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GearGirl · 05-08-2019, 01:17 PM

Hi all! I searched for this topic and couldn't find a post that addresses it, so I'm posting new.

In the next week I will start a trip taking me from Santa Fe, NM to West Yellowstone, MT. I am more than willing to not take a direct route if that saves me from hairpin turns and steep grades.

For the past few days I've been looking at routes on several apps, and I noticed one that uses this route:

550 from Bernalillo to 371 to Farmington, NM
64W from Farmington to Shiprock, NM
491 from Shiprock to Monticello, UT
191 from Monticello to I-70 to 191 again to Castle Gate, UT
6 from Castle Gate to I-15 in Spanish Fork, UT (near Provo)
15 from Spanish Fork to Idaho Falls, ID
20 from Idaho Falls into West Yellowstone, MT

I have noticed in recent months that I get extremely anxious or even panicky on outer lanes with drop-offs, as well as hairpin turns. Like, slow down to nearly a stop anxious. It's terrifying and, later, embarrassing.

I typically have to pull over for a couple hours after such an experience. So I'm trying my best to avoid routes like that.

I don't mind having trees on either side of the road or being in a canyon, at least the irrational thought of losing control and flying off the road and into an abyss is nullified! So if anyone has taken the route I mentioned or knows of a good alternate route, I really appreciate it! I don't mind going past Yellowstone and coming back, either.

Thanks!!

PS: 39' DP 330HP towing a Land Rover Discovery

rgvtexan · 05-08-2019, 06:54 PM

I take that route yearly, one direction or the other. For you, maybe less stressful than 84 to Pagosa Springs.

550 and 6 are good roads.

6 and 191 are the same road from I70/Green River. A few curves and grades

Check Google Earth.

Enjoy the trip.

twogypsies · 05-08-2019, 11:44 PM

The route you have planned is just fine for the issues you're having.

If leaving from Santa Fe, Hwy 84 to Pagosa Springs then west on 160 To Cortez would be more logical. If you're feeling that anxious about it it's dangerous. It's not a safe way to drive. Sometime you might just freeze. Perhaps getting a smaller RV would help your fears. Also consider getting the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers' to give you a heads up on some western highways. The ones in the directory aren't ones that should be avoided as many are good for RVs.

Have a good trip!

creativepart · 05-09-2019, 12:09 AM

That’s a good route and you should enjoy the trip. Though I find the scenery around Shiprock to be pretty it’s a fairly bleak area. Pretty hard scrabble times around there.

rarebear.nm · 05-09-2019, 12:30 AM

I also live in Santa Fe. We made the reverse of your trip coming home from Yellowstone, West Gate. Only real difference is we went through Slat Lake City, on a Sunday morning, no bad traffic then. I think considering your fears, the proposed route is about as good as it gets.

Where are you camping at up there?

GearGirl · 05-09-2019, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

The route you have planned is just fine for the issues you're having.

If leaving from Santa Fe, Hwy 84 to Pagosa Springs then west on 160 To Cortez would be more logical. If you're feeling that anxious about it it's dangerous. It's not a safe way to drive. Sometime you might just freeze. Perhaps getting a smaller RV would help your fears. Also consider getting the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers' to give you a heads up on some western highways. The ones in the directory aren't ones that should be avoided as many are good for RVs.

Have a good trip!

I'm glad to hear I've picked a good route!

It's happened in my SUV as well, so decreasing size won't help (plus I'm full timing and need every cubic mm of space!). It stems from an emergency I had this past fall. I was really shaky after that but travelling alone and was over 3000 miles from home base! Boy that was fun...NOT. It took 2 months to get back to AZ.

Over time it'll get better, it already is, but I just don't want to trigger the anxiety if I don't have to.

Fingers and toes crossed, lol!

GearGirl · 05-09-2019, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

I also live in Santa Fe. We made the reverse of your trip coming home from Yellowstone, West Gate. Only real difference is we went through Slat Lake City, on a Sunday morning, no bad traffic then. I think considering your fears, the proposed route is about as good as it gets.

Where are you camping at up there?

I'm still sorting that out... seems I may be boondocking initially until I get a feel for what's available (most places I want to stay don't take reservations). I'm installing a cell signal booster, too, so hopefully that won't be an issue.

I'm breaking the trip down so it takes about a week to get from SF to West Yellowstone. Just taking it easy 😉

rarebear.nm · 05-09-2019, 11:25 AM

Taking your time is a wise move. RVing is about having fun and being safe. As you are planning I think you should always drive within your own comfort zone. We did the route in three easy days. I usually try to limit my driving time to 4 to 6 hours per day with frequent breaks. I'm retired and in no hurry.

There are many great places to see along that route that can break up your trip. I don't know your plans, but I would suggest you spend at least two weeks in Yellowstone. So much to see and do. Even then you can't really touch what it has. Don't forget to drop south and see the Tetons as well.

Have fun and be safe....