Route from Quatzsite to Cottonwood AZ

[David Anderson]

Leaving the Balloonfest at lake Havasu Monday to Quartzsite. Next Friday heading to Cottonwood.  I don’t want to repeat I10 from Buckeye through Phoenix. The road there was awful going westbound through the construction. Dare I take the coach through AZ89 through Prescott?
Looks pretty rugged.  My next choice would be US60 to AZ303 loop around Phoenix then climb the hill up I17.
David

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Don't take the bus on 89 to Prescott, lot of slow curves, there may be a length limit too.  If you don't want to do I-10 all of the way to Goodyear, doing 60 to Morristown and then 74 to 17 and then up to Camp Verde is slower but a lot less traffic. From Camp Verde to Cottonwood there are something like 9 roundabouts that you go thru. Mileage is about the same either way. 

[Ed Hackenbruch]

And don't even think about going from Prescott to Jerome to get to Cottonwood!!!

[luvrbus]

Take the 101N around hit Phoenix between 10 am and 3 pm and boogie,you can go through Wickenburg from Quartzsite to I 17 to Camp Verde and across with no traffic but you have a long grade for about 10 miles after Black Canyon on 17 just take your time it  it's cool so heating is not problem. Me I would go I 40 to Kingman then across to Wickenburg to I17 to Camp Verde   

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Clifford, why would you go that way?  Quartzsite to Wickenburg is 92 miles.  Quartzsite to Kingman, 132 miles, and Kingman to Wickenburg is another 131 miles. 

[luvrbus]

I thought David was in Quartzsite till I read he in Havasu I couldn't figure out why he wanting to go I10 if he was in Havasu getting to 10 is the long way around, get on I40 from Havasu to Kingman,to Wickenburg to 74 (30 mi ) to I17 to Camp Verde,people do take the long routes for change the desert is boring as hell,Cotton Wood is only 17 miles off the 17 if he goes the CornVille road,he is leaving from QS on 10 he has several choices he can go 60 to Globe and across,it is nice drive but it is 150 miles across     

[usbusin]

Sounds to me that he is leaving from Quartzsite on Friday. Maybe he can clarify.

[David Anderson]

Yes, leaving the Q next Friday.

Thanks guys. I figured AZ89 was a no go. I will do US60 east to the 303 around Phoenix to I17.

The trucks on I10 are about 9 to 1 over cars. It’s really crowded on 10.  Getting like I35 between San Antonio and Dallas.😵‍💫

[David Anderson]

I looked at the map again and AZ74 looks good. I will jump on it at Morristown. Thanks again 👍

[luvrbus]

That is the best David cut across to Wickenburg about 20 miles east of Quartzsite off of I10 and you miss the Phoenix traffic

[David Anderson]

That is the best David cut across to Wickenburg about 20 miles east of Quartzsite off of I10 and you miss the Phoenix traffic

Thanks Clifford.
We’ve been at the Balloonfest all week and nothing but wind.  So I missed the eagle rally at Q but head there Monday.  Probably will stay at Rice Ranch near I10. Sorry  I missed out hanging with the “birds” 🦅
David

[windtrader]

Dave, the route shows a longer trip but faster so must be far less curvy and slow. Calc done with G maps

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Don, he doesn't want to do 1-10.  And your other route takes him thru Jerome....and he definitely doesn't want to do that!!!  Needs to take it to Wickenburg, then to Morristown, then 74 to the 303 for a few miles and then up I-17 the rest of the way.

[luvrbus]

Why the 303, Lake Pleasant highway (74 ) dead ends at I 17 at the mall (30 miles), then he heads N on I 17 or he can cut 5 miles off the trip by going the New River highway to I 17 from highway 74 then he heads N on I 17,I think the 303 is closed till Wed he better check it

[Ed Hackenbruch]

My mistake, i was thinking that 74 tied into the 303 and then into the 17.  As far as taking the New River shortcut,  i use it coming south but going north i go around the longer way if i am towing anything or using the bus. I don't like the on ramp, you have to stop or slow down to make a left to get on it, it goes up a short hill to get on 17 and you can't see the traffic to merge until you are almost at the top.  You won't be going very fast and it has a short merge lane and if there is a lot of traffic they may not let you in.