On average traffic days I save 10 minutes by going through Globe instead of Payson to get from Show Low to Mesa.  The drawback is that you leave the pine trees sooner going to Globe. 

A note for you other travelers going that route.  The restroom facilities at the restaurants Payson have way fewer stalls in the ladies rooms.  I'm usually traveling with women who don't like waiting in lines after long drives, so I'm forced to go through Globe so they don't have an additional wait.

If you haven't gone through Salt River Canyon once in your life, I think you're missing out.  If you stop at the rest stop that's about half way down on the south side, you'll find a bunch of rocks that have lots of petroglyphs. A few have been mutilated by other travelers, but if you take a few more steps down the trail, you'll find there's more that are really nice.  Also, in the summer the Native Americans usually have a few blankets laid out with jewelry for sale at the rest stop at the bottom of the canyon.  There's GCK160 cache on the old bridge at the bottom of the canyon too.  But if you don't like twisty roads, stay away from this route.  The only highway that's worse than this one in AZ is the road between Springerville and Morenci. 

I agree that going to Flagstaff is really a waste unless you have a specific reason to make such a large loop.  If your destination was in the west valley, Flagstaff is a great route.  But from Deer Valley Road all the way to Meridian, you'll be wishing you'd avoided it, especially if you get to town during a rush hour. 

The alternates through Show Low and Payson are on well maintained roads, that are patrolled by DPS. 

Which ever way you choose to go, I hope you have a nice trip.

Jake - Team A.I.

On 6/16/07, thewiners <thewiners@cox.net> wrote:
We've made the drive to/from Gallup many times and live in the East Valley.  Due to the longer distance and how far to the east side AJ is, you'll be much better off (~45min-1hr) taking either the Holbrook/87 route or Show Low route rather than Flagstaff.  The highways are relatively fast, and I-17 plus navigating eastward across the valley gets slower every year.  Our preferred route is Heber/Payson, but I'm betting the Show Low route is the shortest if you're going to AJ, although as someone mentioned you will have to navigate a curvy road near the end of your trip.  I'm assuming it's telling you to go Holbrook, down the 77 to Show Low, then on the 60 into AJ.
 
If you choose the Holbrook route, you need to watch extra carefully for elk for the 30 miles west of Heber towards Payson (elk is everywhere, but it seems particularly thick there), and I would suggest you turn on the Bush Highway from the 87 to cut over to AJ instead of taking the 87 all the way into town.  Not sure if the map took you that way, or if it recommended all the way to Gilbert or Country Club on the 87.
 
The Winers
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 8:37 AM
Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Best Route

Yes, even though some 100 miles farther!
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 7:30 AM
Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Best Route

Going thru Flagstaff?

On 6/16/07, Creepin' Jeepers - Geocaching 7/01 <creepinjeepers@cox.net> wrote:
DeLorme calculates that you save an hour going the interstates.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 6:22 AM
Subject: [Az-Geocaching] Best Route

 
Not a Geocaching question but readers of this list might be able to help me.  This will be my first direct drive from St Louis to Apache Junction.  I'm fine with the drive until just after Gallup, NM where AAA says take Rt 60 at Show Low to Globe and then on the AJ.  Mapquest and such say take I-40 to Holbrook then 377 to 260 and then Rt 87 to eventually Rt 60 and then AJ.  I have to keep in mind that we will be starting this drive that day from Amarillo, TX so by the time we get to AZ it will be late and we'll be tired.
 
What Y'all think?

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