Info on route from WA to AZ with trailer

[4Runner4TW]

Long story short but I am moving back to Sedona Arizona in mid November from Seattle. My rig is a 1999 3.4L auto 4x4 with just under 190,000 miles. The trailer will be a 6x12 U Haul closed trailer. Mechanically the truck is ready to go. I'm just unsure about my intended route.

I just did this drive last December, same set up without any issue. I took I-10 to I-5 to Seattle. This time I'm thinking of taking I-90 to I-82 to connect to I-84 to I-15 in Utah then down into Northern AZ.

Can any locals give me informtion on the parts of this route that you may know. Taking the I-5 route had some really intense grades from Nor Cal to Oregon. I want to see a new part of the country and maybe hit a few parks a long the way. I will also have a follow vehicle which makes it a bit less stressful if I find myself needing help or for using to get to whatever park we may want to go to.

 

[dsfra]

The wife and I have driven Seattle to Moab / Southern Utah / Arizona maybe 8 or 10 times over the past 15 years or so for camping and hiking, most recently in May of last year with a trailer. With the I-90, I-82, I-84, I-15 route, the main climbs are the short but steep Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 about 50 miles east of Seattle, Manastash Ridge from Ellensburg to Yakima on I-82, and Deadman's Pass just east of Pendleton on I-84. There is also a long twisty downhill run down into Ontario. Once you're into Idaho it's all relatively level all the way from there. You might consider heading down I-5 from Seattle to Portland and then east on I-84 along the Columbia Gorge - no big sustained grades, good scenery and waterfall hikes, and avoiding the Snoqualmie and Manastash Ridge grades.

In Utah, would recommend jumping off of I-15 onto Highways 17 and 9 and hitting Zion N.P., then continue on 9 to Mt. Carmel Junction, then 89 / 89A to Flagstaff and Sedona.

Or even better - it you have time to spare - take I-70 east to Moab, hit Arches and Canyonlands N.P.s, then 191, 163 Monument Valley, 160, and 89 to Flagstaff. If you've never done this route here's your chance.

Enjoy the Red Rocks!