I will probably be taking I40 to Holbrook, then swing down to Show Low. East from there, through Springerville to Quemado, then south to Armijo Springs. - - - I would gladly take any suggestions. In my line of work, and at my age, you never know if this will be the last trip.
Tracy - you named what is probably the shortest route - in miles and time. But. for me, the stretch on I40 from Flagsaff to Holbrook, and from there to Springerville, is not as scenic as a slightly longer trip.
If you have a bit more time, you can leave I40 at Winslow and drive south through some gorgeous forest to Payson and see more of the famous Mogollon Rim area by turning east on 260 at Payson to Show Low. From there, drive US 60 into NM.
With some more time, you can leave I40 at Ash Fork, AZ driving south almost to Prescott, AZ, then turn east and go "over the top" of Mingus Mtn, dropping down through the old mining town of Jerome (still alive and interesting) then downhill over to nearby Camp Verde and then east (that's a nice scenic drive - Gen. Crook Trail) to the road that comes down from Winslow and turn south to Strawberry, Pine and Payson. If you wish any specific details and route numbers for the above, let me know. Several guys on here know more than do I and can make suggestions. Wish I were making that drive again.
This sounds so good that if I can't do it this trip, it will go on the Bucket List.
After doing both of those routes...
I usually do the South at Holbrook, Show Low, Stringerville and then Quemado south on the way there..
heading home I have more time to spend, so I do the Rt 260 to Camp Verde on I 17, and head north to Flagstaff and then home...
From Kingman, instead of I 40, I get off and take Rt 66 East...to Seligman where it rejoins I 40.. I like it enough to take it again when heading home, from Seligman back to Kingman...
go thru 'downtown' Kingman on "Andy Devine" Drive ( old US 66) before heading north on US 93 soon to be Interstate 11 up toward Vegas....then north up US 95....
If I really have the time, I head north on US 93, until I hit US 50 and then take that across Nevada dubbed " The Loneliest Highway in America" in like 250 miles, you go thru like 4 places that can even be called a town...yet go by ruins of old stage coach Stops and Pony Express stops where the ruins are still there to see...
