I-70 vs I-80

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Lisa and I are preparing to depart the PNW next week to head east, our goal is Tennessee where we'll store our boat before heading to Michigan. We plan on winterizing Kismet before we depart, just in case we run into cold weather. We've driven I-80 thru Utah, Wyoming etc before but have not taken I-70 thru the mountains of Utah and Colorado. Are there any Tugnuts who have experience with I-70 and I-80 that can give me there opinions and comparisons?

Jim F

 

[Crewdog]

Hi Jim and Lisa:

I remember the I-70 drive to be lots of long, steep mountain climbs and descents. And seems like there were a few places with long distances between services. But it was very scenic.

If time permits, y'all might like US 50 between Gunnison and Pueblo.

If it's open, Black Canyon of the Gunnison is worth seeing.

Bill

 

[JamesTXSD]

I-70 will take you over Vail Pass, elevation 10,662. The odds are you will run into some weather this time of year, so check weather along that route. It is a long climb up, a long descent down the other side. If the weather is good, it is scenic, but still a tough pull. I-80 is less demanding, but also the potential for wintery weather.

We used to live in the Black Hills, and have plenty of miles on both routes. All things being equal, I prefer I-80 because it is overall less steep. If I were doing the route by motorcycle in August, I'd go I-70... towing anything heavy, I-80.

Weather is always the determining factor on either route.

Travel safe,
Jim B

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Thanks Bill and Jim B: I suspected as much but I needed to hear it from those with I-70 experience. I'll watch the weather and hope I can traverse I-80, then south to Denver and onto I-70 and then east without going extremely south, down to Arizona and then east. I appreciate your thoughts and recommendations,

Jim F

 

[Dwasson]

Don't overlook the severe winds you may encounter near Elk Mountain on I-80 in Wyoming. Sometimes the long pulls at Vail Pass and going up to Eisenhower Tunnel are a piece of cake compared to wind whipping around a 30-foot boat/trailer.