Safest route through Rocky Mountains?

[Jesda]

I might be heading up to Washington after Christmas, taking the Chrysler or my brother's Cadillac.

This winter seems to be particularly miserable, so I'm pondering alternate routes. I usually take I29 north to I90 way up north, then cut across SD, WY, MT, and ID. The part through Idaho is steep and windy but well maintained. The section through WY and SD is prone to snow drifts, ice storms, and a lack of plows.

So, here's what I was pondering -- I70 from St Louis to Denver, then I84 through Cheyenne, Ogden, and a brief stint through the Blue Mountains up to Spokane. It would add 4 hours to my trip. Has anyone driven I-84 in the winter?

The goal here is to travel where temps are a bit higher and roads are flatter. Last time I did this during winter was in the Maxima, which was great but ice storms made fuel barely available. Plus, we got stuck in Rapid City waiting for the roads to clear.

[S14 boy]

I'm in the same boat, Jesda. Except I'm going from NY to WA.

I've decided on a game-day decision to take either I90 or I80(to I84North in UT--then to Yakima). I-90 seems to be more maintained and has closer towns, ect. Is I84 really that much warmer and flatter than I90? I dunno... I bought a CB radio too....just in case.

To me, I70 sounds like the better option for you.....but Denver has been known for storms too, so who knows. I vote for game-day decision. When exactly are you traveling?

[Desert Rat]

Well, I84 is 350 miles from Cheyenne.

I-80 across Wyoming is OK as far as mountains go, but it can be VERY windy across there, and if there's snow, it can white out quite easily. I84 takes off from I80 east of Salt Lake City and takes you up to I15, which goes to Butte, Mt., and then you'd be on I90 west.

My thoughts? Take I90 all the way.

[SnowSurfLax]

Having driven the entire length of I84 half a dozen times, yeah it sucks less than the I90 in the winter. There are a couple of rough spots in passes, but the 80 to the 84 is actually pretty flat (compared to the I90, IIRC). Through Idaho and Eastern Oregon, there usually isn't that much snow. Just check the weather to see if any freak storms are coming through. I almost ended up the new grill piece of a semi once on the I84, but we were having a near blizzard then.

[Oatmealman]

Jesda when your in denver you should visit Paris on the Platte if your looking for a relaxing place to drink some coffee and just to kick it for a bit.

[marlin29311]

Safest route is over them. Can't hit bad roads in the air

[S13_love]

If you are going to take I90, be careful when going through Butte. It gets pretty bad if you are traveling through there when there is a storm, especially if you are going through the pass into that town. But once you pass Butte and Anaconda and that general area, then it shouldn't be a problem after that.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Go south, through Texas, Arizona, NM, than when you hit California, bang a right all the way up to Washington. I guarantee warm weather.

[SEV6]

Whichever way you go make sure you take the caddy. I don't imagine alot of miles being fun in that little car. (the crossfire that is)

[boro drift]

Winter is getting off to a rough start over here man. A few highways have been closed once or twice already. I hope the weather is better than it is now for your trip.

[Mr1der]

on Al's back?

[ishkabibble]

I'm heading that way from STL after XMas, too. I'll keep an eye out for a domestic with bacon stank.

[Dieselman]

If you come through Denver and then take I25 north to I80 in Cheyenne you should definitely get ahold of Aaron or I and sample some fine beer with us on your way through.

[mests13]

last january i roadtripped to las vegas from pa. we took I70 both directions. on the way home we hit a huge blazzard while going through the CO rockies. it was pretty bad, but we kept going though because we were on a schedule (stupid I know, we had AWD but still dumb). we drove through the night and by about 7-8am the roads were cleared and much better. they seem to really know how to clear the snow out there.

good luck and be safe on your trip.

[Jesda]

I've been studying weather patterns, and it seems the best way to get across (from St Louis) is I-70 west to Denver, then I-25 north to I-90, then west to Washington.

While I-84 is further south and looks more favorable on a terrain map, there's more high-elevation driving and more snowfall.

The I-90 mountain pass through north Idaho and Montana is brief.

[MinisterofDOOM]

It's pretty much snow, snow, snow in northeastern UT. West of the mountains where I am, we're seeing a break right now. But east of the mountains where I-84 goes is pretty much on/off snow for the next few days at the very least.

Honestly, though, Utah's the easy part. UDOT does a good job of keeping the highways clear (I guess they have to do SOMETHING right...).

[boro drift]

I'd ride an airplane if I was you.

[Zydeco]

Dont you like the train? how about that.

[Jesda]

Empire Builder (my train across the country) recently got stranded for 23 hours with frozen toilets and dwindling food/water supplies.

I'm taking off tomorrow in the Cadillac.

[zachattack_5491]

Keep it real, they were telling people in CO to either stay off the highways or pack survival gear. Swear.

[S133P3R]

bring a friend &some peanut butter, that way youll have something to eat. and believe me, nothing compliments frozen friend like some peanut butter....... the rockies always killed my whole posse in the game 'OREGON TRAIL", with that being said... have safe trip.

[S14 boy]

Jesda....good luck and post up your findings when you return.

have fun!

[raremotive]

I-29 is very clear. I drove from Omaha to Kansas City and back both on Wednesday 12/24 and Friday 12/26.

On monday 12/28, I will be going to Rapid City by I-29 and I-90... it's a good interstate route.

Wednesday it was very icy.. But on Friday we had highs of 50's so all the ice and snow has melted. Roads are pretty much cleared up for now. No construction on that stretch. I did 75 mph non-stop cept in towns and fill-ups (Yes, both days).

But if you somehow get stuck in Rapid City again, be sure to ring me up.

[Jesda]

I'm staying overnight in Livingston, MT. Snow drifts caused by 50mph winds slowed us down to 10mph, stopping entirely at certain points. The Cadillac is a -beast- in the snow. In Wyoming trucks were toppled over everywhere because they didn't heed the warnings on brightly posted signs about empty trailers toppling over.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Late to the party. The correct answer:

[bobotech]

Why are you coming to Spokane?

Unwanted.

[Jesda]

Why are you coming to Spokane?

Unwanted.

I wanna be a cowboy, baby.

[Bubba1]

Why are you coming to Spokane?

I suspect he heard "Cat Tails" Zoological Park was serving brunch. You know how much he loves to eat cat...

[hitbychance]

take this crazy thing

[Beancooker]

You guys (Jesda and Bobo) going to travel over to the terrible driver side of Washington?