Comments By Serah D.

Heavy jam from Herrin Exit 45 sign. Avoid if in a hurry. Typing in jam.

I've taken that route a few times. The Wind River Canyon is incredibly beautiful, one of my Top 5 favorite stretches of road to drive for sheer beauty.

On the other hand, it's a steep, twisty, narrow road, and probably one of my least favorite stretches to drive, especially if I'm pressed for time or if it's snowing. (Yes, I have driven down that road when it was snowing. I don't recommend it.) It's a tough drive that requires your full attention and care, especially in a truck. It's not really a beginner run, so kudos to you for making it through there safely.

Bud A. You describe it well. In between trying not to curse my DM, knees trembling and a few tears, I did manage to take a few pics as proof of my misery in that 1 hour. I would look back and see a snake of cars behind but there was no way l was going to drive any faster. l was thoughtful and considerate enough to stop twice on the side where they had picnic sites to let everyone pass before continuing. Told a trainer about it and he couldn't understand why l was routed that way my first week solo. Since then, my DM chooses my routes carefully....LOL

Have never driven that route. But I can tell you about a few state routes I have driven in PA, short distance 9 - 12% grades with a stop at the bottom. If this is close to what you had, then the best suggestion I can make is to take it slow and easy. Most of the routes in PA I have had to do this are usually 20 mph for trucks, so creeping down doing 10 or less mph is the best solution I have found.

Ernie

Good advice Ernie. 10mph it was all the way down. Made many drivers unhappy coz there was only one lane.

Has anyone driven on this road? Would really like to know what your thoughts on this grade are, compared to others. I could post a pic of it but l don't know how.

Just curious. How many of you would accept a load going 500 miles - PU 9/1, DEL 9/5?

Been with the company 5 weeks solo and can now drive 500 + miles a day easy. I did call and ask what l was supposed to do while waiting to deliver. The answer was I will give you a new load. I don't know if its a Swift way of doing things but that's not the only load l have been given with too many days before delivery. Got another going to CA with an extra 5 days, thankfully my DM worked to have it T-called in NM. I do have a wonderful DM who gives me the miles.......everything is good...so far!!

Just curious. How many of you would accept a load going 500 miles - PU 9/1, DEL 9/5?

How is the drive going downhill compared to others? Was routed that way to UT, NV and finally CA on my second load solo. Its still a nightmare I re-live once in awhile!!

Actually, I think the shortest / fastest route is down through Gallup NM and take I 40 across. I was just through there , I took a load from Hurricane down to Odessa TX. It starts out looking a little dicey but only for a few miles and then flattens out on top. LOL!

JJ

Yep, I would go that way rather than across Colorado. I would take UT-59/AZ-389 to Fredonia, then take US 89A up to US 89 in Kanab, then US 89 all the way around through Utah and Arizona. I have been on US 89A down through Arizona to US 89, and although it is wildly beautiful, it's not really a truck road. There are some steep grades, the curves are tight and there are lots of people in RVs who like to stop along the shoulders to look at the canyons.

I am not sure whether it would be better from there to go down to US 160 in Arizona, then at Tuba City take AZ-264 to US 491 to I-40 in Gallup, or to take US 89 all the way to Flagstaff to I-40, since I haven't been on 264 before. The terrain doesn't look too bad on 264, but it's kind of curvy and I'm not sure what level of service you can get there if you break down.

I took 9, 59, 389, 89A then 89 to I-40 all the way to OKC before getting on I-44. Best drive so far!!

Which route has less hills and grades between Hurricane UT and Bentonville AR? Which route would you take and why?

Maybe its because I am still a new rookie, I cannot wait to sleep once I am done for the day.