3/18 through i-40 in AZ not feasible?

Question

Planning a drive to Albuquerque from Los Angeles on march 18th but I’m seeing road closures on the Williams and Flagstaff area on i-40. Should I just take a detour on i-10 or something? I was kind of hoping to visit meteor crater and petrified np along i-40 but it doesn’t seem like a good idea anymore?

Answer

Driving from Los Angeles to Albuquerque via I-40 through northern Arizona in mid-March can be challenging if there are road closures near Williams and Flagstaff. Snow, ice, or maintenance work often affects this stretch, especially at higher elevations like the San Francisco Peaks and around Flagstaff.

If I-40 is partially or fully closed, you have a few options:

Option 1 – Wait and monitor closures: Check the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) website or their real-time map for updates. Sometimes closures are temporary or lifted during the day.
Option 2 – Take a southern detour on I-10: This adds significant mileage (roughly 150–200 miles extra) but avoids the high-elevation winter hazards. You could drive from Los Angeles → Phoenix → Albuquerque. This route bypasses Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest NP.
Option 3 – Alternate scenic northern route: If partial closures allow, consider detouring through Sedona or Flagstaff via US-89 and AZ-64. This is more complex and requires checking each segment for closures but can allow you to still visit Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest NP.

Regarding your points of interest:

Meteor Crater: Located east of Flagstaff on I-40. If I-40 is closed near Flagstaff, access may be difficult or require backtracking.
Petrified Forest National Park: Accessed from I-40 east of Holbrook. If you can’t safely reach Flagstaff, Holbrook may also be impacted. The park is open year-round, but road closures nearby can prevent entry.

Recommendation: For March 18, prioritize safety over sightseeing. If closures persist, taking I-10 through southern Arizona is the safest option. If you are set on northern Arizona highlights, monitor real-time ADOT updates in the morning and have a backup route ready.

In summary, I-40 in northern Arizona can be unpredictable in mid-March due to snow and ice. Detouring via I-10 is feasible though longer, while northern scenic stops like Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest may need to be skipped unless you get real-time confirmation that the route is open.

3/18 through i-40 in AZ not feasible?

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