Is It Relatively Safe?

[genesis273]

Last year my wife and I were in Las Vegas and made a trip to the Grand Canyon by going north from Williams, AZ straight to the canyon.

In two week, my wife and 20 year old daughter are flying to Vegas alone. While there, my wife wants to rent a car and take my daughter the same route to see the canyon since this is my daughters first trip. I recall that ride was pretty desolate for a large portion of the drive. Do you guys who know that area think it is safe for two women to travel alone? I'm not feeling too comfortable about this, worried about car trouble or anything else. She does always carry a .45 ACP for protection, but if their car breaks down, they're screwed. Also, some of the drive will be at night.

Am I worrying for nothing?

 

[LopeHunter]

Not sure why a remote area near Grand Canyon is any different than a remote area in northern Utah or central Wyoming or northern Kansas. Break down and you could walk for miles without having a friendly automobile pass.

Cell coverage can be spotty to non-existent in remote areas out West. You can arrange for a satellite phone or one of the texting satellite solutions for your family to use when one or more are headed off the grid for hunting or vacation.

 

[Biscuit Hunter]

If it were me, I'd worry about them while they were in Vegas-- that place is crazy.

As far as cell service goes, if they stick to the main highways and interstates, I'd be surprised if they ever went long without it. Verizon has all of the major travel corridors well covered. In my experience, even if I'm in BFE, if I can get line of sight to high points along a highway, I'll get service.

If you and she would like for her to bring a firearm, you might want to google a phone number for AZ Department of Public Safety. They are our highway patrol/state police, and hopefully could answer any questions about legalities. I can't imagine there would be an issue. Us residents are allowed to carry-- open or concealed-- pretty much where ever we want, no permit required. I don't think our carry laws take residency into account, but it would be good to check. That ability to carry should include the national park, since Obama signed that bill a few years ago.

Long story short-- I think it's plenty safe-- especially with a .45

 

[sagebrush]

You are worrying for nothing. Good cell service along the entire route. The longest stretch without roadside services is between the state line and Kingman. There are services nearby the rest of the way, even going north from Williams to the park.

 

[genesis273]

Thanks guys! Just remember, this is from someone who lives where you can't pass one gas station without seeing the next! Also have probably watched too many movies where "two women, alone on vacation in a remote area..." <--( spoken with a movie trailer voice)

 

[MT_elk]

If you're that worried, you may consider investing in AAA or something for auto break downs.

 

[fowladdict]

For 150 bucks you can have a little more sense of security. Buy them a cell phone booster for their car. They work great.