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Huskernsooner71
12/27/2006, 11:00 AM
I was just wondering who is making the drive to Phoenix from the Oklahoma area. We are going to be leaving Friday afternoon but some of the forecasted conditions are getting a bit scarey with possible snow throughout Texas and New Mexico. Anyone else getting ready to start the trip??

14 hours of FUN!! Ha - - - One Way!
josh09
12/27/2006, 11:25 AM
Flying :D
SoonersEnFuego
12/27/2006, 11:45 AM
I was going to until I figured out it was a 17 hour trip for me. I'm from Bartlesville.
OKLA21FAN
12/27/2006, 11:47 AM
if the weather is a factor:

two words of advice

'southern route'

(thru Dallas, 1-20 to 1-10)
Sooner_Bob
12/27/2006, 11:48 AM
if the weather is a factor:

two words of advice

'southern route'

(thru Dallas, 1-20 to 1-10)

Beat me to it . . . NM tends to close down I-40 if they even think it's slick.
OKLA21FAN
12/27/2006, 11:54 AM
Beat me to it . . . NM tends to close down I-40 if they even think it's slick.
no doubt

a couple of years ago on the way back from the LV Nascar race, we were 'snowed in' in albuqurque for over two days, becuase i didnt pay attention to the 'forcast'.

had we taken the southern route, we would have had no problems.
Soonermagik
12/27/2006, 11:55 AM
I'm driving after much debating. I didn't want to not have a car down there, and renting a car is another added expense. Plus, with layovers I wouldn't save that much time. Make sure you bring some powerbars, bottled water, matches, sleeping bags, flashlight with extra batteries. If we run into bad weather at least we will be prepared. My wife says I have been watching too much discovery channel survivor shows. IMHO, it's better to be over prepared then deal with a disaster with no supplies. I'm going to watch the weather closely if it is to bad I'll be taking the southern route.
SoonerMom2
12/27/2006, 11:57 AM
My daughter and I came back from San Diego at Christmastime on I-10 several years ago because I-40 had snow/ice, and we didn't have chains for the car. Nice boring drive but a safe drive with no snow or ice usually. Watch out though on I-10 though when you leave NM because Arizona has all kinds of troopers at the exits to pick up speeders. We counted at least 11 trooper cars pulling over people on I-10 at one of the last exits before you enter NM. We saw more troopers in AZ picking up people on I-10 then I had ever seen in my life on an interstate. Be very careful with the speed on I-10 as you approach AZ as well because NM had a lot of troopers out in the last 100 miles of NM on I-10. We didn't see one trooper on I-10 in TX after I-20 merged south of El Paso.
cvsooner
12/27/2006, 12:05 PM
I-10 through most of Arizona, though, has a 75 mph legit speed limit. How fast do you NEED to go?

I-10 is a bit dull, otherwise, but between the lower elevation and lower latitude, it's almost never closed due to weather. I-40, though, runs through Albuquerque and Flagstaff, both of which are quite high and more likely to be affected by weather.

I live in Central Calif., myself, and am flying out of beautiful downtown Burbank to Phoenix.
soonersam
12/27/2006, 12:22 PM
I will be driving also... scottsdale to glendale can get crazy.
yermom
12/27/2006, 02:29 PM
dude, Instigator will be ****ed if we have to go the I-20/I-10 route ;)

we are leaving Friday morning, planning on going through I-40
instigator
12/27/2006, 03:25 PM
dude, Instigator will be ****ed if we have to go the I-20/I-10 route ;)

we are leaving Friday morning, planning on going through I-40

I'll be waiting. See you guys at 5am when you pick me up. :D
Huskernsooner71
12/27/2006, 03:31 PM
I just checked the forecast and as of 2:30, 70% chance of snow in Amarillo on Friday, and 20% chance of a rain and snow mix in Albuquerque on Friday. The southern route might be the way to go. Is it a lot further to take the southern route??
yermom
12/27/2006, 03:41 PM
looks like it's ~300 miles longer

not sure on the differences in the highways though
colleyvillesooner
12/27/2006, 04:06 PM
Why doesn't God want us to go to our post season games? This is two in a row (Big 12 CG)

