Best route from Wichita Ks, to San Diego Ca

[Jakessweetthing]

We will be traveling in June and will be towing a fifth wheel. My husband wants to avoid mountains as much as possible. We Have decided that we would like to see the Grand Canyon briefly on the way out (we have been before but its been about 12 years,so) and Zion NP on the way home. Our plans have changed several times, so we are open to suggestions. We are concerned about which route to take from the Grand Canyon to San Diego. Just looking for the best route. Thank you

[Desert_Captain]

Get online immediately and see if you can get a reservation for the Watchman campground which is actually in Zion, next to the visitors center/tram station. I think you can book up to 6 months out and it is a large campground so you have a decent shot.

Some of the sites are right on the river and they have a wide range of pull throughs and back ins in a variety of sizes. Last time we were there it was $18 a night {$9 for us Geezers} for 30 amp electric which is a smoking good deal given the location. No sewer but there is a nice two lane dump station right there.

The RV parks near Zion {in Springdale} have a checkered history of problems and are very pricey. If I could not get into Watchman I simply would not go, returning another time. Good luck!

:C

[Jakessweetthing]

Desert Captain wrote:
"we are thinking of taking this route? 8 to 78 to 10 to 40, OR 15 to 10 to 95 to 40.....whats your opinion? Leaving San Diego to The Grand Canyon"


Sorry for my confusion but 8 does not connect with 78 {which runs from Ramona east through Julian and down to Ocotillo Wells which is a great motorcycle road but not so much for anyone pulling a large RV - extremely twisty and steep} nor does 10 connect with 40. :h

You can easily take 15 north to 10, pick up 95 to 40 which is all pretty good road. Eastbound 40 gets you to Williams where you can access the Grand Canyon just a short ride to the north. I-40 from Williams, as I noted, is poor road until you get well east of Flagstaff but dodging the potholes is doable, just not much fun.

Skipping Zion, which is my favorite place on the planet, in June is probably a good call. It will be hot and very crowded. Zion in late April through early May or mid-September through October is about as good as it gets. Thanksgiving week we had highs in the mid-thirties and much colder at night, June got us 100+ all day every day. You can beat the summer heat somewhat by moving up to Bryce where the higher elevation will bring cooler temps.

Fortunately, you have lots of options and most of them are great. Good luck.

:C

Skipping Zion, which is my favorite place on the planet, in June is probably a good call. It will be hot and very crowded. Zion in late April through early May or mid-September through October is about as good as it gets. Thanksgiving week we had highs in the mid-thirties and much colder at night, June got us 100+ all day every day. You can beat the summer heat somewhat by moving up to Bryce where the higher elevation will bring cooler temps


So I am having trouble with finding sites available, at the Grand Canyon end of June. In this statement you said Zion is your favorite place on the planet! Although you also say it will be very crowded, where would you suggest we stay, Electric a must if its going to be hot. We are getting frustrated, because we hate to just drive by, and I thought 6 months in advance or close to it I would find something. Lesson learned for next time. But any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

[ohhell10339]

Easiest route is to bypass central AZ, because chewing your way through Phoenix can be no fun at all if you hit town at the wrong time. Another problem is that because of the terrain, you can't continue directly east from Phoenix on the interstates--you have to swing 100 miles south to Tucson, or almost 200 miles north to Flagstaff, to proceed east. (There's a pretty formidable mountain barrier to the east of Phoenix, and only US 60, a goat path in that area, crosses it.)

Therefore, I-40 is the ticket. San Diego to Barstow to Needles. Don't worry about the grades on I-40 heading through Flagstaff and Albuquerque. There are two pretty good climbs, but very gradual. Then, of course, continue on I-40 and swing northeast into Kansas wherever you want to.

[MDKMDK]

Haven't been through there in about 4 years, but Kingman seems like a typical AZ town, got most everything you'll need, including a Pilot/Flying J truck stop for dumping if needed.

[Jakessweetthing]

MDKMDK wrote:
If this was the route you were considering, the I-8 route up through Quartzsite, it looks OK, except for the area around Prescott, AZ. I'm not familiar with it.The original google maps route options link I posted.

YES we are actually looking at the southern or the middle route. And thinking about spending one night around Kingman. Thank you!

[MDKMDK]

If this was the route you were considering, the I-8 route up through Quartzsite, it looks OK, except for the area around Prescott, AZ. I'm not familiar with it.The original google maps route options link I posted.

[Jakessweetthing]

Thank you Everyone, Such great advice.

[Desert_Captain]

"we are thinking of taking this route? 8 to 78 to 10 to 40, OR 15 to 10 to 95 to 40.....whats your opinion? Leaving San Diego to The Grand Canyon"


Sorry for my confusion but 8 does not connect with 78 {which runs from Ramona east through Julian and down to Ocotillo Wells which is a great motorcycle road but not so much for anyone pulling a large RV - extremely twisty and steep} nor does 10 connect with 40. :h

You can easily take 15 north to 10, pick up 95 to 40 which is all pretty good road. Eastbound 40 gets you to Williams where you can access the Grand Canyon just a short ride to the north. I-40 from Williams, as I noted, is poor road until you get well east of Flagstaff but dodging the potholes is doable, just not much fun.

Skipping Zion, which is my favorite place on the planet, in June is probably a good call. It will be hot and very crowded. Zion in late April through early May or mid-September through October is about as good as it gets. Thanksgiving week we had highs in the mid-thirties and much colder at night, June got us 100+ all day every day. You can beat the summer heat somewhat by moving up to Bryce where the higher elevation will bring cooler temps.

Fortunately, you have lots of options and most of them are great. Good luck.

