Spring break trip from Cleveland to Phoenix

[mwnahas]

I'm planning a bit of a trip. Never been this way before, wouldn't mind some advice.

Going from Cleveland to Nashville (mad dash south first.)
Then to Memphis, Dallas/Fort Worth, Big Spring.
Then either north west, west or south west.
Go through Roswell rt 380 (alien burger?)
or Carlsbad rt180 (Guadalupe mt national park?)
or Rt 20 to Rt 10 (??)
All options would end up in Las Curces, and on into Tucson and Phoenix.
Gonna take a train ride in Williams and spend the night at the Grand Canyon,
Then back to Phoenix before we head back, probably a more northern route, going to rt 40 east.
Any must sees along the way? Things to avoid?
Thanks in Advance!

[robasay]

I would go from Roswell to Soccoro NM. Then from Soccoro to Springerville via the Plains of St. Augestine. The Radio Telescopes are there in the huge valley!!! From Springerville to Show Low then to Globe via the twisty curve road through Salt River Canyon. Looks like a miniature Grand Canyon. Globe to Phoenix. It is a good two lane highway. But need to watch out for the Elk from Soccoro to Salt River Canyon.