:mad:
blackbeauty02
12/27/2006, 04:07 PM
Leaving tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM!
Huskernsooner71
12/27/2006, 04:30 PM
Why doesn't God want us to go to our post season games? This is two in a row (Big 12 CG)

:mad:


Oh I will be going to a post season game no matter what. If he doesnt give me the chance to go phoenix, ill just have to get me some 12$ tickets to watch the Huskers beat Auburn. I will not go a post season without a bowl game. Without a bowl game, my life is not complete.

I just read the newest forecast as of 3p.m. They are not sure on the whereabouts or strength exactly of the storm but they are predicting 4-8in in Amarillo on Friday with near blizzard like conditions because of a North 15-25mph wind. The rest of my caravan cant leave until Friday evening around 5. I hope they dont have I -40 closed at all towards amarillo. That is where we are planning on staying the night!!
Harry Beanbag
12/27/2006, 04:34 PM
I will be driving also... scottsdale to glendale can get crazy.


We're coming from Gilbert, I'm packing bottled water and chains just in case.
OUHOMER
12/27/2006, 04:42 PM
We are leaving Saturday morning. I will be checking the weather but for now its I40 all the way
Huskernsooner71
12/27/2006, 05:28 PM
We're coming from Gilbert, I'm packing bottled water and chains just in case.

Hey, Gilbert is where we are staying!! Is it a small town or fairly large? I know it is 45 minutes from the other people that we are driving down with. They are staying in Sun City.
OUFAN29
12/27/2006, 05:45 PM
Driving and Flying. Both from San Diego but I am flying via El Paso (SAN-PHX-ELP-PHX)
Harry Beanbag
12/27/2006, 05:45 PM
Hey, Gilbert is where we are staying!! Is it a small town or fairly large? I know it is 45 minutes from the other people that we are driving down with. They are staying in Sun City.


Depends, if you're from Oklahoma it's big. :)

Gilbert probably has a population of 150,000 now, it's growing so fast it's hard to keep track of it. Fastest growing city over 100,000 people in the country for like 5 years in a row. But it's just a bedroom suburb, probably comparable to Edmond in the OKC area.

45 minutes to Sun City is pushing it. Mapquest says Sun City is 54 miles from my house.
OUFAN29
12/27/2006, 05:46 PM
Hey, Gilbert is where we are staying!! Is it a small town or fairly large? I know it is 45 minutes from the other people that we are driving down with. They are staying in Sun City.

We are staying in Surprise/Sun City as well. Atleast the 30th-2nd. 29th in Scottsdale
Huskernsooner71
12/27/2006, 06:40 PM
Everytime I watch the weather channel or check with the national weather service, it looks more like the extra 300 miles on the south route might have to be made. They are saying over a foot of snow in parts of colorado, ks, and Nebraska. Down in New Mexico, it isnt looking very good either. There are already Winter Storm Watch's in effect.
OKLA21FAN
12/27/2006, 06:59 PM
Everytime I watch the weather channel or check with the national weather service, it looks more like the extra 300 miles on the south route might have to be made. They are saying over a foot of snow in parts of colorado, ks, and Nebraska. Down in New Mexico, it isnt looking very good either. There are already Winter Storm Watch's in effect.

it maybe 300 'extra miles', but at an average speed of 60+ MPH, compared to the 400 potential miles at less than 40 MPH (maybe not moving at all)

let the 24 second clock run down till the last moment, check with the weather service and call an audible on this one.

