Utah Trip via Oklahoma City - Route Advice

[BinaryStar]

DW is planning a trip for later this summer that will take us through Oklahoma City (son lives there) then west to the sites in Utah that include Mesa Verde, Moab, Arches and Canyonlands. Possibly another leg west over to Zion/Bryce and then Monument Valley on the way back.

She uses RV Trip Wizard and her route (after OKC) goes something like this: I40W to I25N to US550 to US160 to US491 to US191 to Moab. The route to Zion and back to OKC takes I70 to US89 to AZ98 to US160 towards Monument Valley, then down US191 to I40E.

I'm driving a 35' F53 V10 gasser towing a 2-door Jeep, and wondering if some of these roads are sketchy for my rig, particularly US89 and the state roads like AZ98? We could skip the northern part of US89 and take I15 through to St. George but that seems to have it's own issues.

Anyone out there that has traveled these roads that could offer some advice?

Thanks, Jim R.

 

[LarsMac]

I don't think US550 fits in that sequence.
I25 to US160 then West on 160 is a decent route
550 is north-south route and and between Durango and Ouray can be rather exciting.
I'd double-check that. If you like exciting Mountain highways, go for it, but just want you to be aware what you are getting into.

I'd suggest staying on 160 all the way west to Cortez.

 

[Utclmjmpr]

US89 is very good all the way.. it is always kept in great condition as it was the main north south road thru the state before I 15 was built..>>>Dan

 

[Jackiemac]

US160 over Wolf Pass shows a road closure until January so best double check that one.

 

[LarsMac]

US160 over Wolf Pass shows a road closure until January so best double check that one.

Good point.
That's part of an ongoing project.
It is supposed to be passable after today.
But worth keeping an eye on that project for updates.

US 160 westbound: Tunnel maintenance.​

Updated May 28 by Colorado Department of Transportation
Between County Road 410 and Pass Creek Road (9 miles west of the South Fork area) at Mile Point 174. Tunnel maintenance. Until today at about 11:59PM MDT.
Full schedule below:
• June 5, 12:00AM - June 5, 11:59PM

Comment: The tunnel on US 160 Wolf Creek Pass (MP 174) will be closed 24/7 for construction May to October 2026. Motorists can expect minimal delays and will be detoured around the tunnel on a nearby bypass route.

 

[Jackiemac]

If it helps we've done the 70 from Silverthorne and its a decent route to Moab. And its a nice drive.

We've not done the section before that.

 

[Jackiemac]

The least climbing is the Albuquerque one but some of the roads in the 4 corners region aren't well maintained but not too bad overall.

Wolf Pass is quite a climb but we managed.

 

[LarsMac]

A correction to my earlier comment. I overlooked the US-550 route out of the Albuquerque area up to Durango. That is a decent route, though quite lonely. If you want to avoid city traffic, that one is a winner, but fuel and food stops can be far apart.
And it does avoid some of the mountainous part of US-160

 

[BinaryStar]

Thank you all for the feedback thus far. It does seem like some of those roads are pretty desolate. I'll be doing some more research before we make any solid plans.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

It does seem like some of those roads are pretty desolate.

It's not the roads that are desolate, it's where they are, mostly in the desert. Outside of Moab, there is nothing, nothing for miles. Keep the gas tank full when the opportunity to fill up presents itself.

89 is a beautiful, well-maintained "desolate" road. Every couple of miles, there will be a third lane for passing. Very well thought out. I enjoyed the ride along it in 2022.

 

[LarsMac]

It's not the roads that are desolate, it's where they are, mostly in the desert. Outside of Moab, there is nothing, nothing for miles. Keep the gas tank full when the opportunity to fill up presents itself.

89 is a beautiful, well-maintained "desolate" road. Every couple of miles, there will be a third lane for passing. Very well thought out. I enjoyed the ride along it in 2022.

Yeah, "Desolate" is not really the right word.
Load up your CD player with some good music, top off your tank, and head out. When you see a fuel stop, ..., stop. (take your time at fuel stops, check the oil, check the air in your tires, take a breath and relax. You're not going to get anywhere really soon, so don't be in a hurry. It will be a good day.

 

[BinaryStar]

Thanks, Adventurous Traveler and LarsMac. I have been on some long empty stretches before but definitely not desert. It doesn't scare me off though - DW's gonna go where DW's gonna go!

 

[LarsMac]

It's actually only a couple of hours, but it's so empty, the mind plays tricks on you, and becomes that whiney little kid in the back seat - "When are we gonna get there? I've been sittin' here for HOURS! I need to go to the bathroom! I'm Hungry! Bobby keeps hitting me! Make him stop! "