Illinois to Arizona

I am moving from Illinois to Flagstaff, AZ, and will be driving out in a few days in my fully packed Mazda 3. I've made the drive many times before, but I'm worried this time because of the weather. I normally would take 40 all the way through to Flagstaff, but because of the heat and the full car, I wanted to get people's opinions about taking either 70 or 80 for the main part. I've driven both of the others before, but have come to prefer the southern route. I've tried a couple of different websites (TWC), but I'm not sure where I'll be stopping if I take either of those other routes, so it's a little harder to gauge what the temperature will be.

I'd love to hear people's opinions on which route they think would be the best. South, where I'm the most familiar with the roads? Middle, in the flatlands of Kansas? Or north-ish, through the mountains of Montana?

Thanks!

Kip

Welcome!

Take the shortest/fastest route. It's going to be hot everywhere. It would be harder on the car climbing over 11000 feet on I-70 than driving in 100+ temperatures. Modern vehicles just don't overheat like they used to, as long as the cooling system has been reasonably well maintained.

I totally concur with GLC -- even Flagstaff has been at its hottest this summer!



Donna