either way, hope you have a safe trip
bluesmagoo
12/27/2006, 07:46 PM
I-40 will be shut down, probably. Maybe from Amarillo to Gallup. Go the southern route and leave early.
King Crimson
12/27/2006, 08:13 PM
Everytime I watch the weather channel or check with the national weather service, it looks more like the extra 300 miles on the south route might have to be made. They are saying over a foot of snow in parts of colorado, ks, and Nebraska. Down in New Mexico, it isnt looking very good either. There are already Winter Storm Watch's in effect.

yup, they are saying a foot or more in Colorado starting tomorrow afternoon-night.

you guys be careful driving. and make good decisions if you have to make one.
OUHOMER
12/27/2006, 08:36 PM
damn not good. I really didnt want to drop down to 10.
OUHOMER
12/27/2006, 09:09 PM
OK Plan A - OKC to Flagstaff turn left to PHX 1011 miles.

Plan B - OKC to Santa Rosa NM (425 miles) to Las Cruces NM (245 miles) to Phoenix- (377 miles) 1047 total miles

Plan C OKC to Amarillo ( 259 miles) to Roswell NM ( 215 miles) to Las Cruces NM (184 miles) to Phoenix (377 miles) total 1035 miles.
Huskernsooner71
12/27/2006, 09:13 PM
damn not good. I really didnt want to drop down to 10.

Nor did I. Its already a long enough drive. You will be right behind us because we are only going to have about 5 hours drive time on Friday night.

Forecast for New Mexico as of 8pm
...SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS FORECAST TO RETURN TO NEW MEXICO
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY...

.AN UPPER LEVEL STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS ARIZONA TONIGHT THEN
STALL OUT ACROSS NEW MEXICO THURSDAY BEFORE EXITING THE STATE
FRIDAY. THIS WILL BRING ANOTHER ROUND OF SIGNIFICANT SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS TO THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT. WHILE SOME AREAS WILL
NOT BE HIT AS HARD AS THEY WERE DURING THE STORM LAST
WEEK...CERTAIN LOCATIONS MAY RECEIVE LARGER AMOUNTS. AT THIS POINT
IT APPEARS THAT WESTERN AREAS WILL SEE THE BULK OF THE SNOW ON
THURSDAY...THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS THURSDAY NIGHT...AND THE
NORTHEAST PLAINS FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT. THUNDER COULD ACCOMPANY
THE SNOW AT TIMES...WHICH MAY LEAD TO SMALL POCKETS OF VERY HEAVY
SNOW WHICH WILL ACCUMULATE QUICKLY AND REDUCE VISIBILITIES. FOR
THE MOST PART...WINDS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE A BIG FACTOR...EXCEPT
IN THE NORTHEAST ON FRIDAY...WHERE NORTH WINDS COULD PRODUCE
BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WHICH WOULD ALSO GREATLY REDUCE
VISIBILITIES.

Here is the forecast for Amarillo

THE LATEST MODEL INFORMATION INDICATED THAT A MIXTURE OF RAIN
AND SNOW MAY DEVELOP AS EARLY AS THURSDAY NIGHT IN THE EXTREME
WESTERN OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST TEXAS PANHANDLES ALONG THE LEADING
EDGE OF THE WINTER STORM. THE SNOW POTENTIAL SHOULD INCREASE DURING
THE DAY ON FRIDAY ONCE THE MAIN PART OF THE STORM ENTERS THE
PANHANDLES. SNOWFALL COULD EXTEND INTO LATE SATURDAY WHEN THE WINTER
STORM EXITS TO THE EAST. AS OF NOW...SNOWFALL AMOUNTS COULD REACH UP
TO FOUR TO EIGHT INCHES...MAINLY OVER THE WESTERN HALF OF THE
OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST TEXAS PANHANDLES. LESS THAN FOUR INCHES ARE
EXPECTED ELSEWHERE. BY THE WAY...THE LIKELIHOOD OF FREEZING RAIN AND
SLEET IS LOWER WITH THIS STORM SINCE THE LOWEST PORTION OF THE
ATMOSPHERE ABOVE THE GROUND COOLS STEADILY BELOW THE FREEZING MARK.

