Driving to LV from Phoenix

I moved to Arizona about 3 months ago, and last month I used the Google directions to make my initial drive to Las Vegas.

According to their directions, I took U.S. 60 (Grand Ave.) off of the I-17 exit just north of downtown. I can't believe this was the best route. It seems like there were traffic lights every mile or so, and it got worst when I was in Peoria and Sun City. Only after Sun City does the highway feel like a freeway.

Is taking I-17 up to Flagstaff, then use I-40 to Kingman, a better way?

I did the trip ~1990 and that was the route we took to Vegas with a stop at Sedona and the Grand Canyon. I think we took the other way back which was faster - but I'm sure there was less traffic back then!

Feel free to pm for specific directions. Next time, take I 17 north to the Carefree Highway, AZ 74. It ends at AZ 93 just outside Wickenburg. Unless you live in the NW Valley, you want to avoid Grand Ave.

From my home in north Phoenix, near the 51 and 101, the drive is about 4.5 hours.

I take the route like Miss7777. I-17 North to AZ-74 West (Carefree Hwy) to AZ-93 North. Take 93 all the way to Las Vegas.
I live in South Jersey but visit my sister in Phoenix. I always combine a Las Vegas trip with a visit to her. Sometimes I drive PHX to LV, sometimes I drive LV to PHX.