Living in Tucson means there are plenty of road trips to go on. You can travel to many beautiful cities, cultural sites and natural parks all under two hours. Take a road trip to a historic mining town like Bisbee or see one of the first Spanish missions in the small town of Tumacacori. On an extremely hot day, you can take a day trip to escape the scorching heat and cool off at Patagonia Lake.
For those who love a good road trip, Tucson and its surrounding places are perfect spots to explore. So, let’s hit the road!
Road Conditions
Road trips are adventurous, especially in Tucson. Whether you are on your way to hike a trail in Saguaro National Park or are going to see the caves in Colossal Cave Mountain Park, it is always a good idea to be prepared ahead of time for the road. Here are some road conditions you might encounter while on your road trip around Southern Arizona.
Road Closures
Although road closures can be inconvenient, they are often due to important issues that need to be addressed in order to provide a safer environment for drivers. It could be that a pothole is being fixed or construction workers are working hard to repave an old, tattered and unsafe road. Also, due to the extreme heat in Arizona, it isn’t uncommon for asphalt damage to occur. Excessive heat can soften asphalt and damage it.
In the case of an unexpected road closure, it might be best to take the next exit and take some time to reroute your trip. If there is a hotel you are checking in, call and let them know your new estimated time arrival. In any case, do not rush. Your destination will still await your safe arrival; it might just take a little extra time to get there. With many travel apps in this modern age, it should be easy to find an alternate route.
Potholes
While driving on the open road, if you spot a pothole up ahead, try and safely either move into the next open lane or safely steer around it. Potholes, if you can, are best left avoided.
What causes potholes? Potholes are caused by water that seeps into the pavement and into the soil. Over time the water underneath the asphalt freezes and expands causing the asphalt to rise up. As heavy trucks or cars pass over the weakened asphalt, it collapses and causes a hole within the pavement. The potholes can damage your tires, mess up your vehicle’s alignment or cause hidden damage by scraping the parts underneath your car.
Weather
Weather is not often a major issue when it comes to road trips around Arizona but it can be an unpredictable one. Even though the sun shines for most of the year, in certain parts, Arizona can experience heavy rainfall and snow. Here is how to prepare and handle some weather conditions you might encounter while on your road trip.
Rain
It is true that it does not rain in many parts of Arizona frequently. Although, it is also true, that when it rains it pours. So, let’s go over some ways to prepare or handle rainy or wet road situations.
If you are driving and it starts to lightly drizzle, continue to keep your eyes on the road and undistracted. The first fall of rain can make asphalt slippery. So open your window a little and enjoy that sweet smell of rain and hot concrete in.
In the case of a sudden heavy pour, it is best to not drive on the road. Heavy rainfall could cause a layer of water to build up, between the road and tires, leading to a loss of traction. This could result in your car hydroplaning. So, turn on your emergency lights, pull your vehicle over to a safe spot or on the side when you get the chance and wait it out. Also, if you plan to drive on the same road on your way back, be cautious. The heavy rain might have possibly caused some road damage like potholes or slight flooding.
Ice & Snow
Thinking of traveling to Mt. Lemmon for some winter skiing? Sounds like a great trip! If your car has a four-wheel drive, it might be a bit more fitted to drive on the snowy or icy roads. If you do not, however, it might be best to invest in some tire chains. Ice makes roads extremely slippery since the layer of ice between the pavement and car tires make it tough for your tires to grasp onto any clean pavement. So, if you must drive in icy or snowy conditions, drive slow to avoid fishtailing or sliding. In fact, if you can, it is recommended that you stay off the road until it has been de-iced with road salt.
Happy Road Trippin’
We hope that was helpful information for your next road trip! If you have questions about your own deteriorating asphalt or road pavement, feel free to give us a call. We at, Sunrise Asphalt, wish you a happy and safe road trip!