IN ADDITION...WINDY CONDITIONS COULD PRODUCE NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS
ON FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NOON. STRONG NORTH WINDS WITH SPEEDS
OF 15 TO 25 MPH SHOULD RESULT IN BLOWING SNOW...REDUCED VISIBILITY
AND VERY COLD WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES.


If you happen to see 4 stranded motorists jammed into a Grand Am on the side of the road like a can of Sardines, stop by and say hello :)
Huskernsooner71
12/27/2006, 09:14 PM
OK Plan A - OKC to Flagstaff turn left to PHX 1011 miles.

Plan B - OKC to Santa Rosa NM (425 miles) to Las Cruces NM (245 miles) to Phoenix- (377 miles) 1047 total miles

Plan C OKC to Amarillo ( 259 miles) to Roswell NM ( 215 miles) to Las Cruces NM (184 miles) to Phoenix (377 miles) total 1035 miles.


Plan D - Cotton Bowl :)
OUHOMER
12/27/2006, 09:17 PM
I am glad we are taking my truck, 4 wheel drive with brand new heavy lug Toyo tires, Thanks LWM. I am going for it.. DAMN IT
soonernation
12/27/2006, 09:57 PM
if the weather is a factor:

two words of advice

'southern route'

(thru Dallas, 1-20 to 1-10)


This is the route the Pride is taking. The only reason I know this is because they are here (Midland,TX) at the high school stadium practicing as I type this. I went and watched for about 20 minutes got bored and left.
blackbeauty02
12/27/2006, 10:04 PM
I'm leaving about 5 tomorrow and we plan on getting to scottsdale by 7. Is the forecast bad for tomorrow for driving? I haven't heard anything.
soonernation
12/27/2006, 10:14 PM
looks like it's ~300 miles longer

not sure on the differences in the highways though

Its about 120 miles farther to travel on I-20 and I-10.
soonernation
12/27/2006, 10:17 PM
By the way. Go through Wichita Falls if you go this way. Weather permitting of course.


http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7627/okctophoenixev1.gif
Huskernsooner71
12/27/2006, 10:40 PM
By the way. Go through Wichita Falls if you go this way. Weather permitting of course.


http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7627/okctophoenixev1.gif


Awesome man!! I thought you guys were talking about going through Dallas and then over on I-20 and I-10. I was wondering how it was only 120miles difference between that route and the one on I-40. Doing the route on 44 to 277 to I-20 and then over, I can see where it is only 2 hours difference.

Thanks for the time and effort into the map.
soonernation
12/27/2006, 10:45 PM
Awesome man!! I thought you guys were talking about going through Dallas and then over on I-20 and I-10. I was wondering how it was only 120miles difference between that route and the one on I-40. Doing the route on 44 to 277 to I-20 and then over, I can see where it is only 2 hours difference.

Thanks for the time and effort into the map.

This route is really fairly easy. I take it from Midland, TX to the OKC and Purcell area 3-4 times a year. Once you get to I-20 it's smooth sailing all the way to Phoenix.
yermom
12/28/2006, 12:52 AM
By the way. Go through Wichita Falls if you go this way. Weather permitting of course.


http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7627/okctophoenixev1.gif

i always forget about I-44

of course i will most likely have to go through Dallas if i go the Southern route
nmsoonergirl
12/28/2006, 10:19 AM
For what it is worth, our TV stations in albuquerque are all saying that the snow will stay in northern New Mexico, leaving I40 clear and open.

Drive safely, everyone.
Huskernsooner71
12/28/2006, 10:25 AM
For what it is worth, our TV stations in albuquerque are all saying that the snow will stay in northern New Mexico, leaving I40 clear and open.

Drive safely, everyone.

