Community Forums

MBohio · 01-12-2020, 07:09 AM

Hi, I’m planning a trip from Cleveland to Denver this summer. I’m having second thoughts on which route is easer on the truck while hauling the camper.
I question on which one has more hills to climb .
Plus I know I 80 is a toll road, we’re I can’t recall I 70 being one. Last time I took that route.
My primary route was I 70, though I’ll drive 70 miles more,but I’ll avoid Chicago and the tolls I know that I’ll hit.
Any thoughts.
thank you

momdoc · 01-12-2020, 08:32 AM

There are no hills or mountains between Ohio and Denver. I-70 will be your better route.

Cousin Ed · 01-12-2020, 08:36 AM

70 is falter and no tolls, unless there is a toll near Indy. I forget.

mrpardee · 01-12-2020, 10:10 AM

There is a toll around Kansas City Kansas

dix39 · 01-12-2020, 10:57 AM

We have run 70 for many years from OR to WV and/or the reverse. There is a toll between Topeka and KC but it only somewhere between 5 and 10 dollars towing, closer to 5 as I recall. We don't hit any eastern tolls, if there are any, as we leave 70 at Washington, PA. Our "fast" route is 80 from Winnemucca to Cheyenne, down 25 to Denver, 70 to Washington, PA, then south on 79, or the reverse. Our only toll is between Topeka and KC.

We go around Indy to the south on bi-pass 465, take 270 which stays to the north through SL, and go straight through KC on 70. There are some bi-passes round KC, but I've never taken them.

I always breathe a sigh of relief when we get past Topeka and it is open county until we get to Denver, which is a PITA like most large cities. I will say the toll road there, 470, is expensive. I tried it once while towing and I made it about halfway to 25 before deciding I had better get off before I ran out of money. Not quite that bad, but expensive.

Last year we came back on 80 from Omaha, NE. There were no tolls, but the roads were bad in the vicinity of Omaha. Once past there they were good.

Have a great trip.

Steve

Busskipper · 01-12-2020, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBohio

Hi, I’m planning a trip from Cleveland to Denver this summer. I’m having second thoughts on which route is easer on the truck while hauling the camper.
I question on which one has more hills to climb .
Plus I know I 80 is a toll road, we’re I can’t recall I 70 being one. Last time I took that route.
My primary route was I 70, though I’ll drive 70 miles more,but I’ll avoid Chicago and the tolls I know that I’ll hit.
Any thoughts.
thank you

Just a thought on your route - NO to I-80 - if you must do the interstate highway I - 70 works with just one toll - crowded -truck traffic - boring.

Here is an option you might just look at RT 36 - get to Hannibal then just get to Denver about 60 miles shorter almost makes the non interstate route faster. straight -more scenic - few if any trucks - easy - enjoyable.

I’ve taken all - only once I-80 never again -lousy road - trucks everywhere - hated it oh did I mention tolls - Chicago . Pretty good road I-70 - trucks - big cities - boring - little toll done it maybe 4-5 times cities are the biggest negative.
RT 36 - 15 - 20 times - just more enjoyable - good road - easy.

Just another option,

FL420 · 01-12-2020, 03:28 PM

Just a couple of tips.
The drive from Cleveland to Denver on I-70 has no mountains but it is a 5000' almost imperceptible elevation change. You might want to keep an eye on coolant and tranny temps the last half of the trip.
The only toll road on the trip is on E470 which surrounds the east side of Denver from I-25 on the south to I-25 on the north of the metro area. C470, which circles from I-25 on the south to I-70 on the west is not a toll road.
Edit:
Dang, Busskipper was quicker on the draw again.
I second his rec. on US36. Much more peaceful and interesting than I-70. US34 to I-76 is also good.

Waiter21 · 01-13-2020, 09:26 AM

From Cleveland, I'd shoot down and pick up I-70, Totally avoid Chicago.

From Toledo, we use US24 to Ft Wayne, then down to I-70. Again to avoid Chicago.

When you get near St Louis, take I-270 around the north to avoid St. Louis

Alan_Hepburn · 01-13-2020, 01:30 PM

If you decide to go I80 through Nebraska it's well worth it to stop for a couple of hours at the Great Platte River Road Archway - really nice museum that is enclosed in a large bridge that spans the Interstate!

Norvyet · 01-13-2020, 02:13 PM

Lived in Denver for many years -- I-70 is simple and straight forward, literally. You won't see any hills or step inclines until you enter what is the Front Range ( the foothills of the Rockies). While driving across Kansas on I 70 be sure to stop and see the National Praire Dog Museum !!!!

Greg121 · 01-20-2020, 03:53 PM

My preference would be decidedly for 36. Its a lot more interesting with less trucks, toll and big city issues than 70. It may depend on how much of a hurry you're in.

lwmcguire · 01-20-2020, 08:31 PM

36 is going to take quite a bit longer but would let you see small town America

I80 is fast and busy, not a pleasant drive at 65 mph or so

I70 Is an easy drive until Denver's traffic , avoid rush hour

You have got great advice as I am from central KS and have driven those interstates since they were built

Busskipper · 01-21-2020, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwmcguire

36 is going to take quite a bit longer but would let you see small town America

I80 is fast and busy, not a pleasant drive at 65 mph or so

I70 Is an easy drive until Denver's traffic , avoid rush hour

You have got great advice as I am from central KS and have driven those interstates since they were built

Not to be argumentative but.......RT 36 is about 60 miles shorter, as it is straight across the country - and the small towns are just that - small, and come every hour or so - last no matter which route you use to get across the Fly Over States you end up in Denver - and yes the Traffic and Construction, if entered at the wrong time are a real Pain in the A**.

Now on the other Side of Denver it only get Better. -

dix39 · 01-22-2020, 11:38 AM

We have normally gone from OR to WV and back every year since the late '70s using predominately 70 and 80. One year I decided to take Rt 50 from WV to somewhere out west that turned out to be just past Austin, NV. From there we went to Battle Mountain, NV and the normal way on to OR. The difference in time between taking Rt 50 and interstates 70 and 80 was one day, so all those little towns with their 25 mph limits and stop lights do have an effect on progress. On the other hand, if you're not in a hurry there are sights to be seen.

Steve