Albuquerque to Lake Arrowhead

[Maresa]

I will be driving in to the California line on Route 40. I want to take a little side trip to Lake Havasu City. So to get from there to Lake Arrowhead in February I assume the fastest way would be to go back up to route 40 and follow it to Barstow and then go south on route 247. Right? But what would it be like to take route 62 from Lake Havasu and then eventually go north on 247? Would the roads be bad in the winter? Would the scenery make it worthwhile? (Time is not an issue.) Thank you.

[glc]

Welcome to RTA! The 2 best ways are:

Take AZ-95 to I-40 to I-15 to CA-138 to CA-18 to CA-173.

Take AZ-95 to CA-62 to CA-177 to I-10 to CA-210 to CA-330 to CA-18 to CA-173.

There's a chance you may need tire chains. There's no way to get to Lake Arrowhead without that possibility. Right now the roads are clear but if it snows, expect a chain law to be in effect. Here is the Caltrans quick map which will show road closures and chain law areas:

http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov

Chain Control level R-1
Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires (M+S, M/S) on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.

Chain Control level R-2
Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four wheel/ all wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels. (Four wheel/all wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas).

Chain Control level R-3
Chains are required on all vehicles without exception. R-1 and R-2 are the most common conditions. A highway will often be closed before an R-3 condition is imposed.

[Maresa]

Thanks so very much! (Foolishly I guess) I had no idea about chains!!!