I-70 west

[Gary_O]

Getting ready for trip from Pa to Colorado and would like any info on road condition of I-70,especially thru Indiana.Last trip 2 years ago I never was on a worst road than in I-70 Indiana.I took I-80 on return trip and it was almost as bad.Would Rt 36 be a better option,towing a 40 foot 5th wheel?

[lenr]

Just drove I-70 from Indy to Cambride, OH, today. While not quite as rough as prior years, it is still pretty bad. Indiana is worse than OH, but there are plenty of rough spots in OH.

[RGar974417]

trailertraveler wrote:
Depending on where you are starting from in PA, consider dropping South to I-68 and I-64 to Saint Louis. They are usually in much better condition than I-70 and less traffic. West of Saint Louis we use US-36 or US-50. Both are good highways with interesting small towns to visit along the way. Both have enough campgrounds. RV parks along the way. Several small towns have city parks that allow overnights and some even have hookups. There are also county parks and fairgrounds that have facilities for overnight stops.

I64 is a better road than 70 but fuel stops are fewer and far between.

[trailertraveler]

Depending on where you are starting from in PA, consider dropping South to I-68 and I-64 to Saint Louis. They are usually in much better condition than I-70 and less traffic. West of Saint Louis we use US-36 or US-50. Both are good highways with interesting small towns to visit along the way. Both have enough campgrounds. RV parks along the way. Several small towns have city parks that allow overnights and some even have hookups. There are also county parks and fairgrounds that have facilities for overnight stops.

[Thom02099]

RGar974417 wrote:
I agree with Rt 36. It is better than I 70 and there are 2 nice Missouri State Parks along the way. We stayed at Pershing State Park 3 years ago. Paid $22 a night with electric.

...and in Kansas, there are 2 State Parks of interest along US 36. There's Lovewell Lake SP about 18 miles north of the highway near Mankato KS, and Prairie Dog SP is outside of Norton, KS to the south of US 36. I'm planning on staying at Lovewell heading east, and will likely stay at Prairie Dog coming back west.

[Veebyes]

Another fan of 36 here. Made the trip back & forth from MD many times & got on rt36 ASAP.

[RGar974417]

I agree with Rt 36. It is better than I 70 and there are 2 nice Missouri State Parks along the way. We stayed at Pershing State Park 3 years ago. Paid $22 a night with electric.

[Thom02099]

Gary O wrote:
Getting ready for trip from Pa to Colorado and would like any info on road condition of I-70,especially thru Indiana.Last trip 2 years ago I never was on a worst road than in I-70 Indiana.I took I-80 on return trip and it was almost as bad.Would Rt 36 be a better option,towing a 40 foot 5th wheel?

I can give you some pointers for the bulk of your trip, as I'm doing it in reverse in about 3 weeks.

Get yourself to Fort Wayne, IN from PA by whatever route works for you. From Fort Wayne, take US 24 west to I-57. South on I-57 to I-72. I-72 west becomes US 36 at Hannibal, MO. US 36 across MO is 4 lane all the way across and is a very good roadway. When you get to St. Joseph, MO, you'll continue on US 36, but it becomes 2 lanes at that point. Not to worry, it's a good 2 lane roadway, with small towns every 30-40 miles; further in between as you get further west. Stay on US 36 all the way in to Colorado where it merges with I-70 in the Bennett area outside of Denver. I-70 is not bad at this point; however, as you get into Denver, there's major construction going on in the area as it approaches I-25. May not be a problem, depending on your destination.

[campigloo]

We took 70 in the first part of May. It about beat us death. You might be better taking I-10 than that thing.

[JRscooby]

caver wrote:
The traffic on I70 between St Louis and Kansas City is just bad. Lots of truck traffic and quite a bit only two lanes.

If I'm making that trip for pleasure, and sometimes working I prefer US 50.

[caver]

The traffic on I70 between St Louis and Kansas City is just bad. Lots of truck traffic and quite a bit only two lanes.

[Gary_O]

On last trip I took I-80 west to I-76 in Ohio then I-71 south to I-70 west.Now looking at rt 36 or rt 40.Retired so not in any hurry.Are their many truck stops or fuel stations on rt 36 and rt 40 with easy access with 5th wheel?

[dpgllg]

Based on where Beech Creek is I'm not sure where you will be getting on I-70 to head west but if you come through Washington PA there is major construction that causes backups.

The construction heading west starts right after the 84 Pa exit and ends at the Route 19 exit. They have two lanes open but the lanes are narrow and have the concrete barriors on each side. Friday evenings are the worst but sometimes when they move equipment from one side to another it comes to a complete stop.

Dave

[NatParkJunkie]

I drove 70 from AZ back to PA in April. I said the same thing I-70 through Indiana was the WORST highway I've been on in a long time. And I was on a lot of rough desert BLM roads in AZ for the winter.

[Busskipper]

Gary O wrote:
Getting ready for trip from Pa to Colorado and would like any info on road condition of I-70,especially thru Indiana.Last trip 2 years ago I never was on a worst road than in I-70 Indiana.I took I-80 on return trip and it was almost as bad.Would Rt 36 be a better option,towing a 40 foot 5th wheel?

We generally will get on RT 36 at Hannibal and stay on it into Colorado where the roads are not that good (Get spoiled on the Great part of RT 36) While the I's require you to slow down to save the vehicle they still are the only option east of the Mississippi - JMHO.

Best of Luck,