Welcome to RTA!

While I don't blame you for wanting to get off the Interstate and see more of real America, you will always have to check locally for road conditions, no matter which option you decide to take. For instance, in Option #1, you have Day #16 driving from Tucson up to Meteor Crater. By Interstate, that's about a 6-7 hour drive. If you were to choose the state highways, such as AZ 87 through Payson, you'll have to find out how the roads are because you get into some higher elevations that might have snow. Interstates are closed when there is a bad snowstorm/blizzard, but they are quickly cleared and reopened since our truckers MUST get through. (BTW, Meteor Crater itself is not "on the way" from Tucson to the Grand Canyon unless you use the state highways. But it's only 20 minutes or so one-way, out of the way. GC is about 350 miles from Tucson, otherwise.)

I'd make a decision either way, pretty quickly. New Years Eve hosts book quickly, especially the two you mentioned. If it were me, I'd call or email both venues and make sure either one still has space now.



Donna