Well it looks like Soozie and I are headed back to Tennessee, we will be driving back and here's what I need to know! We will be taking interstate 40 thru AZ, NM, OKLA, and so on, and I know every year is different but what could we expect in weather leaving maybe around the middle of Dec. Calif to Ariz is a piece of cake it's the rest of the trip I need help with.
Thanks in advance Don
I've taken that trip many times and at several different times of the year. Unfortunately though, it was never on a bike. I'll try to help...
- Arizona... Kingman has a great Cracker Barrel, north of the highway, right in the center of town, next to the K-Mart. Don't eat at the Petro truckstop on the west end of town... it's nasty.
Flagstaff, expect cold. Drastic changes there from the lower elevations. Absolutely beautiful there, but it can get cold.
Try not to stay the night in Winslow. They have a lot of vagrants, with sticky fingers.
- New Mexico... west and east of Albuquerque can be windy, and sometimes chilly. There's a cool little casino about 15-20 miles on the west side of Albuquerque. Awesome buffet, and it's only like $8. It's on the south side of the interstate, you'll see it before the exit when you're headed east. I just can't remember the name of it right now.
-Texas panhandle... more wind, almost guaranteed. When you come into Amarillo, resist the urge to order a steak at the Big Texan (north side of the interstate, headed east) Their other food is good, but their "world famous" steaks, well, suck. There's a good Sonic across the street from Sam's Club, it'll be on the south side of the highway, bout half-way through town. Oh yeah, pretty cool giant white cross on the south side of the highway, just before you cruise into Amarillo. And there's more wind all the way to the O border.
- Oklahoma... more wind into Oklahoma City. On the north side of the interstate, as you head into Oklahoma City, is a cool HD dealer. There's a lot of stores and restuarants at that exit too. I'll suggest the Texas Roadhouse near the HD dealer, just a block or so away. Oklahoma City traffic can get a little crazy at rush hour, it's because of the interchange. The wind's usually not as bad once you get east of OKC.
Once you cross into Arkansas, it's pretty nice riding. Bad news is... you can get ice. the rest of the trip is pretty easy from here, but the temps may start dropping.
Enjoy the ride, take a lot of pics, and be sure to share them with us! Hope this helps!