Thank you for the report!!! That puts a little more confidence in me for the northern route.
OUswagger
12/28/2006, 12:53 PM
Watch for the police in Arizona, even if they think they smell or see alcohol you are screwed. Never been there other than changing planes, but my buddy SOONERSAM from Tulsa now lives in Scottsdale and is warning everyone. Becareful of black ice, NM is bad about that. Drive safely. Hope all you going do a good job representing us couch huggers in Tulsa.
yermom
12/28/2006, 01:13 PM
For what it is worth, our TV stations in albuquerque are all saying that the snow will stay in northern New Mexico, leaving I40 clear and open.

Drive safely, everyone.

they just want us to get stuck there and spend more money in NM ;)
OUHOMER
12/28/2006, 04:28 PM
For what it is worth, our TV stations in albuquerque are all saying that the snow will stay in northern New Mexico, leaving I40 clear and open.

Drive safely, everyone.


Thats FANTASTIC NEWS:D . THANKS
King Crimson
12/28/2006, 05:17 PM
it's snowing in Colorado, here's the satellite map from about 2 hours ago: storm doesn't seem to be too far south of the CO-NM border. hard to know how far it will go south (if at all) as it rolls through.

http://sirocco.accuweather.com/sat_mosaic_400x300_public/ei/iseco_.jpg
n8v_ndn
12/28/2006, 06:13 PM
We're heading out of Austin Sat. ~2am, I-10 all the way.


I think we'll try to make it to Safford AZ by Sat. evening.

We had planned on the AZ70 to 60 route into PHX, but I havent checked conditions yet. Plan B is to continue on I-10 through Tucson then PHX.

Travel safe!
jonpon
12/28/2006, 07:23 PM
We are headed out Saturday early morning. Haven't decided on the route yet but the prefered is of course the norther route. Here are the links to the NM DOT and the TX DOT for road conditions.


http://nmroads.com


http://www.dot.state.tx.us/GIS/HCRS_main/viewer.htm


Boomer Sooner c'ya guys at the game.
Huskernsooner71
12/29/2006, 12:48 AM
Alright people near Amarillo or Albuquerque or anywhere along I-40, Anyone have some updates for us drivers. I understand its a little hairy in NM but Texas wont get anything til tomorrow night. What are the driving conditions like; what are the local weather stations saying???

Any help would be awesome. BOOMER SOONER!
King Crimson
12/29/2006, 12:49 AM
it's snowing in Colorado, here's the satellite map from about 2 hours ago: storm doesn't seem to be too far south of the CO-NM border. hard to know how far it will go south (if at all) as it rolls through.

http://sirocco.accuweather.com/sat_mosaic_400x300_public/ei/iseco_.jpg

wow, this image is updating itself......as it is at 9: 30 MST......now. we've got about 5 inches since 2 PM here in Boulder.
Huskernsooner71
12/29/2006, 12:56 AM
wow, this image is updating itself......as it is at 9: 30 MST......now. we've got about 5 inches since 2 PM here in Boulder.


I-40 is now closed :(
yermom
12/29/2006, 01:27 AM
I-40 is now closed :(

um, crap http://nmroads.com/icons/closure.gif means "closure"

http://nmroads.com/primary/images/all/statewide.gif

i think this image updates as well
OUHOMER
12/29/2006, 06:15 AM
i guess i looking at the southern route AGAIN. Maybe it will be all open tomorrow
Sooner_Havok
12/29/2006, 08:56 AM
I hope I-40 opens before tomorrow, I really don't want to take the southern route.
Flagstaffsooner
12/29/2006, 09:36 AM
Northern Arizona is slicker than owl snot right right now.
Sooner_Havok
12/29/2006, 09:37 AM
Northern Arizona is slicker than owl snot right right now.

