speed week this year - but in a rental car so no worries about heat!

 

stick to the I-10 route, I worked in the Miami/Globe area when I lived in AZ and most of that route is 2 lane roads, people with rv's and travel trailers driving 10 under the speed limit, not many places to pass and the indian reservations you have to cross, nothing against the native americans but if something happens out there in the middle of no where, I wouldnt exactly count on them to help the white man on the res and cell phone reception is spotty at best.

Bigdav160 pretty much hit the nail on the head, Ive done that drive way too many times myself also, It'll be a nice dry heat when you get there thru west texas

 

I've made that trip to Phoenix and back to SA a few times. First run was out of Corpus, left at about 5 AM and made it to FT Stockton the first day. It's a hell of a lonely drive from SA to El paso. Be sure you have plenty of fuel coming out of EP. At night watch out for the dear on the freeway. I counted 70 dead dear on that stretch alone. The shitist roads are in New Mexico. The best roads, of course, are in Texas. Good luck and keep your nose in the wind!

 

Stick to I-10.... 110 + degrees out there.

Breakin' down in the middle of nowhere {even with water} is a risky proposition.
Cellphone repeater towers are few & far between out there.

Easier & faster to get help if something goes wrong on the interstate.

I got ya covered if ya need anything on the I-10 corridor from Casa Grande to the New Mexico border .

 

Yeah Im looking at the maps... Going through Globe is about 30 minutes longer than I-10...not a big deal, but you have a good point about being in the middle of nowhere if anything goes wrong. I'd rather be on a busy highway. The truck has vent windows & a sliding rear window, so air should flow through pretty good. I might drive straight to my buddies house in Tuscon for a couple hours of rest then leave at about 5AM and head east. Maybe get into Van Horn and get a hotel before it gets really hot, then truck on out again early in the morning Sunday into Austin.

Thanks for the info.

 

tucson to ft stockton is around 8 hours, I did the drive a few times from Phoenix to Ft Stockton and it was right at 10 hours and tucson is bout 2 hours closer, Alot more hotels there and they have a K-BOBS, real good food and they have a small wal-mart also

 

Haha, K-Bobs? We had a K-Bobs where I grew up...but it was closed when I was down there last weekend. Bummer.

I say Van Horn because it's an hour closer to Tuscon...keeps me out of the heat a little earlier. But if the heat ain't so bad, then I'll mosey into Ft Stockton. Either way, if I can get to sleep while the sun is out and get up and get back on the road when it's cool...I think it'll keep me AND the truck in good shape.

 

Fly in and just drive out? Every time I go to Phoenix I never want to leave! Heat or no heat, the Corona is never colder and tastier than at Harold's in Cave Creek!!! Go on and stay a spell. You won't regret it!

 

I prefer cold Lone Star & Shiner Bock

 

I would seriously avoid Juarez, the plce has turned into the murder capitol of the western Hemispere while the drug gangs and Federales duke it out......

 

Oh, I'll be winding it up through El Paso!

 

Leaving early is key- It gets light around 5 am here ( no daylight savings time), and even if it hits 107, it will start out in the high 60's- low 70's at sunrise. I would just stick with the interstate and plan on getting to a higher elevations (NM) before it even hits 100.

Even with that said- the forecast for Friday is for an afternoon high temp in the high 90's. It will be a tad bit cooler as you head towards Tucson. With the low humidity, the heat index may only be in the high 80's. I say take it like a man.

 

Yeah looking at the forecasts for next weekend, it will be hotter in Texas than AZ/NM...plus humidity. :/

 

whats HUMIDITY??

 

If you're leaving in the evening, drive all night or at least until you're too tired to drive. that'll get you out of the hot zone. If you bring a wing man, drive straight through-you'll be home before dinner. I'm guessing 16-18 hours?

 

Have fun.

 

If you do decide to go the US60/US 70 route I can cover you all the way to Safford (Getting you through the Reservation)

 

1,010 Miles. I'll be working all day Friday and flying out after work, then the 2 hour time change makes 10pm my Midnight. I don't know how far I can go the first day, especially since I probably won't get any sleep the night before!

No wingman...plane ticket prices jumped from $212 last Friday to $312 yesterday when I booked it. Ticket prices are too high for any of my friends to want to go with me, and if I were to fork over any more $$$ for this trip..then I might as well have it shipped to me.

I just made my checklist of all tools/parts I'll be taking with me. Spent the last half hour in the shop gathering up what I have laying around. Going to buy what's left on the list and box it all up tight for it's trip underneath the airplane (I still might ship to my friend in Tuscon and pick it up on my way through if it's cheaper due to the weight) I'll buy a couple more items in AZ like the Gas Can, Coolant, Water, Belts/Hoses. My buddy in Tuscon is going to track down a spare rear tire/wheel since the truck comes with a front spare (mis-matched lug pattern front to rear).

I think I have everything covered. I have all my transactions printed out, including my driving route, a list of HAMBers who have gave me their contact info, etc.

I know it's not a very long drive...but for me...it's a new experience and I don't want to spend the day in the hot sun waiting for AAA or a tow-truck.

 

Stick to I-10...it will be super hot but it is the way to go unless sightseeing..Stay out of Juarez...and above plan your trip to have lunch or dinner at Irma's in Deming NM...Center of town just off the main drag..ask anybody...Unbelievable Mexican food!

1. <TABLE style="MARGIN: 1px 0px 2px" class=ts><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=270> <TD style="PADDING-LEFT: 12px" vAlign=top>Irma's Restaurant
   
   <CITE>maps.google.com</CITE>
   123 South Silver Avenue
   Deming, NM 88030-3713
   (575) 544-4580
   
   
   </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

Thanks...if I eat there, I hope there's a nice clean bathroom within the next few miles!

 

Watch out for the little white KIas on the side of the road in AZ. Just got my picture sat. from my trip out there. They showed 45 in a 30. $189.00. Get in the inside lane in El Paso and drive their speed. That will be fast. I was thru there in a flash. Globe route is nice but would not work driving at night. Lordsburg has two truck stops on the West side to stop at. I 10 gets really dark at night. Be safe.

 

Gotta second Irma's in Demming! Been a long time since I've been there, and I wanted to say something but couldn't remember the name.

 

J1, looks like you have it all covered... but if all else fails hit me up... plenty of friends and family along your route... i always keep an eye out for vfw and american legion halls great sources for any and all help when needed...

 

Sure hope it meets your expectations when you get there. I flew to buy at a car that the owner swore he would drive anywhere, and had put many highway miles on it. I told him that if it wasn't a good driving car I would not buy, so please don't wate our time. I arrived at the airport [he worked there] with a bag of tools and needed items for a cross country trip. He said we could drive to his house, so I got my bags off the conveyor and we walked to his car. He was parked probably 1/2 mile from the terminal amd I thought my arm would be at least 3" longer before we got to his car. Then I got to carry the damn thing back after I drove his 46 conv for a mile or so and realized he had not been honest with me. Sure was glad to be flying stand by cheap. Hope your experience is a better one.