Quartzsite,Az to Carlsbad,Ca

[grooving grandpa]

Going to Quartzsite in Jan. Looking for best route to Carlsbad State Park in Carlsbad Ca.(ocean front) without having to go I-10 to Riverside over to I-5. Traffic. What about Hwy 78 from Blythe to Brawley and I-8.

Thanks Lou

[Carl n Susan]

I guess it all depends in how big of a hurry you are in. If you want to make good time, I would take AZ Hwy-95 south to Yuma and pick up I-8 westbound there.

A slower route will be Hwy-78. I haven't been on that part of Hwy-78 for a while. But it isn't too bad for a two lane road. Hwy-78 goes to Brawley and then you have choices. Go south on Hwy-111 to El Centro and intersect with I-8. Or you could follow Hwy-78 around the bottom of the Salton Sea and then stay on it all the way to Carlsbad, CA. I have been on Hwy-78 and Hwy-111 between Brawley, El Centro, and both sides of the Salton Sea in the last year and they are fine roads. I have no idea what Hwy-78 through Anza-Borrego to Carlsbad is like. But it has to be more interesting than any part of I-8.

A variation is to take I-10 west to Box Canyon Road (just South of Joshua Tree National Park) to Mecca. Box Canyon Road is where a lot of western movies were filmed. Some interesting scenery if you have never been through there. From Mecca you can take either Hwy-111 or Hwy-86 on either side of the Salton Sea south to I-8 or Hwy-78 or ???.

Hopefully someone familiar with the western side of Hwy-78 will be along to advise you.

[helmick]

Last year we went from Quartzsite to San Diego on 95 to Yuma and then 8 to San Diego.
10 to 60 to 15 is a lot flater pull and faster. Been on 8 in Jan. with snow.

[grooving grandpa]

Thanks both Carl and Ron,

The scenic route through Box Canyon sounds interesting.. However, I also like the idea of less pull, so will probalby go I-8. We are going to Cottonwood and Sedona after Quartzsite and then on to Carlsbad.

[BirdingRVer]

quote:Originally posted by grooving grandpa

Thanks both Carl and Ron,

The scenic route through Box Canyon sounds interesting.. However, I also like the idea of less pull, so will probably go I-8. We are going to Cottonwood and Sedona after Quartzsite and then on to Carlsbad.

Lou,

If you are going from Sedona to Carlsbad I think 17 to 10 to 85 to 8 would be your best bet.

Grant aka BirdingRVer

[grooving grandpa]

Thanks Grant,
You are right. Maybe we will see you and Cathy at Quartzsite. Take care.

Lou