Car getting real hot....

The infrared thermometer is a good idea but the car will tell you if it is hot.is it pinging? does it "diesel" when you shut it off? etc. Im sure this has all been said but yeah the cheap stuff, a coolant flush is there sludge in the block and radiator?, then thermostat, then cap then shroud..after that I'd be suspecting the water pump itself, sometimes they go bad and you wont know unless you pull it. Only so much it can be really. OP you said it stays cool going down the road ,have you considered 'electric fans"?