Planning on traveling from Portland to Denver

[hammersley]

I've driven this route in the summer - but am planning on going to Denver the middle of March. Excluding the southern route - which route would have the least chance of bad road. For example I think I almost have to go through SLC, and would usually consider running southern Wy to Cheyenne and down to Denver. In the summer, I'd go south of SLC, head over the mountains through Price, over to Gunnison and over the Rockies through the General's Tunnel to Denver. But I think that route would probably have to much of a chance of bad road that time of year Now I know this all depends on what the weather is like. Suggestions????

 

[jpolston]

My GPS software shows I84 east thru Boise, Id into Utah, then I80 to Cheyenne then I25 south to Denver as the quickest route.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Go around Elk Mountaion if there is a storm

Take old Hwy 30 out of Laramie, it pretty much keeps you down by the river and not out where all of the accidents are.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Keep this coming

I'm planning a trip in July going from OKC Ok. to Portland Or. and was looking for the best routes for viewing and options? Been through Colorado on 70 before but that was (ouch) 18 years ago when I was a junior in H. S. Thanks for any opinions.



Jim

 

[BigMike]

JT, You probably ought to drive north through Montana so you can get some first hand experience at driving in the snow.

 

[SLindblom]

Agree with Steve

Whole heartedly agree with Steve, if there is a storm, or has been one in the past 2 days, get off I80 at Walcott, Wy and take US 30 around Elk mountain back to Laramie. A few miles further, but well worth it. Elk Mtn almost always has high winds and not fun when pulling a trailer. Depending on how you feel, US 287 from Laramie to Fort Collins is much prettier than running to Cheyenne, but is mostly 2 lane. I80 to I25 is about 15-20 miles further, but you can run 75 the whole way. Hard pull out of Laramie no matter which way you go, but the rest is all down hill.



Are you pulling a trailer on this trip??

 

[SLindblom]

shoulda read more

The next post said you were going solo. The route through Price, Ut and I 70 would be fine too, only 3 passes that route. Better chance of no wind to bother you on I-70.

Why not go out one way and return the other? Change of scenery, weather permitting, of course.



The cheapest fuel for your trip will be in Wyoming, and it gets cheaper as you go east, with Cheyenne (Flying J) probably being the cheapest (it will be 4 or 5 cents cheaper than the Flying J in Evanston).

Have a safe trip, Scott

 

[clanders]

I've driven both routes from SLC to denver I-80 and I-70 in the winter time, the I-80 route to laramie is quicker but if the weather is bad in wyoming I-80 is a scary drive. Either way you choose you should have no problems they are usually pretty good with keeping the roads in exellent shape, usually. good luck .