Well, El Paso here I come :( :(
Flagstaffsooner
12/29/2006, 11:08 AM
Well, El Paso here I come :( :(Y ou can stop and get some pueta.:D
Sooner_Havok
12/29/2006, 11:30 AM
Y ou can stop and get some pueta.:D

From there...:eek:
nmsoonergirl
12/29/2006, 01:02 PM
Still snowing here in ABQ (stupid wrong forcast people), not sure when it is going to stop. 1,000 people are stuck at Clines Corners waiting until I40 opens. If you are leaving today or tomorrow, sounds like the southern route would be the best bet....
Sooner_Havok
12/29/2006, 01:23 PM
Thanks, I will be leaving around 10pm tomorrow night so...
nmsoonergirl
12/29/2006, 02:04 PM
Thanks, I will be leaving around 10pm tomorrow night so...

Things could be clear by then, (snow doesn't stick around long here), but I have NO idea how hard the flagstaff area is being hit.
OUHOMER
12/29/2006, 05:52 PM
yep El paso for me too. We are leaving at about 0800 am. probly stop in Tucson for the night and than on in sunday to PHX
jonpon
12/29/2006, 06:25 PM
We have also decided to go to El Paso, the drive sucks but there is no way im going to trudge through NM at 30-40mph aroud the closed portion of I-40. We are headed out at 4am tomorrow I expect to see some flags on my way.

Boomer Sooner
bonkuba
12/29/2006, 11:16 PM
We have also decided to go to El Paso, the drive sucks but there is no way im going to trudge through NM at 30-40mph aroud the closed portion of I-40. We are headed out at 4am tomorrow I expect to see some flags on my way.

Boomer Sooner

We are spending the night in a KOA about 100 miles outside of Phoenix tonight. We will be the one with the OU helmet stickers and OU "everything" all over the 5th wheel RV.

We live in Ardmore....went the Southern route due to the weather....will only add about 50 miles.

BOOMER SOONER!!!
oklaclarinet
12/30/2006, 12:24 AM
If you are departing from the OKC area, you don't have to take the extreme southern route to avoid the snow. Take I-40 to Amarillo, then head south on I-27. At Canyon take US 60 to Clovis, and from there take US 70 down to Las Cruces. From there take I-10 to Phoenix. All the roads are clear that way, and the route is almost as short as it would be taking I-40 to Flagstaff and south. My dad made it as far as Las Cruces today and said that there weren't any problems on that path.
spatton713
12/30/2006, 01:10 AM
hes right I live in canyon i-40's closed west of amarillo and its about to get bad here in canyon and amarillo. I-40 to 27 to 60 is the best route, none of the roads are closed and should be clear
yermom
12/30/2006, 05:30 AM
other than some rain the route through Wichita Falls to I-20/I-10 was clear

~100 extra miles wasn't too bad, but Hwy 277 kinda sucks, once you get to the Interstates it's good

long damn day of driving though
OUHOMER
12/30/2006, 07:12 AM
Whats wrong with 277 and how lond did it take you. I will be leaving in a couple of hours.
Flagstaffsooner
12/30/2006, 08:10 AM
ABQ had 13.5" of snow yesterday.
yermom
12/30/2006, 01:34 PM
Whats wrong with 277 and how lond did it take you. I will be leaving in a couple of hours.

nothing serious, just not a very large highway

sorry for the delay in posting ;)
Huskernsooner71
12/30/2006, 10:38 PM
WE ARRIVED!!! It only took us 18 hours but we are here. My friends didnt want to listen to me about taking I-20 and I-10 so we tried ALLLLLL the northern routes and they were ALL CLOSED. I-40, 60, 82, you name it we tried it.

I hope I gain back feeling in my legs before the game.

BOOMER SOONER!
OUFAN29
12/30/2006, 10:42 PM
WE ARRIVED!!! It only took us 18 hours but we are here. My friends didnt want to listen to me about taking I-20 and I-10 so we tried ALLLLLL the northern routes and they were ALL CLOSED. I-40, 60, 82, you name it we tried it.

I hope I gain back feeling in my legs before the game.

BOOMER SOONER!


Glad you made it. I was in El Paso for the Sun Bowl yesterday and many of the flights to ABQ were cancelled. Southwest was scrambling.