Anyone from AZ/PHX wanna shed some light on the best route for me to take? I'm going to be driving from Apache Junction (just outside PHX) to Portland. Mapquest has me going out I-10, through LA and up I-5. Looking at the map I'm wondering if I'd be better served with one of these options:

#1 - Up I-17 to Flagstaff then out I-40.

#2 - SR-60 (does it become SR-93 at some point?) to I-40. This route looks more direct, but I don't know if it'll be quicker. I'm assuming it's a two-lane. Are there lots of speed zones and traffic lights?

I'm pondering these two routes as a way to circumnavigate LA. Or would it just be quicker to go the way Mapquest suggests?

I think it all depends on what you are looking to do. If it's a drive up the pch then head into Cali and on up the coast. On the other hand, if you want to avoid the traffic congestion in LA, then I personally would opt for going through Flagstaff on I40. Traffic through Flag on I40 is generally low midweek, with the weekends having higher traffic, due to people escaping from the heat down here(PHX). It's a pleasant drive with some nice high desert views. And what with the rainfall that we've had lately, there may be some flowers/cacti in bloom. I always love to watch all the Saguaros fly by the windows.
Any other AZ peeps want to chime in?

Well I'm back - LONG drive!
I ended up taking I-10, then went north along the Colorado through Lake Havasu, and then into CA on I-40. Wasn't too bad. And I actually made it to S7 about a half-hour before they closed! Met bannedindc - cool guy! Ended up going all the way up to Corning on the first day, which made Day 2 a breeze! But I'm exhausted now. And I gotta drive up to Omak, WA (almost to Canada) on Friday.

a true lover´s story!