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adonh · 05-02-2014, 04:49 PM

I am thinking about attending the big Airstream International Rally that runs from 6/28/2014 through 7/4/2014 in Gillette WY. I will be traveling in my 2005 Airstream 39' 396 XL DP from Houston. The route looks to be straight up through Dallas, OK City, Wichita and then veer NW through Nebraska into WY up to Gillette. I have not make this trip before and have never been that far north. I can sure put a few more states on the map. What can I expect from highway, driving and weather conditions. Thanks

Auto hauler · 05-02-2014, 05:31 PM

If I was running my truck from Houston to Gillette, from I 45 out of Houston, I'd be catching US 287 at Ennis. Stay with 287 up to Limon, CO and onto I-70 (Technically still 287) I 70 to I 270, to I 25 north bound. 25 North to Douglas, WY and catch WY59 north. Run past all the giant coal mines and right to Gillette at junction of I 90.

Weather should be no big deal in late June. Maybe a few afternoon T-storms and possibly good cross winds in Wyoming.

BFlinn181 · 05-02-2014, 05:35 PM

I've encountered lots of wind (from the west- NW) that eats fuel and makes steering a two fisted sport. I suggest at Wichita going up US 81 to Salina and west on I 70. East of Denver, take I-270 NW to I-25 N. (It is a toll road, but only 7 miles) I-25 to Douglas, WY, then north on WY 59 right to Gillette. You could avoid the toll by driving I-70 to I-25, but that is a notoriously congested junction, (called 'Malfunction Junction)

Auto hauler · 05-02-2014, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

I've encountered lots of wind (from the west- NW) that eats fuel and makes steering a two fisted sport. I suggest at Wichita going up US 81 to Salina and west on I 70. East of Denver, take I-270 NW to I-25 N. (It is a toll road, but only 7 miles) I-25 to Douglas, WY, then north on WY 59 right to Gillette. You could avoid the toll by driving I-70 to I-25, but that is a notoriously congested junction, (called 'Malfunction Junction)

No toll on I270 that cuts across the edge of Commerce City and over to I 25. Must be thinking of the CO-470 bypass that skits the airport to the northeast of Denver.

Even CO-470 is a plate reader mail a bill toll road, with an out of state plate chances are you will never see a bill. Just like the Texas toll roads, out of state plates often skirt by and never get a bill.

BFlinn181 · 05-02-2014, 06:40 PM

You're right, Auto hauler, I-270 is free. I was thinking of I-470, which starts north further east of Denver and circles north to I-76 and I-25. It is a toll road. I-270 avoids some of the congestion, although a few times a year I still get slowed down from I-270 to I-25 on I-70.

adonh · 05-03-2014, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auto hauler

If I was running my truck from Houston to Gillette, from I 45 out of Houston, I'd be catching US 287 at Ennis. Stay with 287 up to Limon, CO and onto I-70 (Technically still 287) I 70 to I 270, to I 25 north bound. 25 North to Douglas, WY and catch WY59 north. Run past all the giant coal mines and right to Gillette at junction of I 90.

Weather should be no big deal in late June. Maybe a few afternoon T-storms and possibly good cross winds in Wyoming.

Does this look like the route you suggest

Directions from Houston, TX to Gillette, WY best route map

TurboLQ9 · 05-03-2014, 03:19 PM

Not so! The wife, 2 cats and I drove our Prius (had to leave the TT behind due to time constraints) along CO-470 in January on our way to Fort Lewis, Washington from my duty station at Fort Riley, Kansas and got nailed not once but twice (on the way there and back) by this toll road

We have North Carolina license plates and the car is registered to my parents' house in NC. About a month after we got back to Kansas, my Dad called me and said he had gotten a bill in the mail from Colorado because of this toll road, so beware!

BFlinn181 · 05-03-2014, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adonh

Does this look like the route you suggest

Directions from Houston, TX to Gillette, WY best route map

No, your route diverts to US 385 from I-40 west of Amarillo, instead of US 287. US 287 joins I-40 then goes north in downtown Amarillo.

Your route takes you through Colorado Springs and Denver on I-25, all possible traffic nightmares.

US 287 goes from Amarillo to Limon, CO, then go W on I-70 to I-270, I-270 NW to I-25 N to Cheyenne and Douglas, WY.

And I-270, from I-70 to I-25 north is a free highway.

adonh · 05-03-2014, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

No, your route diverts to US 385 from I-40 west of Amarillo, instead of US 287. US 287 joins I-40 then goes north in downtown Amarillo.

Your route takes you through Colorado Springs and Denver on I-25, all possible traffic nightmares.

US 287 goes from Amarillo to Limon, CO, then go W on I-70 to I-270, I-270 NW to I-25 N to Cheyenne and Douglas, WY.

And I-270, from I-70 to I-25 north is a free highway.

How does this look from map quest going through Ennis, Amarillo, Limon, Cheyenne, Douglas then Gillette

MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map

Thanks for your help

BFlinn181 · 05-03-2014, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adonh

How does this look from map quest going through Ennis, Amarillo, Limon, Cheyenne, Douglas then Gillette

MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map

Thanks for your help

Yes, that's the route,named by cities, but your link only took me to Mapquest home page, not your route.

adonh · 05-04-2014, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Yes, that's the route,named by cities, but your link only took me to Mapquest home page, not your route.

Let me try adding the link again

MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map

No that did not work either. But it does follow 287 and I 70 to 270 and 1 25. From Douglas to Gillette is highway WY 59

nctox · 05-04-2014, 06:45 AM

Auto hauler,
How does US 287 thru Ft. Worth compare with the Interstate loop around it? Isn't 287 congested there?

nctox · 05-05-2014, 02:58 PM

Just to bump this question again.

Has anyone traveled south to north around Ft. Worth, and is US 287 a better idea than the interstate loop?

adonh · 05-05-2014, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nctox

Just to bump this question again.

Has anyone traveled south to north around Ft. Worth, and is US 287 a better idea than the interstate loop?

The few times I have been anywhere near Ft Worth there was bumper to bumper traffic. Nor, south east or west. I am not familiar with US 287 but if it skirts Ft. Worth it has to be better. But that is just a wild guess.