I-40 thru Arizona

[Larry]

I thought I-5 around Sacramento was beat up until I got on I-40 from Needles to Winslow. That’s the sorriest piece of crap freeway I’ve ever been on. Fighting 20 mph winds and potholes and uneven roadway tries the patience sorely. Don’t even think of getting off on an exit as they are even worse. They are working on it in several areas but the whole thing needs a new surface. Infrastructure is going to hell with all the 18 wheeler transports keeping it torn up.

Enough ranting. I’m camped for 3 nights in a great AZ SP (Homolovi) with beautiful sunsets in the dessert and letting the winds (predicted to gust to 50 mph tomorrow) die down. Life is good.

[Mike in AZ]

We drove our RV on our first outing, up to Williams from Phoenix. The I-40 was very bad on the stretch between Flagstaff and Williams. Pretty surprised to see a US Interstate that bad.

[Wrpt58]

Originally Posted by Larry

I thought I-5 around Sacramento was beat up until I got on I-40 from Needles to Winslow. That’s the sorriest piece of crap freeway I’ve ever been on. Fighting 20 mph winds and potholes and uneven roadway tries the patience sorely. Don’t even think of getting off on an exit as they are even worse. They are working on it in several areas but the whole thing needs a new surface. Infrastructure is going to hell with all the 18 wheeler transports keeping it torn up.

Enough ranting. I’m camped for 3 nights in a great AZ SP (Homolovi) with beautiful sunsets in the dessert and letting the winds (predicted to gust to 50 mph tomorrow) die down. Life is good.

Can't agree more about the condition of I-40 in this section. However, it's not too bad before nor after that stretch.
I really liked Homolovi SP the one time I stayed there. Nice view and good Camp Host.

[Sidewinder]

Agree with Larry, Needles to Winslow and back is about the worst road that I have driven recently. Driving a RV, dodging 18 wheelers, pot holes, pulling a toad makes for a long day.

[Larry]

Originally Posted by Sidewinder

Agree with Larry, Needles to Winslow and back is about the worst road that I have driven recently. Driving a RV, dodging 18 wheelers, pot holes, pulling a toad makes for a long day.

All the above along with 20-25 mph winds.

[Pete'sMH]

We were there this summer and agree 110%. What a dreadful piece of highway! So much so that I won’t drive it again until it’s repaired.

[Laco]

How sad that our once magnificent highway system has been allowed to degrade to such deplorable state.

[Larry]

The 2 lane road running from the painted desert to the petrified forest is pretty much deplorable also. Speed limit is only 35 and 45 mph but it will beat you and roll you to death. PPA saved me the $20. park fee but I question if I should have made the side trip due to the wear and tear the Axis took. Probably need new shocks and alignment when I get back to GA. Suppose the $20 fees will be used to build Trump’s wall.

[scrubjaysnest]

If you think that is bad, try US 160 from CO thru KS and MO. No shoulders and doesn't meet US hwy width standards besides the many miles that need resurfacing.
But then that is just the tip of the ice burg for failing infrastructure.

[steve76]

I lived in Bullhead City AZ. for 12 years and made many a trips from Needles to Barstow CA. before cutting over to Bakersfield CA at Barstow. In that time must have made 30 trips to CA. to see kids and they "always" had crews working on I-40 in that stretch that was one lane more than once for miles. Always working on that section. Job security for some paving company that's for sure.

[Bob Denman]

Question: What's the best way to cross Arizona?



Answer: Asleep, and in the back of a rented Van!

[SuperD]

Hey 69 from Texas to Indiana will shake the fillings out of your teeth!!!

[Travelin' Texans]

I -10 is nothing to brag about, especially coming into Benson, but I honestly think it's better than I-40. Both highways have soooo much truck traffic, I don't think they could ever keep up with repairs.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Question: What's the best way to cross Arizona?



Answer: Asleep, and in the back of a rented Van!

Answer: In an airplane at 30,000 ft. (Bonus: Grand Canyon looks great out the window)

There FIFY

[Larry]

Got so tired of fighting wind and I-40 truck traffic that I headed south and east at Amarillo on hwys 287, 82, and 69 via Wichita Falls to Tyler. Good 4 lane roads for most part with posted speed limit of 75 most of the way. I only drive 65 mph anyway. Few small towns along the way but better windy conditions, less traffic and little construction. See more of the real Texas that route also and found a good BBQ restaurant along the way.

Beginning Sunday will see how I-20 fares thru Shreveport and on eastward toward GA and home.

[Travelin' Texans]

From past experiences I don't think there's a decent road in the state of Louisiana.

[Wrpt58]

You're pretty much correct about the roads in La. Definitely Dont go around S/port on the west side to get on I-49. Bert Koons expressway is rougher than a cobb! I'd try going thru middle of town, Spring/Market street instead of that. It couldn't be much worse.

I-20 has had it's good spots, but I'm pretty sure it will be rough also. It's concrete slab construction, so plan on feeling the expansion joints/cracks at minimum.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

Answer: In an airplane at 30,000 ft. (Bonus: Grand Canyon looks great out the window)

There FIFY

I really DO like your idea...
But you will now have to deal with airport security...

[Larry]

Originally Posted by Wrpt58

You're pretty much correct about the roads in La. Definitely Dont go around S/port on the west side to get on I-49. Bert Koons expressway is rougher than a cobb! I'd try going thru middle of town, Spring/Market street instead of that. It couldn't be much worse.

I-20 has had it's good spots, but I'm pretty sure it will be rough also. It's concrete slab construction, so plan on feeling the expansion joints/cracks at minimum.

Thanks for the heads up. Will plan on going thru the middle and hope it won’t rattle me too much.

[Bob Denman]

Good luck!