Flagstaff to Sedona

[MARK A]

Planning on a Mid March to Sedona. I have driven 18 and there's no way with the 5er.
I-17 looks like a decent freeway, and it doesn't add too much time on the trip. Any feedback on I- 17?


Thanks

Mark

[twindman]

I think from Sedona up I17 isn't too bad to Flagstaff. There might be one hill there somewhere, but the bad one is south of there. That hill is what convinced me to sell my straight six Chevrolet to get a V8!!! LOL I am serious - the six couldn't gain speed on that hill if I got slowed to 40 behind a truck.
Just re-read your question - Downhill from Flag is just go slow I think, as it is several miles and some curves.
This is all from memory from summer, but I think it is right.

[AZ Traveler]

Mark,

Two options; 89A or I17 to SR179. Use the I17 option. You might consider the 89A drive after unhooking - it is scenic.

[Daryles]

We stayed at Meteor Crater. We took a drive to Sedona down 89A. We were NOT hitched. Very scenic. VERY TIGHT switchbacks in places.
After touring Sedona we took i-17 back to Flagstaff. No problems.

[MARK A]

I mis stated I have been down 89A in a car, no way I'd attempt with the 5er, and I hauled logs in Oregon! LOL

Thanks for the input on I 17.


Mark

[BB_TX]

Shortly before you enter the curvy section.

[Harrisden54]

Last week I just drove I-17south to 179 north to Sedona from Flagstaff and then I-17 back to Flagstaff. Some steep down grades going south but no problems.
89A south out of Flagstaff is posted "no vehicles over 50' in length". I would not try that if your towing. Sharp switchbacks.

[Keith Schweizer]

Ditto on what Harrisden54 said

[Cat320]

Mark, you need to add what your tow vehicle is in your profile. I 17 southbound would not be fun in a gasser.

[MARK A]

Originally Posted by Cat320

Mark, you need to add what your tow vehicle is in your profile. I 17 southbound would not be fun in a gasser.

I've got a 2012 F350 Powerstroke.

Over 1/2 my career was driving Rock and Log Truck in the woods here in Oregon. Not much bothers me on the blacktop!

[AZ Traveler]

The slope on I 17 is relatively mild. There may be one short 8 deg section but it is all set up well. Just don't start down fast. You cut off a fair amount of the downhill getting off at 179.
Bigger deal going up the hill.

[StageCoachDriver]

I-17 is the only way unless you're a professional driver, a la CDL - i know a few who have done 89-A it pulling a big fifth wheel. I-17 back to Flagstaff will have some slow down inclines. I did I-17 this past summer in a pouring down monsoon pulling a HC305RL with a GMC 2500HD.

[MARK A]

Originally Posted by StageCoachDriver

I-17 is the only way unless you're a professional driver, a la CDL - i know a few who have done 89-A it pulling a big fifth wheel. I-17 back to Flagstaff will have some slow down inclines. I did I-17 this past summer in a pouring down monsoon pulling a HC305RL with a GMC 2500HD.

I drove professionally for 15 years but I'm still not going that way LOL.
I drove it in a rental car once. I-17 it is!


Mark

[StageCoachDriver]

Mark A - I'm with you on that point! :-)

[rjlamb]

I am understanding from all the comments that unhooking before going into Sedona is a MUST. Where would you recommend staying South of Sedona and travelling on 189 North to Sedona?

[DiamondLakeDuo]

Last year going home from Tucson to Washington State we made the mistake of passing thru Sedona and taking 89A with the 5th wheel. Never again. It was bad enough trying to get thru Sedona now with their very tight roundabouts. This season coming back to Tucson it was I-17 all the way to I-10 in Phoenix. Heard they are planning a big road repair project on I-17 but haven't heard a date yet.

[AZ Traveler]

Originally Posted by rjlamb

I am understanding from all the comments that unhooking before going into Sedona is a MUST. Where would you recommend staying South of Sedona and travelling on 189 North to Sedona?

You can get into Sedona with your rig, just don't take 89A north out of town.

[Scottish_Rovers]

Distant Drum in Camp Verde or Rain Spirit in Clarkdale are both nice. There are several other campgrounds south of Cottonwood that look nice but we have not utilized.