I-70 vs I-80 road condition, which is better.

[OverNightSensat]

We're heading out to Richfield, Utah area in a couple months. I'm wondering which road is in better shape, I-70 or I-80? It's only about 100 mile difference. I planing on I-70 thru the tunnels. Pulling a 45' 5th wheel with a dually.

[Busskipper]

Thom02099 wrote:

in5r wrote:
I have somewhat the same question. How do road conditions between 70 and 80 compare between Indiana and Denver. We just came back from a trip out to Denver without the 5th wheel on I80 then 76 into Denver to 70. I80 had some terribly bumpy areas in multiple areas. One in the Chicago area could probably launch you into a low earth orbit if conditions were just right. 76 in Colorado had its issues as well. We are heading out in August with the 5th and wondering if I70 might be worth a thought. Once again only very recent experiences not years ago.

Have travelled back/forth between Colorado and Indiana several times, destination in NE Indiana (Fort Wayne area). Using that as a marker, I take US 24 west to I-57, I-57 south to I-72. I-72 turns into US 36 at Hannibal, MO and I stay on US 36 across MO and KS, and on in to CO where it meets up with I-70. Particularly on US 36, this is a much better route IMHO. The road surface is better, the traffic issue is a non-issue and for me, it's just a better experience. Small towns (especially in Kansas) about 30-40 miles apart, doesn't slow you down that much and gives a good leg stretching break or fuel stops.

Thom gives Sage advice here - ^^^^^^^^ - RT 36 is just fine, but we tend to take a Diagonal before Colorado state line to get back to I-70 as the roads in Eastern Colorado don't get much Love and the surface on I-70 is new till you get to the city of Denver - then you need to be smart on timing as rush hour is just SLOW.

Also note that there are many options in small towns with WalMarts or in town small $20 parks Hays and Ellis come to mind.

When you get to Denver we always take RT 54 to RT 6 out though the Canyon following Clear Creek to I-70 and Idaho Springs. My welcome to Colorado Just Beautiful and Easy pretty much same drive time.

Best of Luck,

[Thom02099]

in5r wrote:
I have somewhat the same question. How do road conditions between 70 and 80 compare between Indiana and Denver. We just came back from a trip out to Denver without the 5th wheel on I80 then 76 into Denver to 70. I80 had some terribly bumpy areas in multiple areas. One in the Chicago area could probably launch you into a low earth orbit if conditions were just right. 76 in Colorado had its issues as well. We are heading out in August with the 5th and wondering if I70 might be worth a thought. Once again only very recent experiences not years ago.

Have travelled back/forth between Colorado and Indiana several times, destination in NE Indiana (Fort Wayne area). Using that as a marker, I take US 24 west to I-57, I-57 south to I-72. I-72 turns into US 36 at Hannibal, MO and I stay on US 36 across MO and KS, and on in to CO where it meets up with I-70. Particularly on US 36, this is a much better route IMHO. The road surface is better, the traffic issue is a non-issue and for me, it's just a better experience. Small towns (especially in Kansas) about 30-40 miles apart, doesn't slow you down that much and gives a good leg stretching break or fuel stops.

[Mike134]

Was just one I80 last weekend at the bottom of Lake Michigan, I'd take a different road but no choice for me. Road construction, bumps, traffic. Might be better as you get near Iowa.

[in5r]

I have somewhat the same question. How do road conditions between 70 and 80 compare between Indiana and Denver. We just came back from a trip out to Denver without the 5th wheel on I80 then 76 into Denver to 70. I80 had some terribly bumpy areas in multiple areas. One in the Chicago area could probably launch you into a low earth orbit if conditions were just right. 76 in Colorado had its issues as well. We are heading out in August with the 5th and wondering if I70 might be worth a thought. Once again only very recent experiences not years ago.

[dedmiston]

Our kids went to university in Laramie and we drove the 80 many times. Wyoming is such a gorgeous state, but you really don't see any of the beauty from I-80. It's long and monotonous and it feels like it will never end.

The winds are predictably horrible, and it can storm as late as May and as early as September. It snowed every year for finals week in May and we got snowed in when we visited for graduation.

Most recently we dipped down into Wyoming in late September to dodge an early snow storm in Montana when we were heading west from North Dakota. We should have dipped further south than we did, because the drive on I-80 was horrible. The winds stopped all truck and RV traffic for hours. It was still blowing when we got back on the road, and somehow a gust got inside our bedroom and blew out our large bedroom window. The window wasn't broken or damaged, it was just plain gone. All of the papers and receipts on my dresser beneath the window were still there, but the window was missing. We had to finish the cold trip with plastic duct-taped over the window, which was pretty chilly when we got snow in Nevada.

Not that the I-80 should be avoided all the time, but Wyoming is a rugged state with a pretty short summer and harsh winters.

[OverNightSensat]

Thanks for all the replies. I think we'll just go out on 70.
Not too worried about the mountains as this truck should do a lot better than the 30' gas powered Class C pulling 16' trailer with two atv's we took through there 15 years ago!

[colliehauler]

jrs1871 wrote:
We prefer I80 because the passes are not as high and you don't have to go through Denver. There is more truck traffic and the cross winds in Wyoming can be tricky. If you use a Garmin GPS it will show you elevation changes on your route. We prefer the long gradual climb but that is just us.

Same here if my destination is further West. Of course I take 70 if my destination is Colorado.

[valhalla360]

Cities are largely a wash...Denver vs Salt Lake City.

It's a long way thru the plains either way.

As long as your truck is set up to do the climb west of Denver, I would take that route.

[Thom02099]

OverNightSensation wrote:
We're heading out to Richfield, Utah area in a couple months. I'm wondering which road is in better shape, I-70 or I-80? It's only about 100 mile difference. I planing on I-70 thru the tunnels. Pulling a 45' 5th wheel with a dually.

In Colorado on I-70, 3 climbs to deal with. The first is the climb out of Denver up to the Evergreen area and then the Floyd Hill descent outside of Idaho Springs. Second is the climb up to the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnels and the (somewhat long) descent into the Summit County towns. And finally the climb up and over Vail Pass. 11000+ feet for #2 and #3. Your rig should handle it fine. Just be aware of the slow traffic that you'll encounter on all 3 climbs. You can handle it; others maybe not.

I-80 in Wyoming, the high point is outside of Laramie at ~9600 feet with a drop into Laramie to ~7200 feet. That high point is the highest on all of I-80, coast to coast. It's a gradual climb from Cheyenne to the summit and the descent to Laramie is only about 5 miles or so. West of Laramie is a lot of rolling terrain and as pointed out, the winds can be tricky. But there's no significant elevation changes.

Your choice as to which you would be more comfortable with.

[Mike134]

I 70 when going under Chicago, especially during commuter times and weekend travelers.

[jrs1871]

We prefer I80 because the passes are not as high and you don't have to go through Denver. There is more truck traffic and the cross winds in Wyoming can be tricky. If you use a Garmin GPS it will show you elevation changes on your route. We prefer the long gradual climb but that is just us.

[Horsedoc]

Take your pick. We've run both and either will get you going west. Lot of trucks on 80, maybe more than 70. Trip trip through Denver area on 70 is always a pain. I might drop up and head further west on 80. Interesting sites and history in the Cheyenne/Laramie area. Rock Spring has grown so much it is almost unrecognizable from when we first came through 20 + years ago.

[JRscooby]

Personally, I try to avoid going east in Kansas.

[Mmwtdh]

I've always picked I-80 if possible, but I'm sure there are others here with much more experience than me.

I hate going up and over and Denver traffic...