Driving from AZ. Any tips?

[marcemc]

We will be driving from scottsdale, AZ to Disney. We've NEVER done this before, it looks like we have about 6 hours + stops.

We have 2 kiddos (3 & 6) and we are planning on leaving EARLY morning on sunday oct. 11th.

Any tips will be highly appreciated.

thanks!

 

[DangerMouse]

I don't live in AZ anymore, but all of our previous trips were taken when we lived in Phoenix. We have taken 2 different routes, but prefer taking the 10 all the way to the 57 then go south to Ball Road or Katella. It's most direct with less freeway interchanges. Others may recommend the 10 to the 60/91 interchange then to the 57, but I always found traffic through Riverside to be awful.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

We live in North Phoenix and are familiar with the drive. It normally takes us about 6 hours, including stops, but we don't stop for that long. We usually eat in Blythe. We think it's a pretty easy (boring) drive, but we do it often so we are used to it.

Our girls are 2 and 7, we usually bring them a few toys to keep them occupied and let them watch a movie if they get bored.

Not sure if that helps or not....

 

[kailuagirl]

We live on an island and the farthest thing away is less than an hour so my 2 year old had no clue what it was like to be in a car a long time. She did great in CA and our drive from DL to Vegas. And about 8 years ago we did the same thing with my 3 year old nephew and he was great also.

Here are a few suggestions: portable dvd player with several movies, some toys to play with, coloring books, stuffed animals, dolls, etc. comfly blanket, comfly clothes, lots of different snacks. I'd hold out on giving anything until they start to need it and pace it from there. Also, try to go during nap time or wake up super early when they are still sleeping and load them in the car and hope they continue to sleep in the car seats and then stop for breakfast, etc.

I hope it works out great for you. Good luck and just get there as fast as you can

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We drive from Phoenix every year to Disneyland. We take the I-10 to Beaumont/Banning where we turn on the 60. We then take the 60 to Riverside where we take the 91 into Anaheim. Since CA has completed the construction of the 60/91 interchange, it is a lot better than it used to be. We stop in the McDonald's at Quartzsite, less hassle than stopping in Blythe and the McDonald's just past Palm Springs. It's works out to be a short stop about every 2 hours.

 

[hurleysweety]

I haven't done this with young kids, but as a youth leader, I've done about a dozen trips to California from Arizona with a bus load (or two, or three...) of kids ranging in age from 11-18. Also done as a young teen back in the day.

Blythe is always a favorite place to stop because it has all the national fast food joints, but if thats not your style, there are PLENTY of places to stop when you get into California - Palm Springs/Palm Desert is great if you want to stop somewhere a little nicer and let the kiddos get out of the car for a bit. On youth trips we prefer it here because it feels less like a truck stop. We'd eat at places like subway, panda express, rubios, etc. I like to think they are a step above a mcdonalds. Not to put down mcd's, we eat there when we get to Anaheim more than I'd care to admit... Love that dollar menu!

And if you have the patience to stop for an extended period of time or love shopping, there is a FAB outlet shopping center with a lot of name brand stores - covering most anyone's favorite. I believe they are called the Cabazon outlets.

We also take the 10 to the 60/91 to the 57. Although when my parents drove as a kid, I think we took that more direct route that someone else mentioned. The drive is boring either way - nothing really to look at until you reach the 57. And then at least there are consistent buildings, houses, greenery! Although by that point I'm so anxious that everything is exciting I've personally never driven it, but DH has only complained when we drove back home late and night and he was dead tired. The next trip he got a nap in before we left and that made things 100% better!

Also, we leave at 6 AM from north phoenix, and grab chic-fil-a breakfast at the location right at the 101 and the 10. They also have a starbucks and a jamba juice and a couple fast food restaurants. Great start for the trip for us!

Expect traffic as you get nearer to Disneyland, no matter when you leave or what day it is. It sucks, but for a 6 hour drive to only have about 5.5 hours of traffic isn't bad. Also, if we leave at 6, we arrive by 11:30 am, and thats with a couple stops/bathroom breaks (we love our coffee!). We've done it on both a Thursday and Saturday. We've only ever driven back on Sundays, and its never been a big deal.

Hope that helps!

 

[marcemc]

All of your tips help. Thanks much guys!

We are actually planning on leaving around 4 a.m. so kiddos can sleep at least a couple of hours.

 

[PHXscuba]

We also live in the Phoenix area and have made this drive too many times to mention (grandparents half-hour from DLR).

I second the suggestion to stop in Quartzsite and Indio/Palm Springs areas vs. one stop in Blythe. For smaller kids, it breaks up the drive more, and I'm not a big Blythe fan.

My kids usually do pretty well the first two hours (everything's new) and the last two (more to look at in CA). It's the middle chunk that is so long and empty. That's when we usually break out the portable DVD player and a good Disney movie.

Good luck, we'll be there about the same time and crossing our fingers for pleasant weather!

PHXscuba

p.s. Tip: There is a tiny town in the middle of nowhere between Blythe and Indio called Desert Center. The tiny cafe there has a clean bathroom, one of the only restrooms in a loooong stretch of road.

 

[marcemc]

PHXscuba:

I took pleasant weather for granted!!!!

As far as I remember (lived 5 years in Southern Cali) october is nice & warm.

Have a great & safe trip.

 

[wvnative]

We're in Phoenix as well. Well, Chandler anyway. lol We normally leave at around 6 am, usually on a Thursday morning. We've taken both routes and I prefer the 10-60/91-57 now that the construction is complete. It was a breeze to get through when we went in March. Seems like traffic is really bad when we take the more direct route.

