Phoenix - Advice

Best advice is to get out of Phoenix! I can't think of a single time I have driven through it without getting caught in a traffic jam. Think mini LA only with less informative street signs.

Having said that, look for a place with easy access to the light rail system. Whenever I go up for a concert or something in downtown Phoenix I stay at one of the hotels near the airport and catch the train in, makes life much better!

For driving to Tucson you have two choices - Interstate 10 is a fairly straight shot but traffic can get crazy as there is a lot of commuter traffic between the two cities and all the other smaller towns in between. If you want to do the back road thing take state route 60 heading east towards Apache Junction. You can either take 79 towards Tucson and then pick up 77, or you can stay on 60 all the way to Globe picking up 77 there. Takes a bit longer but not as much traffic and way more interesting stuff to look at and take pictures of than the miles and miles of cotton farms along I-10. Even more so if you go all the way up into Globe.

In Tucson be sure to check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum if you like doing nature photography.

Thanks, David. This is helpful and what I was looking for.
"Having said that, look for a place with easy access to the light rail system. Whenever I go up for a concert or something in downtown Phoenix I stay at one of the hotels near the airport and catch the train in, makes life much better! "

We have a list of things to do and places to go and see a mile long in and around Tucson, and yes, the Desert Museum is at the top of the list.

Downtown Phoenix, where the light rail is, isn't very photographically friendly...just a big, overgrown city.....the best shots will be further north in cave creek.
There's nothing wrong with taking I10 from Phoenix to Tucson...it's about 90 miles and certainly not worth taking back roads....I drive it all the time...just avoid rush hours ( which are a tad earlier in AZ)

I'd love to meet up if I am here over the weekend ( I'm usually in Phoenix! lol)
Send me a pm with your private e mail and I'll send you my cell hone number....
Woo hoo!!
BTW, sprig came really early this year...everything is blooming!
Travel safely,Nikki!

So what area would you recommend for a hotel, Marlene. Do you agree that "near the airport" is good? I've looked at maps and have tons but I really don't know where to start. Will send you a message, too.

Hotels along the freeways I10 or I17 or route 60 will be way cheaper...we are in season now but you can get a suite type room with minikitchen/bar set up and/or breakfast that won't break the bank.
I'd check out the Tempe area..near the university so it is far safer than downtown. CHandler too.... still accessible to freeways to get you where you want to go. You don't want to be staying downtown....it's a real big city city.