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Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert

 
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 82216744
United States
07/24/2022 09:08 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
A non conspiracy thread......

I'm driving to Mesa, AZ next month from Iowa for a conference.

Does anyone out that direction have any words of wisdom for me? Do I need to make the drive thru the desert at night or will I be ok during the day?

Traveling by plane is not an option, I haven't been on airplane since 1991 because of 2 bad experiences in a row.


Thank you in advance.
 Quoting: mopar28m


Get a desert water bag and hang it in front of your grill/ radiator

And drive only at night

And don't go down any dirt roads after sunset

And don't stop for hitch hikers late at night out in the middle of nowhere
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 79321299
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07/24/2022 09:18 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
A car with a good cooling system and aircon should be fine.

If your radiator is iffy fix it or don't go.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 40946336



Have a mechanic do a full round check; oil, filters, coolant, tires, etc.

Always good to carry supplies, lights, tent, sleepbags, food, water, small cooker, just in case.

I'd go armed. Knife and pistol, extra mags.

I've driven across Canada and the USA several times, including twice through the SW.

Not a big deal, but being armed is a GOOD idea. Any motels look shady, sleep on the blankets, lock the door, prop w a chair, and keep the pistol next to you. Hotels should be safe.

Extra water or coolant; just in case. As I said, have a mechanic give a once over. If he suggests any major work, get a second opinion, lol.

Not a big deal.

Things have not gone to shit yet.

Don't watch any horror slasher movies; they are not real unless you luck is total shit, but it might make you paranoid.
tygre37

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07/24/2022 09:18 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
A non conspiracy thread......

I'm driving to Mesa, AZ next month from Iowa for a conference.

Does anyone out that direction have any words of wisdom for me? Do I need to make the drive thru the desert at night or will I be ok during the day?

Traveling by plane is not an option, I haven't been on airplane since 1991 because of 2 bad experiences in a row.


Thank you in advance.
 Quoting: mopar28m


I seriously thought this was a joke. Apparently people seem to think this is different than driving anywhere else in the U.S. there is literally a million vehicles a day driving through this entire state. So what ever cautions you normally take they should be the same for driving through Az. I drive from Prescott to Houston and Dallas 4 or 5 times a year, as well as drive to Sacramento through Reno and Truckee. The one thing I would suggest is common sense, although asking others advice is perfectly fine, it does give some insight as to your obvious incompetence to perform simple task that Americans could accomplish years ago on the old Route 66 with ease.
Anonymous Coward
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07/24/2022 09:21 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
Make sure you have some strong medicine to ward off skinwalkers......
Vasily

User ID: 79700576
United States
07/24/2022 09:23 PM

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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
A non conspiracy thread......

I'm driving to Mesa, AZ next month from Iowa for a conference.

Does anyone out that direction have any words of wisdom for me? Do I need to make the drive thru the desert at night or will I be ok during the day?

Traveling by plane is not an option, I haven't been on airplane since 1991 because of 2 bad experiences in a row.


Thank you in advance.
 Quoting: mopar28m


Get a desert water bag and hang it in front of your grill/ radiator

And drive only at night

And don't go down any dirt roads after sunset

And don't stop for hitch hikers EVER!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 82216744


Fixed that for you.
Anonymous Coward
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07/24/2022 09:25 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
Carry extra fuel, food and above all else water. If you break down your beyond f'ed. If you have a good amount of water(get an ice cooler), you will be less f'ed.

Maybe Gatorade might be better, as too much water can be bad.
egads!

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07/24/2022 09:29 PM

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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
I've driven those roads many times in my younger day before cell phones

never had a thought like yours about safety

never had a problem

albuquerque is fine to stop over in
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zzbudzz

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07/24/2022 09:29 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
If you have bald tires and a leaky cooling system (antifreeze), you might want to visit a garage first...
 Quoting: BRIEF


I'm renting a vehicle so if the car breaks down it's on the car rental company & not me.
 Quoting: mopar28m

If the car breaks down in the middle of the desert and you die ...maybe you can sue them. Protect yourself! Don't depend on some 23 yr old boogger picker at the rental desk to tell you the car is fine. YOU check it out the coolant and look at the tires, etc!
Banned often
mopar28m  (OP)

User ID: 73422959
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07/24/2022 09:44 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
If you have bald tires and a leaky cooling system (antifreeze), you might want to visit a garage first...
 Quoting: BRIEF


I'm renting a vehicle so if the car breaks down it's on the car rental company & not me.
 Quoting: mopar28m

If the car breaks down in the middle of the desert and you die ...maybe you can sue them. Protect yourself! Don't depend on some 23 yr old boogger picker at the rental desk to tell you the car is fine. YOU check it out the coolant and look at the tires, etc!
 Quoting: zzbudzz


Always, my husband taught me very well how to check over a vehicle before heading out on a road trip, purchasing, etc.

