I-80 or I-70?

[Stakealot]

Just wondering about a route from northern MN. to San Diego, CA.. I have been on I-70 from Grand Junction, East to Denver. The grade near Golden was a little spooky, but my old rig did fine, I just wonder if going West is doable? Driving a 36' DP 330hp. towing a GMC Colorado with a 750# scooter in the back. Or if I should look into taking I-80 @ North Platt, NB. and go down through Salt Lake City. How about overnighting near Cedar City, UT along I-15? I'd rather Not take the interstate but I have to be in a rush (job). Anybody been there, done that? Thanks for the advise.

[Stakealot]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'll be doing this around April 10th.

[skigramp]

The "easiest" route across the Rockies is I-80 in my estimation.

1) I-80 across Nebraska and Wyoming ... into Utah
2) Near Park City take US 40 southward to Provo, UT
3) then I-15 into San Diego

(this is the easiest route that I have followed in the Spring when I leave San Diego for my trek back home)

The downside of taking either I-70 or I-80 is there is more risk of running into a spring winter storm.

There is probably less chance of hitting a late winter storm on I-40 (however I-40 climbs to 7000 feet near Flagstaff, AZ)

[robbstein]

We've done both routes over the years. I prefer I-70 going east. Don't like the climb out of Denver westbound. I also use I-80 going west. Beautiful drive through Wyoming. That time of year, probably lots of wild life down low. With the weather we are getting in that area this spring, I think I would opt for I-40 as being the safer route. Take I-35 to Wichita, then US54 to I-40 and west. If you run into weather, you can always swing south from Albquerque on I-25 to I-10 and go into San Diego on I-8. The only problem with I-10 is you can run into lots of wind across New Mexico. I've done all these routes, but try to stay away from the northern routes in the spring due to the aforementioned spring storms.

[Cruzer]

Yeah, I-40 is the safest as far as weather goes. You never know what will happen in the mountains on April 10th if on I-80 or I-70. However, I hate the boring I-40 drive and especially the Oklahoma tolls. I much prefer I-70 but I-80 isn't bad either. I-80 does have a few grades around Laramie and just before Salt Lake City but they aren't that bad. They're certainly easier than the Idaho Spring-to-Dillon and Vail grades on I-70. If it was me and I had to make time I'd plan on I-80 but keep a watchfull eye on the weather just before leaving and have a backup plan ready to go with I-40 if I absolutely had to.