route planning (it's really hard to find free info about mountain highway grades)
I know I've got a few truckers, ex-truckers, and general road-trippers reading here. I need your help.
I'm pulling a trailer from (metro) Phoenix to Norman, Oklahoma.
In the interest of not only gas mileage, but wear and tear on my van, I'm trying to find the least steep way uphill to get from here to I-40.
up AZ87, though Payson, and then along 277 to Holbrook, to I-40E, has been suggested. This is my top choice. The only reason I'm unsure is that for the one good recommendation for it I've had, I've also had a person or two tell me that this would be unpleasant.
My other choices seem to be:
- going straight up I-17 to I-40E, which probably wins for speed, but I know from experience that the grades are 1- steep, and 2- curvy like Anna Nicole Smith.
- Taking I-10 southeast, through Tucson, into NM, and then up I-25 to catch I-40E. This would be the winner for absolutely least steep, but it adds a lot of time to the ride.
Anyone who's been these ways and can tell me about the grades on 87 and 277, or anyone who's good with topographical maps of highways, please help?
I'm pulling a trailer from (metro) Phoenix to Norman, Oklahoma.
In the interest of not only gas mileage, but wear and tear on my van, I'm trying to find the least steep way uphill to get from here to I-40.
up AZ87, though Payson, and then along 277 to Holbrook, to I-40E, has been suggested. This is my top choice. The only reason I'm unsure is that for the one good recommendation for it I've had, I've also had a person or two tell me that this would be unpleasant.
My other choices seem to be:
- going straight up I-17 to I-40E, which probably wins for speed, but I know from experience that the grades are 1- steep, and 2- curvy like Anna Nicole Smith.
- Taking I-10 southeast, through Tucson, into NM, and then up I-25 to catch I-40E. This would be the winner for absolutely least steep, but it adds a lot of time to the ride.
Anyone who's been these ways and can tell me about the grades on 87 and 277, or anyone who's good with topographical maps of highways, please help?