I'm second guessing everything I do right now because that safety net is gone & so is my confidence.

verysad

Last Edited by mopar28m on 07/24/2022 09:44 PM
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Anonymous Coward
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07/24/2022 09:47 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
Beware of the red eyed Chupacabras
mopar28m  (OP)

User ID: 73422959
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07/24/2022 09:48 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
A non conspiracy thread......

I'm driving to Mesa, AZ next month from Iowa for a conference.

Does anyone out that direction have any words of wisdom for me? Do I need to make the drive thru the desert at night or will I be ok during the day?

Traveling by plane is not an option, I haven't been on airplane since 1991 because of 2 bad experiences in a row.


Thank you in advance.
 Quoting: mopar28m


Get a desert water bag and hang it in front of your grill/ radiator

And drive only at night

And don't go down any dirt roads after sunset

And don't stop for hitch hikers EVER!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 82216744


Fixed that for you.
 Quoting: Vasily


A college girl was hitch hiking along I-80 here in Iowas after her car broke down. She was found dead later. There are signs along I-80 about not picking up hitch hikers.

Never have.....never will.
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The Don Of Nantucket

User ID: 80692948
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07/24/2022 09:57 PM

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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
seriously Karen/Chad ... thousands (perhaps 100 thousands) of people do it EVERY FUCKING DAY - with no issues

how did americans get to be such wimps

first time I made that treck was in 1968 in a black'48 caddi with NO AIRCONDITIONING ...in mid August in the daytime ...

no cell phones back then ... I didn't anticipate any problems (give the devil idea) and I didn't encounter any ... on my way from Cali to VA ... not one problem
 Quoting: Shadow Dance


Oh look I found a video of you driving back then. You must be like 130 years old now though huh?


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Anonymous Coward
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07/24/2022 10:00 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
Let a little air out of your tires, stop at rest stops, bring some ice/cooler water if you’re not used to the heat, make sure to get fuel when you can.

Blast some tunes and have good sunglasses!
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 79321299
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07/25/2022 01:28 AM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
seriously Karen/Chad ... thousands (perhaps 100 thousands) of people do it EVERY FUCKING DAY - with no issues

how did americans get to be such wimps

first time I made that treck was in 1968 in a black'48 caddi with NO AIRCONDITIONING ...in mid August in the daytime ...

no cell phones back then ... I didn't anticipate any problems (give the devil idea) and I didn't encounter any ... on my way from Cali to VA ... not one problem
 Quoting: Shadow Dance


Ok, I explained above why I had questions & some hesitation.

1968-----that was before I was born.

I'm asking for people who have made the trek in last 1-3 years.
 Quoting: mopar28m



Ignore the assholes. Tons of them in the world and many have always congregated on this site, for the last two decades I've been visiting.
Anonymous Coward
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07/25/2022 01:33 AM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
What are you afraid of ? Its all interstate just like everywhere else.
Anonymous Coward
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07/25/2022 01:39 AM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
If you have bald tires and a leaky cooling system (antifreeze), you might want to visit a garage first...
 Quoting: BRIEF


I'm renting a vehicle so if the car breaks down it's on the car rental company & not me.
 Quoting: mopar28m

If the car breaks down in the middle of the desert and you die ...maybe you can sue them. Protect yourself! Don't depend on some 23 yr old boogger picker at the rental desk to tell you the car is fine. YOU check it out the coolant and look at the tires, etc!
 Quoting: zzbudzz


Always, my husband taught me very well how to check over a vehicle before heading out on a road trip, purchasing, etc.

I'm second guessing everything I do right now because that safety net is gone & so is my confidence.

verysad
 Quoting: mopar28m


make sure you have a charged cell phone and maybe
an adapter for car charging. there's not many
areas without coverage, the only area I know of
now is a few miles from Pendleton OR to Baker City.

