Which is the easiest route from St. George, UT to Oglalla, NE?

[skipsor]

For folks who have driven either or both routes, which is the quickest and easiest, I15 to I80 or I15/I70/I76?

I have driven the 80/15 going east to west so I have knowledge of that route.

However, a friend recommended the 15/70/76/80. He said it was faster by 4-6 hours. According to the mileage taken from AAA maps the difference is only 41 miles. That's nowhere near 4-6 hours.

The 15/80 has some ups and downs across from Salt Lake City across Wyoming but the other way has some heavy duty climbing up to about 10000+.

I don't mind mountain driving but I'm primarily looking for the quickest and easiest way and climbing those grades will definitely slow me down. I'm not looking for a scenic trip this time.

Any and all opinions cheerfully accepted.

Thank you ahead of time.

[skipsor]

For folks who have driven either or both routes, which is the quickest and easiest, I15 to I80 or I15/I70/I76?

I have driven the 80/15 going east to west so I have knowledge of that route.

However, a friend recommended the 15/70/76/80. He said it was faster by 4-6 hours. According to the mileage taken from AAA maps the difference is only 41 miles. That's nowhere near 4-6 hours.

The 15/80 has some ups and downs across from Salt Lake City across Wyoming but the other way has some heavy duty climbing up to about 10000+.

I don't mind mountain driving but I'm primarily looking for the quickest and easiest way and climbing those grades will definitely slow me down. I'm not looking for a scenic trip this time.

Any and all opinions cheerfully accepted.

Thank you ahead of time.

[Jim Gehlen]

I-15 to I 80 and east to Nebraska. On 76 you will have two real good grades to pull. The grade from Vail going east is quite long and also the grade from Glenwood Springs is scenic but steep.

I don't know how you could shave 4-6 hours off by going that way.

[Ding-a-ling]

If I were making that trip and not interested in scenery, just covering miles, I'd do I-15/80. The grades are less severe and last year I found I-76 Eastbound to be rather bumpy for stretches due to uneven expansion joints in the concrete pavement.

[JRP]

skipsor,

this is a choice where "quickest" and "easiest" yield different answers. I15 to I70/76 is actually quicker, but only by about 45 miles or 1 hour. In my opinion I15 to I80 is an easier drive and worth the extra hour, not having to deal with the steep climbs, poor road conditions, heavier traffic and driving through the middle of Denver by using I70.

one caution to add on my preferred route; Provo Canyon, the short cut from I15 to I80 (via 40) is still under construction widening the roadway and subject to delays, especially after hours.

Jim

[Paul Heuvelhorst]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by skipsor:
I have driven the 80/15 going east to west so I have knowledge of that route.

However, a friend recommended the 15/70/76/80. He said it was faster by 4-6 hours. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Skipsor,
I've not driven the route at all, so that's my disclaimer. I put the route information into Microsoft Streets & Trips to see what it had to say about "quickest" vs "shortest."

I15/I80 is 901 miles and takes 1 day, 5 hrs, 19 min. driving at "average" speeds.

I15/I70/I76 is 839 miles and take 1 day, 5 hrs, 40 min. That is 62 miles shorter, but it takes 21 min. longer. Since this route takes you through downtown Denver, that probably accounts for the time difference!!! HA!

Personally, I'd stick with the route you are familiar with since you seem to be interested in "gettin' there" rather than scenic.

JMHO

[skipsor]

I appreciate the responses and I thank you for them

I talked with my friend who told me that the 15/80 route is 4-6 hours longer. His reply was unintelligible which means he was way wrong. Oh well, it looks like the 15/80 is the way to go.

Thanks again.