Planning trip Baltimore to Las Vegas

[RKaniefski]

Need some help on planning a trip this fall from north of Baltimore to Las Vegas. I will be pulling a 31 ft. 5ver with my 03 dually. Has anyone made this trip from the east coast to Vegas pulling a trailer. I was wondering if I should take I-40 or I-70 west. Does either route have less mountains than the other ? In your opinion is one better than the other ? Any opinions will be appreciated. Any reason to take generators, I have two Honda EU2000i in- case I need to sleep over at wally world. Thanks.

 

[RichardAndrews]

I think that I 40 would be your best bet, straight thru to Kingman AZ then catch the turn to Vegas Just my thought. WILDMAN

 

[jfrow2]

Speaking from my experience in the West, if you want a route with little mountains, go I-40.



If you want a more senic route and don't mind the passes of Colorado, go I-70. Especially if you go in the fall, the leaves of the aspens in CO are awesome.



The "Mountain Pass Book," available at Camping World and other RV places describes road grades on all major roads and would help you make up your mind.

 

[JGheen]

I agree, I-70 can get pretty windy and long through Colorado. Just run the I-40 through Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona is where you want to make the turn north to Vegas as Wildman said. I have made the trip from Houston to Monterey, CA a bunch of times and it took me about 48 hours driving straight through one time. Needed much sleep after that though. I-40 is pretty flat and goes real quick.

 

[bombero]

If you have never been out west it dosent matter which way you come. Just stop and smell the roses!!!!

 

[MLee]

BRING YOUR WALLET YOU WILL NEED IT!!

 

[rblomquist]

Originally posted by MLee

BRING YOUR WALLET YOU WILL NEED IT!!

Not only bring your wallet but make sure it's full on moolah (we need the revenue for our tax base)



You may or may not want to look into going through Laughlin instead of across the dam. I haven't driven over the dam in a while but they have some major construction going on that may delay you signifcantly. Also, you'll have to deal with security inspection station and nobody can predict how lont it'll take them to inspect your 5'ver.

 

[Larry Willard]

I have done that trip towing my trailer a number of times. I 70 is the shortest route in mileage, fuel will be cheaper on I 40. If you have never driven out west I would suggest you go out one route and return the other. Also depending on how late it is getting, the weather can be a factor. There is a lot of beautiful and different scenery on each route.

Larry

 

[Detroitiron]

I've only driven I-40 and I-70 as far west as the Mississippi. I-40 has fewer and cheaper tolls, and cheaper fuel. I-70 is flatter, the majority of the time. But I-40 is only more hilly in the western part of NC. As I said, this is only as far as the Big Muddy. One word of advice: If you don't have an exhaust brake, and you're driving the Rockies and towing any TT or 5er, get one installed before you go. It's the cheapest insurance and the best peace of mind you can get. I know, they're not cheap. But IMHO, it's the one mod every towing CTD should have.

Have a great and safe trip!

Dave

 

[FDziurda]

Trip to LV

RKaniefski,

I drove to the East Coast (NC & SC) last Fall (6,700 Miles). I Left Reno on I-80 and made a side trip thru Yellowstone for 5 days, and then drove thru Wyoming back to I-80. Left I-80 near Lincoln, NE and worked my way south thru Kansas City, St Louis, Nashville, and Atlanta and finally to the Savannah, GA area. Ran into a few bad sections of road but nothing like what I went thru coming home on I-40. Eastern Arkansas and Oklahoma on I-40 were TERRIBLE!!!! From Oklahoma City west, the roads were VERY good.



You might want to consider going I-80 and cutting south in Eastern Nevada. It's 2-Lane down the east side of the state, but good road and not many big trucks. Another option might be to take I-70 across the midwest and then dropping down to I-40 in western Kansas, if you don't want to deal with the Rockies. If you like the desert, The trip thru New Mexico and Arizona is BEAUTIFUL. Painted Desert and Grand Canyon are right along the way and an absolute "Must See". The train ride from Williams , AZ is outstanding.



Any way you decide on coming, you will have a nice trip.



Best Wishes,



Frank Dz

 

[jandtjil]

I would agree with Larry, take a different route coming and going.

Maybe I-80 to I-15 on the way out (I don't remember the grades being as extreme as I-70), then I-40 going home.

I think you'll have a blast whichever route you decide.



JJ

 

[RKaniefski]

Thanks for all the info guys. I think I will take a different route going and coming back. About the exhaust brake, I would love to have one, but all I have been reading they are not approved for the 03 48re. I do not want to lose my warranty by putting on a exhaust brake. I will replace the pads and rotors instead of losing the warranty. Thanks again.