suggestions ...
I have never taken the exact trip that you are describing ... but I have left Wisconsin for about 8 or 9 years after Christmas ... and I have travelled from Las Vegas to Des Moines several times ...
I think you are wise to map out several possible routes ... but that time of year the biggest factor will be approaching winter storms ... we have made our decision on what route to follow based on weather.com's prediction 3 of those years ... and one year we changed our date of departure by a day to avoid an approaching storm ...
Back to the routes themselves ... I-80 to US-40 to I-15 is probably the "easiest" of the routes that you describe ... crossing the rockies on I-80 is very easy ... there is only one steep grade just east of Laramie ... the rest of it is very gentle ... there is a lot of "vastness" as you travel between Laramie and Evanston, WY
I-70 between Denver and Vail Colorado has several steep climbs and downgrades ... and the elevations are much higher ... I think the Eisenhauer tunnel is above 9000 feet ... there are good climbs near Evergreen, Georgetown, and between Copper Mountain and Vail ... sometimes they are playing golf in Denver and having a blizzard in Dillion. This is a very scenic drive in good weather ...
The elevation near Flagstaff on I-40 is nearly 7000 feet ... so although I-40 is more "southern" than the other routes ... winter storms do close I-40 on occasion ... I know folks who were stranded in Williams, AZ for 2 days due to a winter storm ...
Having said all of that ... I still think the weather forecast should be the number one priority in deciding your route ... safe travels ... enjoy Lost Wages
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2012 Buick Enclave
Present At home Home: Oshkosh, WI
former owner 2004 Winnebago Journey 39W
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