What is I-70 like?

[MABurns]

I know, dumb question... .



I have traveled west on I-80, I-90, I-10 and I-40 but never on I-70 west of Denver.



Opinions please what is 1-70 like (towing a large fiver) from Denver West to I-15 and Vegas?

 

[JApol]

I had a 02 V-8 stick the last time I did that strech and I was in 3rd most of the way up with it floored and getting somewhere slowly. I think my speed was about 35. On the way know I just put it in neutral and let it coast, it coasted about 90 all the way down the mountain. All that was in the truck was me and a bag. I know that out CTD's are a little differant in the power department than gassers.

 

[dmhollister]

two major mountain passes in colorado but the road is plenty big enough and has great views compared to I-80. I pulled vail pass pulling the jeep to moab at about 60 up and down about 45 with the overdrive off. It may take you longer if you want to stop and see the sights.

 

[RDusch]

I 70 west of Denver to I 15 is probably the most senic road in the country, there are some long steep grades but if you take your time and enjoy the ride it's well worth it.



I've driven it every year for the last 7 years, always towing something.



Rick

 

[WStephens]

I have been that way with my 90 F250 with the 7. 3 IDI and 5 speed emty it would not do the speed limit in OD. I took the 99 CTD East on 70 but it had a bad thermistat so I had to keep pulling over to let it cool down pulling my Land Cruiser but limpted into Denver to get the truck fixed. You should not have any trouble with the grade just watch out for other drivers it can get conjested at times. I cant wait to see how my new truck takes I70 through Colorado. It is a different view than I80 throught Wyoming but I would not say it is better just depends on what you like, but then again being from Wyoming I might be a little biased.

 

[GAmes]

You will have lots of time to enjoy the scenery going up and hope you have an exhaust brake going down.

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

If you can, you may want to avoid Westbound out of Denver on Fridays and Eastbound to Denver on Sunday PM in the Summer. In Winter, avoid weekends all together due to ski traffic. I pull tandem through the mountains regularly. You won't have any trouble.

 

[BarryG]

Just west of Denver it is a good grade but should be no problem. Next you have the grade going up from Georgetown to the Eisenhower tunnel. Again should be no problem. The steepest stretch is from Georgetown to Silver Plume only a couple miles then it gets a better up to the tunnel. Then the next thing is Vail pass. Going east seems to be easier than going west but again you should have no problems. After that it is pretty much all downhill elevation wise (not to say there arent any hills) until you get to Grand Junction. Between Grand Junction and just west of the state line you will find a few good hills but they are relatively short. Once you get to Green River just west of there you have to climb up the San Rafeal Swell and that is a bit steep and you will not be going up that at 75 nor would you want to pulling a fiver. Make sure and keep your eyes on the road through that stretch as it has a couple twisty curveys in it and the scenery is just great easy to get distracted. All in all it is an easy drive. If you have an exhaust brake you will want to use it. I personally prefer the scenery of 1-70 to that of 80 but both are nice. As mentioned above if you can avoid friday night west out of Denver do it to save with congestion in the warm months and the sat and sunday mornings during ski season. Going east avoid sunday late afternoon all the time if possible and sat late afternoon during ski season. Also once you hit Green River Utah it is over 100 miles to the next fuel station(or anything else for that matter) in Richmond or Salina cant remember which comes first

 

[klenger]

I've bicycled all of I-70 from Denver, over Loveland Pass and Vail Pass, to Glenwood Springs (not all in the same day). If I can do that, you can certainly get a CTD over the same road. I miss Colorado.

 

[fkovalski]

Dittos on what FF 1211 & Barry said. The only thing I can add is that if you are not familiar with the road, I would suggest not driving it at night.

 

[WyoJim]

Doesn't any one know what the percent grade numbers are on the hills on this stretch of I-70?

 

[fkovalski]

Doesn't any one know what the percent grade numbers are on the hills on this stretch of I-70?

Good question!! I don't usually pay attention since I don't tow all that much. I did sent an e-mail to CDOT asking this question... will post any info that I hear back.



Here is a link for raod info: CDOT Road Info

 

[BarryG]

I think on 70 in Colorado they are not more than 6-7% (at least according to the signs when you are heading down the passes). That stretch outside of Green River is a little higher I believe.

 

[klenger]

I'm pretty sure 7% is the max. Most of it is considerably less.

 

[JayWm]

I went through that way last Sept enroute to Topeka, KS towing a 9,000lb box trailer plus race gear in the truck. I would estimate my gross weight at approx 17,000lbs and had no problems climbing any of the grades. I was able to maintain 6th on alot of the climbs and never had to go lower than 5th to maintain 60-65mph while climbing. Coming down the grades an exhaust brake would be nice, but I just geared down a bit and cycled my braking to maintain a controlled speed down the hills. It's a very pretty drive. All this is on a bone stock 05 3500.

 

[GerryDrake]

Book with it all

If you go to Amazon, or your favorite, search for 'Mountain Directory West' and you will find a VERY useful, inexpensive ($9. 72) paper bound book that lists all of the passes on major and even less well traveled roads. I wouldn't travel without it and the companion 'East' version. . Gives you the grade, length, curves, locations of emergency run-out lanes for semis, ... has it all.

 

[RBrosel]

Just came back I 70 fro Moab. Towed a 27' 5ver W 05 cummins auto. Tow haul feature is great, if you slow down to about 55 and engage the cruise it downshifts itself and required very little brake. I was a little dissapointed as the road was fairly rough but very scenic. Don't get to low on fuel as it is semi scarce.

 

[HDaniel]

If you're going to Vegas via 70/15 then the stretch through AZ is probably the longest... . I believe. I have never towed anything through there, just the dirtbike in the bed, but it's not that bad. Have fun and be safe.

 

[WyoJim]

You lost me. I have run both of those routes and don't remember I-70 being in AZ at all. And I-15 only crosses about 30 miles of AZ. What am I missing?

 

[fkovalski]

... I did sent an e-mail to CDOT asking this question (road grades)... will post any info that I hear back.

I did hear back from CDOT. Here is a link to more I-70 info: TRUCK PARKING GUIDE ... Alot more info contained within. I have not lookd at all pages, but the index seems as if it is related to large trucks- may be of interest to RV'ers and such... grades are addressed on page V.