Worst Road Conditions on I-40 and US 93 Near Kingman, AZ: What to Expect

[garyb1st]

This has to be one of the worst section of Interstate highway in the country. From the East, maybe 20 miles before Kingman, to Highway 93 just past Kingman, and continuing North on 93 to Lake Mead. It will challenge your suspension. Unfortunately there are no alternatives to this disastrous road.

 

[8Muddypaws]

We drove that road a few years ago. IT was better than most of the roads in California. Highway 680 just north of Pleasanton caused my kitchen counters to split away from the wall, I dodged the worst of the potholes.

 

[garyb1st]

Maybe those in charge could zero in a bit. For example, they could add an R to MAGA. Make American Roads Great Again. That's one I could get behind.

 

[UTTransplant]

Gary, it probably won’t make you feel any better, but it used to be worse! Or at least the bad section was longer. AZDOT is replacing the roadbed in segments, and they have been doing it for a number of years. I drive it at least once a year, sometimes more. I just grit my teeth and make sure everything in the coach is tied down tight.

 

[LarsMac]

I remember I-40 between Kingman and Albuquerque being bad way back in my 18 Wheeler days. It's on my list of "Avoid at all costs routes"

 

[DonTom]

I remember I-40 between Kingman and Albuquerque being bad way back in my 18 Wheeler days. It's on my list of "Avoid at all costs routes"

In late 2021 (my trip to the Everglades in this motorhome) I-40 through AZ was one of the worse roads I ever been on. But as soon as I hit the NM state line there was new fresh pavement.

But the very worse road I was ever on was in 2017 in my Y2k RV, it was the road from the Big Bend of Texas to Carlsbad Caverns. More potholes than pavement, and they were impossible to avoid. That road would have been much better if it were unpaved!

I was lucky I could still drive it back home after being on that road.

When I got back home, I went for a wheel alignment, several control arms were bent and needed to be replaced before the wheel alignment could be done.

-Don- Bakersfield, CA

 

[Lou Schneider]

If you think I-40 is bad, avoid US 93 between Kingman and the NV state line (Las Vegas), Although it's two lanes in each direction it's as if AZ stopped maintaining the highway several years ago, waiting for the I-11 federal money to kick in and the I-11 planning and funding is proceeding at the usual glacial pace.

 

[Jackiemac]

If you think I-40 is bad, avoid US 95 between Kingman and the NV state line (Las Vegas), Although it's two lanes in each direction it's as if AZ stopped maintaining the highway several years ago, waiting for the I-11 federal money to kick in and the I-11 planning and funding is proceeding at the usual glacial pace.

Have you been recently. Im trying to remember if they'd started doing repairs last time we were on it.

@DonTom

We did Carlsbad to Big Bend Dec 2021 and the road we took was in good condition. Think I've said this before. Lots of oil fields so no surprises it gets chewed up though.

 

[garyb1st]

It looks like the thread I started but I don't recall writing the words "Travel Advisory". I guess the new owners have the right to do whatever they want with a post but it makes it difficult for me to find a post I made if for any reason I want to find it.

 

[DonTom]

Think I've said this before. Lots of oil fields so no surprises it gets chewed up though.

Yeah, back in 2017, I was surprised how busy that road was countless miles from any town. It had to be all workers.

I assumed there was no choice but to repave it, but I wonder how they did it on such a busy road. Hopefully it is now a four lane road, with two in each direction.

-Don- Bakersfield, CA

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Last time I drove I40 I found it easier if I straddled the fog line, thereby avoiding the tracks left by the traffic.

 

[Jackiemac]

It looks like the thread I started but I don't recall writing the words "Travel Advisory". I guess the new owners have the right to do whatever they want with a post but it makes it difficult for me to find a post I made if for any reason I want to find it.

I can't see any history changes to the title Gary. Unless AI changes don't show up....

@Tom any idea?

 

[Gr8bawana]

I just drove that section of I-40 and US 95 to Hoover dam in Nov. and it is terrible. Just as it's been for the last 20 years.
I doubt I'll see the completed I-11 in my lifetime.

 

[tanglemoose]

For 9 years that was our route but 4 years ago we switched to 95 from Vegas to Kingman. They always seem to be working on a leg of it, but it is absolutely the worst . We won't drive rv down 93, until fixed.

As for I 40 we drove from Prescott to Kingman last year, dreading it, but surprisingly the whole road going west had been re done, it was so nice. Well until you get by Kingman. The construction holes were horrible... they are going to make it nice with new way to get on 40, but afraid we won't be rv traveling then, it will take 5 years to finish.... until then, we avoid or grin and bear it!

 

[Mikeylikesit-WO]

This has to be one of the worst section of Interstate highway in the country. From the East, maybe 20 miles before Kingman, to Highway 93 just past Kingman, and continuing North on 93 to Lake Mead. It will challenge your suspension. Unfortunately there are no alternatives to this disastrous road.

I've driven that route several times. It was bad every time...but I have one that is worse. (or was, in Aug 201.

Interstate 90 from outside Madison WI down thru Rockford, IL. I couldn't believe that even semi's could use that highway! At some points I was doing 30 mph in the right lane so I could dodge the pits and trenches!