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I need help on finding fast and scenic routes on my trip. this is what it looks like.
San Antonio to El Paso
El Paso to the Petrified National Forest, AZ
Petrified National Forest, AZ to the Grand Canyon, AZ
Grand Canyon, AZ to Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas. NV to Yosemite National Park, CA
Yosemite National Park, CA to San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CA to San Simeon(Hearst Castle)CA
San Simeon, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA to El Paso
El Paso back to SA
Phew! That is a lot to see. How long are you going to be on the road?
11 days. leaving July 4th and I should be back in San Antonio on Sunday evening July 13th.
To stay on your schedule referenced above, you will need to stick to the Interstates wherever possible. It is a doable trip, but you will be in "hammer-down" mode for most of it.
Here are some thoughts:
If you want to divert a short ways, I'd take in a historic site called Hubbell Trading Post. It's an old trading post on U.S. 191 in eastern Arizona just a short ride north of I40. They have one of the most awesome collections of Indian rugs I've ever seen.
With as little time as you have for this trip, I would suggest that you head for the Grand Canyon via Highway 180 from Flagstaff. It's a beautiful road winding through pine forests and volcanic peaks on the way to the South Rim. It's a sure thing. Return to Interstate 40 from the Grand Canyon via Williams on State Highway 64.
On the return trip through Arizona, just east of Tucson you can divert toward the town of Patagonia along the Patagonia-Sonoita scenic byway. Catch State Highway 83 from I10. The road travels south about 35 miles to Patagonia through grassy highlands surrounded by towering mountains called Sky Islands. This is Arizona wine country and several small wineries can be found near the town of Sonoita. Return east on State Highway 82 and you can take in historic Tombstone.
You might want to stop in on the geologic formations at Chiricahua National Monument. Or, just east of Wilcox you can catch U.S. 191 north to the Swift Trail Parkway, on State Route 366. This road climbs from 3200 feet to 10713 feet at the top of Mount Graham. You drive about 35 miles north of I10 to catch this parkway but its worth it.
Sounds like a great adventure. E-mail if I can be of further assistance.
Jerry,
I looked around your site some. Some very nice routes.
Have you ever driven the section of US-191 between Clifton and Eager? This roadway has the distinction of being the least traveled Federal Highway in the USA, due to the 500 curves and hairpin turns in a 112 mile section. We haven't been there yet, but it looks fun (probably not for anyone in the back seat however!)