Towing route from Tucson to Show Low

[bigorange]

Towing a trailer from Tucson to Show Low in a few weeks. Wondering the best route. I'm planning to avoid Salt River Canyon since I'm towing with an F-150 and I know that will be tough, but not excited about I-10 an going thru Phoenix. How is the climb from Globe through Payson? Any tough spots to be aware of? Any other routes you'd recommend?

 

Thanks!

[PRDATR]

Have you thought about the Young Road from Globe?

[azgutpile]

79 to the 60

60 to Ellsworth

Ellsworth to bush highway

Bush highway to 87

87 to 260

260 to show low

 

The beeline has a couple hills, but its two lanes and a large shoulder.

[Big Tub]

We just towed our 26' up to Eagar from Tucson with my 11 yr old Ford F150 Supercrew. I go though Salt River Canyon without too much trouble. Timing is key: try to go early and not during busy times. I just pull over and let people go around frequently. I actually have more trouble from Dripping Springs up to the top of the hill at El Capitan (sp??). We got 8 mpg.

[Snapshot]

The back way up Highway 191 is a nice drive

[Big Tub]

The back way up Highway 191 is a nice drive

 

Ohhhh, SNAP .... Shot!

[muledeerarea33?]

I10 to deming, then up to silver city and all the way to alpine, springerville and snowflake then down into show low. Less hills but a long drive, I'd run the 10 to the Florence exit then thru superior and up the salt river canyon. More hills but way faster.

[POB]

For Elk hunting I run thru Phoenix to Payson then up to Show low. Lots more traffic but good roads and fewer hills. An alternate would be I-10 to Eloy, Florence, Globe then the Young road. Less traffic, longer drive, but pretty.

[bigorange]

The back way up Highway 191 is a nice drive

 

I do enjoy that drive, but no way I'd try that with a trailer!

[bigorange]

Thanks for all the input...I'm not familiar with the Young Road from Globe. How is that compared to 188 past Roosevelt up to Payson? Hard to tell what the road is like, especially between Young and 260 looks to be a smaller road on my older map...? Obviously more direct toward Show Low, but what about the climbs? I towed a little Scamp through the Salt River Canyon with a load of firewood in the truck last Fall, but not sure I want to push my truck to try that again with the larger trailer.

 

Thanks!

[joe hunter]

I would go right up Salt River hammer down... I take a loaded semi full of produce up that way a lot when I want to stop and visit me bro in NM. Got a big Kitty CAT under the hood though.

[azgutpile]

The young road is similar to the 191 with a few less hair pin turns. A good part of it is still dirt with dropoffs. The only two realistic choices are the 60 thru the canyon or 87 thru payson.

[firstcoueswas80]

I Would Rent Or Borrow A Better Truck (Diesel) And go The direct Route.