Cross country drive info

[Wygate]

My family and I are moving from the Norfolk, VA area to the North western corner of OR (Mid June). I plan on starting on I64 to I70 then on to Denver. This is where I am not sure witch way to go, north to I80 or I70 on to UT, then north to I84. What is the most senic/ best drive, I will have a slide in camper and about 10k on the trailer. I don't realy have time to take the non interstates as I have to meet the movers on a date they see fit, but am willing to listen.

Thanks

 

[TLane]

I70 through Denver and west is probably the most scenic, but also the most traffic and the most mountain passes.

I'd take I25 North of Denver to I80. If you want, you can take I25 North a ways then take the Fort Collins (Co 14) exit to US 287; it meets up with I80 in Rawlins, Wy. I've towed through there with my travel trailer and 287 is an easy tow. Co 14 does take you through the edge of Fort Collins, but it isn't bad. It cuts off quite a few miles compared with going straight up to Cheyenne.

If you do take I25 North of Denver, I recommend you take the E470 toll road around the North side of Denver. It runs from I70 up to I25, and it's a lot easier drive than going on into Denver. It is a toll, and I think it runs around $12 if you're towing a trailer. But well worth it, in my opinion. When I go through Denver, I usually come up 287 from Texas, get on I70 at Limon, then stop at the Flying J in Denver. The Flying J is on I70 just West of the E470 toll. You can take the street the Flying J is on straight North and then catch the toll road. There's also a brand new Flying J in Limon, and one in Cheyenne and one in Rawlins. They've been pretty good places for me to stop in the past in get fuel. They have "RV" lanes for diesel which are easier to get to than the car pumps. They can be crowded sometimes, however.

At Rawlins, I usually continue on US287 to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks; I understand you may not have time but if you have any way possible I'd make a stop there. You can exit south out of Jackson, Wy and head over to Idaho Falls to get back on your way.

Enjoy the trip, be safe, and good luck!

 

[cojhl2]

Another route I've taken with a Semi and I like it better is go N on I29 out of KC and pick up I80. it always seemed to me NE was a nicer trip than thru KS.

When you get just inside UT hang a right on I84 and stay on it until you get to OR. You can't miss it!!

One thing surprising is that 287 route out of Ft Collins TLANE discussed is that it is only 7mi further thru Cheyenne. I looked that up with MS Streets and Tips once as I did not like all that tangle in Ft Collins.

Good luck with your trip. Be sure and keep fueled up, there are lots of miles between truck stops in some of these Western states. On WY-I80 there is a major Truck stop every 100 mi. pull in and fuel.

You will run into lots of wind especially in KS should you take that route so be careful with a trailer.

Welcome to the West, but don't tell your friends about it!!

 

[Wygate]

cojhl2,

I may be close to GVWR/GVAW on the trailer, last time I went through NE ALL trucks with trailers had to pull through the scales (weighed combined and trailer only), I dont want any extra attention if I am close, Any thoughts

 

[BSeyler]

Wygate,

Since you are pulling a trailer, I'd look at heading north on I-29 at Kansas City. You can pick up Highway 2 at Percival, IA and follow it to I-80 at Lincoln, NE. There is a scale around Nebraska City. I've been across it with my gooseneck flatbed and a stock trailer several times and have always gotten a green light. (Some will tell you not to stop because you are private - the sign says all pickups with trailers must scale, RVs exempt. It only takes a couple of minutes, but you make your own decision. I have a CDL and it's hard for me to say I don't know the rules. If you hit it at the right time of day, it's closed, anyway. ) I always pack as much fuel as I can in at Rockport, MO - Nebraska will rob you on fuel.

The bad thing about staying on 70 to Denver is that you will have a pretty hard pull from Ft. Collins on either I-25 or US 287 getting into Wyoming. 287 is 2 lane and heavily traveled, also. The I-80 route across Nebraska is an easier pull, depending on wind. You still have to climb to about 8000' between Cheyenne and Laramie, but it's not bad - you'll already be 6000' at Cheyenne. Just something to think about.

Bud

 

[cojhl2]

cojhl2,
I may be close to GVWR/GVAW on the trailer, last time I went through NE ALL trucks with trailers had to pull through the scales (weighed combined and trailer only), I dont want any extra attention if I am close, Any thoughts

You know Wygate I don't honestly know about private rigs with trailers, semi combinations there is no choice so I have never paid attention. I do know however once I came thru NE with a U-haul F600 towing a pickup on a dolly and the only scale open was just W of Omaha, at which I stopped. The scale man disgustingly motioned me on!!!!!

All other times thru these states if it wasn't a Semi I had either a pickup only and a few times a pickup with a U-haul cargo trailer and I never stop.

So with all that useless info I guess you still don't know. .

I think BSeyler has better info in this regard.

 

[BSeyler]

cojhl2,

I guess I didn't read your post closely enough, so most everything I said was just a repeat of what you said. My wife says I do that a lot...

Bud

 

[Wygate]

Thanks guys,

I was very surprized I had to stop, they even made me pull ahead to weigh the trailer, then waved me on, it has been about 6 years now, who knows what has changed. Your insight is helpfull.

Thanks

Jay

 

[cojhl2]

cojhl2,



I guess I didn't read your post closely enough, so most everything I said was just a repeat of what you said. My wife says I do that a lot...



Bud

Hi Bud

Me too,, not an issue. I was pleased you added that about 287. I thought it was multilane by now. i was on it about 8yrs ago and it seemed very slow to me. Thats why I researched the Cheyenne route and found it only 7mi further(MS Streets and Tips).



But regardless for traveling E to W I70 is not a good choice because 1) KS is so darn windy, and 2) it is hard to get back up to I80 once W of KC 3) Denver is a disaster to get past, although as TLane says the 470 Beltline has helped.



Last fall for the first time I brought I70 E dropping down from I84 to I15 to Provo then across on US6. That is a nice drive but I only had a PU.



Thats my idea anyway...



John

 

[RVTRKN]

On I-70, between Grand Junction Co. and Utah where the 70 ends at the 15, make sure you bring a camera and some cash for the indians selling cool things at the scenic stops. They got about $400. 00 of my money last time I drove it.



Around every corner is another fantastic view, and stop off at the bad lands rest stop. The only negative, is the climb/pass out of Green river just before the best views. You will skirt the northern side of Zion National Park if you chose that route.