Arizona, Utah - looking for best routes

[icoffeeus]

Hi - am coming from California, attending a function in Phoenix then:

1. head southeast to Clifton, via Hwy 60, Hwy 70 & Hwy 191
2. then to the White Mountains (Greer) via Hwy 191
3. then west to Sedona - route uncertain
4. then north to the Grand Canyon
5. then Hwy 64 to Hwy 89 north into Utah.
6. Routes in Utah uncertain, but wish to Canyonland, Arches, Zion, & ???
7. Back home via Hwy 15

Traveling in a camper so I have the option of camping along the way - I may or may not - at least I can make my own coffee :)

Any route or points of interest tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[DonnaR57]

Always check locally as you travel on some of the more local roads. I have memories of the road between Safford and Globe closing down because of a bridge-out one time, and needing to go through Willcox and Tucson to get back to Hayden/Winkelman/Kearny late one night after a choir competition in Safford. UGH!

Anyway, if local roads check out good, from Greer you can take AZ-260 through Heber to Payson, up to Strawberry and over to I-17 at Camp Verde. Take 17 north to exit 298 where AZ-179 can take you up to Sedona. Catch 89A North - beautiful road. Interesting stop may be had at Montezuma Castle National Monument, between Camp Verde and Sedona exit on the 17.


Donna

[Southwest Dave]

A common theme around here is that there is no single 'best' route or 'best' place just lots of great options to choose from to suit your tastes and time. You don't say how much time you have for the trip in total and that is significant as to what you can see. To get into Utah from the GC and see your 'wish list' I would head out through Monument valley [163] from GC and towards Arches and Canyonlands on 191. From there head up to I70 and take UT24 to Hanksville and Torrey and then UT12, which are both incredibly scenic. This would take you past Capitol Reef and Bryce canyon NP's before heading into Zion on the Mt Carmel Highway and finally I15.

[icoffeeus]

That is all very helpful info - thanks much. Probably 10-14 days, perhaps longer if we decide to go south to Bisbee & Douglas. Old memories there for me - grandparents are buried in Douglas.

[Southwest Dave]

The best thing to do is map it out your overnight stops to fit timescale and see where you are and what you can achieve, at a pace you are comfortable with. Once you have done so we can answer any new questions and offer suggestions and help 'fine tune' your trip.