.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 83836388
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07/25/2022 01:54 AM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
A non conspiracy thread......

I'm driving to Mesa, AZ next month from Iowa for a conference.

Does anyone out that direction have any words of wisdom for me? Do I need to make the drive thru the desert at night or will I be ok during the day?

Traveling by plane is not an option, I haven't been on airplane since 1991 because of 2 bad experiences in a row.


Thank you in advance.
 Quoting: mopar28m

Take lots of water, make sure your vehicle is in good shape and fill or top off up you gas in the cities along the way.
You don't want to be stranded out in the heat between towns.

It is monsoon season so stay out of washes, low spots or water on the roadway. Flooding and flash floods can kill you.
Anonymous Coward
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07/25/2022 02:40 AM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
Would it be better to go thru Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Utah & then drop down into AZ?
 Quoting: mopar28m


Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Couldn't believe you wanted the so called Southern route?

Why?

You want western Nebraska and as for Colo don't forget Durango and "The Million Dollar Highway"..., why not shoot for Moab, Utah...You should stop in Flagstaff, Az before descending to the valley floor.

This is the best route, not the southern route.

Don't use your AC going up hills....turn it off until your going down hill or on a flat plain.

You're better off driving at night if you do the southern route...their won't be anyone driving even on Interstate highways.

You're always better off the Interstate highways...nothing to see...just saves a little time.
@MoonPie

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07/25/2022 02:45 AM

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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
Carry extra water in your car. Drink lots.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 83588591


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Anonymous Coward
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07/25/2022 03:10 AM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
If you have bald tires and a leaky cooling system (antifreeze), you might want to visit a garage first...
 Quoting: BRIEF


I'm renting a vehicle so if the car breaks down it's on the car rental company & not me.
 Quoting: mopar28m


If your car starts overheating while driving through the desert, swith your A/c to heat, roll your windows down and turn on your heater full blast to pull the heat off of your engine, so you can maybe continue traveling.

This happened to a friend traveling through death valley. It was the only way they could keep going.

You do not want to be stuck out there on the side of the road waiting for someone to come help.
 Quoting: Vasily


Filing this one away in my mental file of best advice ever from GLP.
Anonymous Coward
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07/25/2022 03:14 AM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
Be aware of your surroundings.

Do not play with snakes,and if you hear one move away from the sound not toward it.

Pack plenty of water and snacks with you. A backpack is also good. At least one white shirt.
Anonymous Coward
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07/25/2022 03:25 AM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
If you have bald tires and a leaky cooling system (antifreeze), you might want to visit a garage first...
 Quoting: BRIEF


I'm renting a vehicle so if the car breaks down it's on the car rental company & not me.
 Quoting: mopar28m


Check the agreement. Many rental companies charge an extra fee now or you pay.
Anonymous Coward
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07/25/2022 03:46 AM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
All I know from my one experience having a blowout outside of Loveloch, Nevada when the temperature was 107, it was freaking hot and the tire was even hotter. My fiancee held an umbrella over us as I changed the tire because the sun was like a blowtorch. Best blessings on your journey and don't forget to use your common sense and gut instinct.
Anonymous Coward
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07/25/2022 04:24 AM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
Don't stop in New Mexico.
 Quoting: Weyoun


Yikes, I was going to do an over night stop in Albuquerque as I'm planning on taking the southern route.
 Quoting: mopar28m


I do this route at least once a year. Stop in NM all the time. Never a lick of trouble. Folks keep pretty much to themselves there though, but it doesn’t bother me a bit.
Anonymous Coward
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07/25/2022 01:45 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
....and one more thing.... PAY ATTN to EXPLOTIONS!!!!

Thread: Arizona explosion? fire? what is this
mopar28m  (OP)

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07/25/2022 11:24 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
I'm about 90% decided I'm going to fly out to Phoenix & then rent a car to Mesa.

I can catch a bargain flight for half the cost of the rental. And I won't be wearing myself out driving & I can enjoy the conference I'm going to.

Now.....rent a Corolla or spend a bit extra & get a Challenger.

peace
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Anonymous Coward
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07/25/2022 11:27 PM
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Re: Advice about driving thru the New Mexico/Arizona desert
South to I-40.

Then West on I-40 to Flagstaff, AZ.

At Flag, go South on I-17 to Phoenix.

As you get to Phoenix, look for signs to Mesa.





GLP