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I just drove from Oregon to Southern Illnois that took me along I-80. The basic thing I’m trying to do is figure out alternative routing for the way back that won’t add too much distance.
Overall, the trip in was great. However, we got blasted with wind gusts up to 60mph (according to the reader boards) in Wyoming and to a lesser extent Nebrasksa while people were towing in at literally 80mph in that stuff.
For the return trip, I’d like less exposure to wind and lunatics. Unfortunately, work offers little flexibility so I can’t do what I really want and just take slow roads.
My inclination is to take I-70 across Colorado where speed limits (and I hope winds) are lower. A couple specific questions:
1) Is my logic sound, and what am I not thinking about? I rolled out equipped for tough roads, snow, and even getting stranded for a few days, but I wasn’t prepared for the wind or the 80mph thing.
2) Assuming my route is good, does it matter where I cut north? I’m thinking of leaving I-70 for 191 around Green RiverAny advice appreciated.
Kyle
We’ve made the trip between Omaha and Ogden about 20 times or more since 2016 in all seasons. Most of the trips were over I-80 but we have done I-70 a few times and I-90 once. Yes, I-80 is windy and the visibility can unpredictably drop to zero and the Cattle Drivers, drive with God riding shotgun but I-70 has it’s own issues. There is getting through Denver traffic, wind, snow and the climb out of Denver to the Eisenhower tunnel. The speed limit is lower but no one seems to go the speed limit anyway! If you choose to go I-70 and go over 193 to Spanish Fork, know that there’s no gas stations from Green River to Wellington and that you’ll need to climb Price Canyon and then over Soldiers Summit. There is a Walmart and Costco in Spanish Fork to relax in before you drive I-15 north. Depending on the time of day, the drive from SF to Ogden can be busy. If you continue on I-70 to I-15, you’ll still need cross the Wasatch front at Coal Hollow. I’m not recommending one way or the other just proving our experiences. We travel I-80 because it’s faster and we now know where all the pull-offs are in case we need to spend the night. Either way be prepared for the intestate to unexpectedly close for weather. I-70 is a little slower but more scenic if you dare take your eyes off the road.
Godspeed…I appreciate the info.
At the moment, wind speed and gustiness are my biggest concerns — do you think taking I-70 would mitigate either of these or is it not going to be materially different than I-80?
One route that intrigues me is taking 40 just outside of Denver to Salt Lake city since snow doesn’t look like it will be a factor when I’m passing through on the 27th. Though I’ll also be passing through late which makes taking 70 to Green River and refueling so I have enough to get the rest of the way in the safer move.
I appreciate the info.
At the moment, wind speed and gustiness are my biggest concerns — do you think taking I-70 would mitigate either of these or is it not going to be materially different than I-80?
One route that intrigues me is taking 40 just outside of Denver to Salt Lake city since snow doesn’t look like it will be a factor when I’m passing through on the 27th. Though I’ll also be passing through late which makes taking 70 to Green River and refueling so I have enough to get the rest of the way in the safer move.
I’ve driven both 80 and 70 east/west multiple times between Minnesota and the west. 80 always seems windy, sometimes excessively so. 70 has its own challenges, namely transiting through Denver. The traffic between Denver and Grand Junction can be heavy on weekends as everyone is heading west to ski/mountain bike etc or east to head home. As an alternative, I usually take 80 to Laramie and then drop south towards Steamboat and get on 70 at Walcott, avoiding Denver entirely. However, in winter, this can get a lot of snow so one has to watch road conditions. I tend to prefer back roads anyway and being retired, don’t have to be anywhere at specific times but this route adds about an hour to my trip.
Hope that helps.
I haven’t made the entire trip on 40 but have wandered on sections of it in good weather. There’s a whole lot of nothing out there in northwestern CO and eastern UT. I echo Kevin’s comments about snow, expect lots of it. You may want to consider spending the night somewhere between Denver and Cheyanne and make you decision based on the weather the morning of departure.
Safe TravelsLooks like Mother Nature made the decision for you…
I-80, though most of Wyoming is closed today.
Link to the WY Road Conditions Map: https://map.wyoroad.info/wtimap/index.htmlI wound up going through Kansas and taking 40 — nicely scenic though I encountered real weather especially as I got into Utah. I did make the entire trip in 3 days as planned though I put in some very long hours to make that happen.
I’d definitely recommend the trip, but don’t intend to plan to cover that much ground in so little time in future.
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