I normally travel with teenagers and during that long boring section right there in the middle, they're pretty good at breaking up the monotony with a Disney CD or I spy game. That section suuucked on our last trip. I went with a friend and she slept all the way to Palm Springs. Made me really miss the kids. lol

We normally only make a couple of stops. One to go potty at the first rest stop outside of town and then another for gas up around Indio. We don't normally really need it by then but it's a good spot to stop and stretch a bit. We're normally at the hotel around noon and in the park for lunch by 1.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[prc4prc]

We live in North Phoenix and (as far as the AZ routing) I definitely have a suggestion!

Skip I-10!

Take I-17 north to SR 74 (the Carefree highway). Go west, you'll pass Lake Pleasant, continue on SR-74 to the US 60. Take the US 60 West through Wickenburg and stay on the 60 until it dead ends on I-10 about 15 miles east of Quartzite.

This drive is much more scenic and you'll drive through some interesting little towns - like Hope, AZ and Brenda, AZ (the grammar errors on the Hope, AZ sign always amuse us as we drive by). There is hardly any traffic on this route, so you don't have to worry about getting blown over by 18 wheelers or some jerk riding your bumper. There is also much less of a chance in getting stuck in a huge traffic jam caused by an accident.

Since this route is still in the State highway system, the Highway Patrol is out and about, so you don't have to worry if you get a blow out.

We had four road trips to Disneyland last year with two toddlers. If you need to pull off the road (quick potty break) on this route - it's no big deal. I'd never pull over on I-10 unless I had a bona fide emergency.

In a nutshell, we take this route, because for us, it's quicker, shorter, prettier, safer and less stressful. You're on your own once you get into California!


Drive safe!

 

[PHXscuba]

Yeah, I guess thinking back to our last couple years spending part/all of Fall Break in Southern Cal (wedding in 07, San Diego in 08) that we have been blessed with fabulous weather in general. I guess with the last week's weather here I just despair that it will ever be cool anywhere ever again!

Plus, there's the whole when-to-wear-shorts-vs.-pants debate that time of year in CA. I think that will be the first time my kids wear long pants since about May!

I know in 2006 when we left Phoenix for Jamaica in mid-October it was still over 100 when we flew out ...

PHXscuba

 

[dizzymomx4]

We're in Phoenix as well. Well, Chandler anyway.

Hello Neighbor!! We too are in the Chandler/Gilbert area and it takes us about the same amount of time. I agree, stop other than Blythe. Either in Quartzsite or Indio to gas up, potty break and grab snacks.

It is a very long, brown dry drive but there is always so much exciterment in our car...it goes pretty fast!!

Have a safe trip

 

[karylrocks]

I'm not a big Blythe fan.

Where's that tag fairy?

My parents lived in Blythe for a little while and my mom thought for sure she had died and gone to he......

I so miss being able to jump in the car for a long weekend at Disneyland! I moved from Phoenix over 20 years ago and am now 1000 miles away. I have never tried that I-17 route but that sounds like fun - like back when I was a kid before there were all the freeways.

 

[PHXscuba]

I'm sure Blythe must have SOME charms, but I haven't found any. Maybe the tag fairy knows some ...

On one trip back from a wedding in So. CA 10 years ago, our alternator went out and we literally coasted off the freeway into Blythe. On an August Sunday, late afternoon, with no replacement in town. We were stuck overnight in a cruddy motel with our 6-WEEK-old and 3-year-old until my FIL drove in the next day from Phoenix to tow us back. Ever since I try to avoid Blythe if at all possible on the drive.

PHXscuba

 

[kcchica]

Anyone recommend a good place to stay overnight.. half way in between? We are coming from Tucson, so it adds another 90 minutes I believe... thinking maybe leaving in teh evening one night... staying somewhere cheap and then finishing up the drive the next morning..

thoughts?

 

[disneynerd420]

We will be driving from scottsdale, AZ to Disney. We've NEVER done this before, it looks like we have about 6 hours + stops.

We have 2 kiddos (3 & 6) and we are planning on leaving EARLY morning on sunday oct. 11th.

Any tips will be highly appreciated.

thanks!

I recommend stoping in Cabazon to see the dinosaurs and have breakfast at the Wheel inn right next door. The food is so typical road side diner. I love it. Their pie is supposed to be amazing but I have never tried it.

There are pictures of the dinos in my june trip report

 

[rangermom]

Sorry to go a little of course, but I was wondering what the best route was from the South Rim at Grand Canyon.We are moving there in a week.We have driven from TX in 2007 and went through Phoenix via I-10. Is this the route we should take? Thanks!

 

[darph nader]

Anyone recommend a good place to stay overnight.. half way in between? We are coming from Tucson, so it adds another 90 minutes I believe... thinking maybe leaving in teh evening one night... staying somewhere cheap and then finishing up the drive the next morning..

thoughts?

You must be leaving late in the day. Latest we ever left Tucson was 13:00hrs,(thanks alot wife's boss),got there by 9:30 that night. You might want to stop in Yuma or El Centro though.

 

[marcemc]

I recommend stoping in Cabazon to see the dinosaurs and have breakfast at the Wheel inn right next door. The food is so typical road side diner. I love it. Their pie is supposed to be amazing but I have never tried it.

There are pictures of the dinos in my june trip report

I checked you trip report!! Gotta love the pics of the dinosaurs!!
The kids will love that. Thanks for the tip!