Highway 89 Utah to Flagstaff Arizona

[Western Traveler]

Heading south to Flagstaff from Montana. I will travel I-15 into Utah and it appears the shortest route is to pickup Highway 89 and continue into Arizona all the way to Flagstaff.
Any insight on Hwy 89 down through there would be appreciated. Anything I should be aware of?
I towed from Grand Junction west to I-15 in Utah last fall on I-70 with long grades but a nice Interstate.
Wondering how slow the going will be on this route.
Plan on departing this coming Tuesday or Wednesday.
Thanks

[jsmith948]

Haven't traveled that route, but was wondering. Where are you going to pick up Rt 89? If you get on 89 at Salt Lake, that looks to be a nice, non interstate drive through Utah. If you prefer the interstate, you could head on down I-15 toward St. George, grab 89 at Toquerville, which would take you through Zion.
I would Google it and then go for it. Good luck.

[Western Traveler]

Originally Posted by jsmith948

Haven't traveled that route, but was wondering. Where are you going to pick up Rt 89? If you get on 89 at Salt Lake, that looks to be a nice, non interstate drive through Utah. If you prefer the interstate, you could head on down I-15 toward St. George, grab 89 at Toquerville, which would take you through Zion.
I would Google it and then go for it. Good luck.

I have traveled most of that area including Bryce and Zion and the 89 all along the Salt Lake area just haven't used that corridor east of Bryce.
I am picking up I-70 from I-15 towards Richfield then Hwy 89 south towards Page. (I was supposed to have headed out sooner but had a couple of weeks delay. Now sadly I just need to get to Flagstaff and my plans for exploring along the way are off the table. My sightseeing will be have to be out my windshield).
I recall avoiding a highway coming out of Flagstaff heading to GCNP a couple of years ago do to the winding mountainous terrain but don't recall which one. Highway 89 looks like a well maintained corridor.

[hankaye]

Western Traveler, Howdy;

I came North using that same route 2 Springs ago.
Jump off of I-15 at the second Nephi exit (225). Turn Left and go through Salt
Creek Canyon into the San Pitch Valley. Be careful when you drive into
Fountain Green the Local police love to give out speeding tickets.
Straight through town, proceed to Moroni, and either stay in the right
lane and take the mandatory Right turn which will run you through
Chester then to US-89S where you make a Left to head towards
Ephraim. Or, you can continue through Moroni (Left lane), on UT-116 to
Mount Pleasant, where you turn Right on to US 89S at the traffic light
(only one in town). I lived in Mt. Pleasant for several years.
South on 89 till you get to I-70 at Salina, then West for about 6 miles,
then jump off and you're only on 89 at that time.
Page, Az. is a tourist trap... you'll pay about 1/2 again for fuel there as you
would any where else... Plan ahead!
The road from Page to I-40 is hilly, let me rephrase that HILLY! some
rolling hills as well as some good pulls.
A nice place to stop for the night is Carter's RV Camp in Mt. Pleasant. It's
where I used to live. Campground is clean and kept-up. All gravel.
Pull-thrus and not costly. They are behind the Rodeo Ring, Look Left as
you pass the Caboose on the Left. PM me and I'll send you the ph. #.

Hope this helps.

hankaye

[Western Traveler]

hankaye,
Thanks for that. Just what I was looking for. No knowledge like "Local" knowledge..
WT

[Western Traveler]

Update; Made the trek and it was mostly a good single lane highway with lots of passing lanes and easy pulls through the countryside. Lots of early holiday traffic which posed little problem and a scenic drive most of the route.
Needn't have given it a second thought...now camped at 7000ft outside of Flagstaff off Lake Mary Rd.
Archery Elk season 3 days away...

[hankaye]

Western Traveler, Howdy;

Glad you found the trip entertaining.

hankaye

[Pmedic4]

Shucks, your not going far enough on 89! If your very adventurous, 89A south from Flagstaff to Sedona. Not necessarily the first choice of routes for someone in a RV, definitely not if your RV is large.

But it's a beautiful drive, if somewhat nerve racking, at least for some in your car/truck. With a 35' 5er, I'm certain it would be terrifying. I'm sure others have done it, but not me.

[hankaye]

Pmedic4, Howdy;

Not nearly as exciting, but I-17S has some interesting ups & downs .

hank

[Western Traveler]

Originally Posted by Pmedic4

Shucks, your not going far enough on 89! If your very adventurous, 89A south from Flagstaff to Sedona. Not necessarily the first choice of routes for someone in a RV, definitely not if your RV is large.

But it's a beautiful drive, if somewhat nerve racking, at least for some in your car/truck. With a 35' 5er, I'm certain it would be terrifying. I'm sure others have done it, but not me.

That was our first long trip out of San Diego with this TT a couple of Springs ago. Headed to Sedona, camped in Oak Creek Canyon, then continued on up through Flagstaff and on to the South rim of the Grand Canyon. Highway 17 had a pretty long pull coming up and between that and 89A it is what spurred the inquiry.

Thanks Hankaye, your information was handy..
HaHa Hank, just saw your response to pmedic, right?

[hankaye]

Western Traveler, Howdy;

More than happy to help... Once ya get a few Western hills an valleys
under your tires they don't seem that daunting, ... do they???

hankaye

[Western Traveler]

Update;
Just came down 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona a couple of days ago after a successful archery hunt.
89A from Flagstaff to Sedona is and should only be scenic to a passenger but for an occasional glimpse of the mountains. Passed several tour buses going the other way and had to blast the horn at three separate vehicles going the opposite direction that drifted into my lane staring at the scenery.
There are a couple of reasons we chose this size trailer, not having to worry if we can negotiate tight mountain curves is one of them, dirt roads and two tracks another.
Hank, I didn't mean to give the impression I haven't towed on mountain roads. I just always do due diligence and what better place to come for real time experience such as you provided. Normally we just travel at a pace that is comfortable, but had time constraints this time and didn't want any surprises. Found time to tour Glen Canyon Dam visiter center, but more impressed with Hoover Dam though it was very scenic.
6019 miles in this trailer in 21 months that we have owned it having traveled through many mountain passes of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and Montana and our season is still going.

[hankaye]

Western Traveler, Howdy;

No harm, no foul. I appreciate a 'Heads-up" as a reminder that there may
be something to be watchful for. Helps me remember that I forget ... ummm
somthing I was goin' to say ... hummm. Oh well, glad to have been a little
bit of help.

hankaye