:C

[MDKMDK]

The 2 areas to avoid for steep gradients are I-17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff, and I-70 through Colorado, specifically from Denver to near Rifle. As far as non-interstates go, I couldn't comment on the route you've chosen. It looks fine, and google maps likes it. My only concern might be the section near Prescott, AZ. I'm not familiar with that section of road and there may be steep grades there.
I've driven 95 between Quarzsite and Kingman and it's not a bad drive as I recall. Boring, maybe, but Lake Havasu and Parker are nice little places to stop. The original "London Bridge" is in Lake Havasu. Sort of an off beat tourist attraction?

[Jakessweetthing]

MDKMDK wrote:

ohhell10339 wrote:
I-40 generally avoids the mountains, but you do gain a fair amount of elevation, albeit gradually. If you want to visit Zion on the way back, you will have to afterwards cross the Rockies at some point--easiest to take I-15 up to I-70, though you could conceivably retreat to I-40 via US 89 from Zion. The problem with the latter is that exits from Zion to the east through the tunnel are problematic and might cost you extra money, given that your rig probably exceeds the length limitations (you would have to be escorted through the tunnel).

Grand Canyon to San Diego: Just take I-40 through Needles to Barstow and thence south on I-15 to San Diego. Easy, monotonous, non-scenic, fast drive.

Ohhell and Desert Captain got me thinking a bit more about flatter routes from Zion eastwards.
Coming back from Zion to the east, then US89 south, to I-40 east, then at Albuquerque, pick up I-25 north to Denver and then east on I-70. This would get you around the Vail Pass, Eisenhower Tunnel, on I-70 through Colorado, and avoid the long uphill out of Albuquerque on I-40. Might be your best bet, unless I-25 north of Santa Fe has some steep grades I'm forgetting?
EDIT: Never mind about I-25 N to I-70. Too far past Wichita. Might as well test the I-40 east hill. Either way, I-35 is the final goal, and neither works really well. Sorry.
EDIT2: You could take I-40 east to Tucumcari and pick up US54 east from there right into Wichita. Maybe?

We decided to skip Zion this trip, and just stop at the GC again, because of time. We are thinking of taking this route? 8 to 78 to 10 to 40, OR 15 to 10 to 95 to 40.....whats your opinion? Leaving San Diego to The Grand Canyon

[Jakessweetthing]

Desert Captain wrote:
I-40 and I-17 in and around Flagstaff are terrible roads. Lots of potholes, poorly patched at best. East of Flagstaff or west of Williams the road surface gets better. As noted there are several steep grades between Flagstaff and Phoenix.

Also, note that the climb up and out of Albuquerque on eastbound I-40 is a long, very steep climb. Not a problem for 24' C but you folks hauling large trailers/fivers will have your work cut out for you.

Also be aware/prepared for seriously hot weather in June, Zion {and much of the rest of your route} could easily be triple digits.

Enjoy!

:C

we are thinking of taking this route? 8 to 78 to 10 to 40, OR 15 to 10 to 95 to 40.....whats your opinion? Leaving San Diego to The Grand Canyon

[MDKMDK]

ohhell10339 wrote:
I-40 generally avoids the mountains, but you do gain a fair amount of elevation, albeit gradually. If you want to visit Zion on the way back, you will have to afterwards cross the Rockies at some point--easiest to take I-15 up to I-70, though you could conceivably retreat to I-40 via US 89 from Zion. The problem with the latter is that exits from Zion to the east through the tunnel are problematic and might cost you extra money, given that your rig probably exceeds the length limitations (you would have to be escorted through the tunnel).

Grand Canyon to San Diego: Just take I-40 through Needles to Barstow and thence south on I-15 to San Diego. Easy, monotonous, non-scenic, fast drive.

Ohhell and Desert Captain got me thinking a bit more about flatter routes from Zion eastwards.
Coming back from Zion to the east, then US89 south, to I-40 east, then at Albuquerque, pick up I-25 north to Denver and then east on I-70. This would get you around the Vail Pass, Eisenhower Tunnel, on I-70 through Colorado, and avoid the long uphill out of Albuquerque on I-40. Might be your best bet, unless I-25 north of Santa Fe has some steep grades I'm forgetting?
EDIT: Never mind about I-25 N to I-70. Too far past Wichita. Might as well test the I-40 east hill. Either way, I-35 is the final goal, and neither works really well. Sorry.
EDIT2: You could take I-40 east to Tucumcari and pick up US54 east from there right into Wichita. Maybe?

[ohhell10339]

I-40 generally avoids the mountains, but you do gain a fair amount of elevation, albeit gradually. If you want to visit Zion on the way back, you will have to afterwards cross the Rockies at some point--easiest to take I-15 up to I-70, though you could conceivably retreat to I-40 via US 89 from Zion. The problem with the latter is that exits from Zion to the east through the tunnel are problematic and might cost you extra money, given that your rig probably exceeds the length limitations (you would have to be escorted through the tunnel).

Grand Canyon to San Diego: Just take I-40 through Needles to Barstow and thence south on I-15 to San Diego. Easy, monotonous, non-scenic, fast drive.

[Desert_Captain]

I-40 and I-17 in and around Flagstaff are terrible roads. Lots of potholes, poorly patched at best. East of Flagstaff or west of Williams the road surface gets better. As noted there are several steep grades between Flagstaff and Phoenix.

Also, note that the climb up and out of Albuquerque on eastbound I-40 is a long, very steep climb. Not a problem for 24' C but you folks hauling large trailers/fivers will have your work cut out for you.

Also be aware/prepared for seriously hot weather in June, Zion {and much of the rest of your route} could easily be triple digits.

Enjoy!

:C