Los Angles CA to Omaha, Ne

[Ohsirr]

We are planning a trip from Los Angles Ca to Omaha, Nebraska in September. We would like to take the route through Colorado. We plan on stopping in Green River Utah at the KOA on day one which is about a 12 hour drive. The plan is to make the trip in three days or is that asking to much?

Also does anyone have suggestions on campsites along the way not to far off the highway?

three days there and four days in Omaha and three days back.

[LJowdy]

That's about 550 miles per day at an average of 50+ miles and hour with stops for fuel, food, rest so you're talking about 12 days. That's a lot of driving. Once you reach Grand Junction CO, and climb the hill to the summit that will take almost 5 hours alone. It's a very steep grade both up and down to Denver. I think I'd plan on more time to get there.

[Rorytug]

I agree that is ambitious. I have made that run 5 times in my similar coach. Pulling or not, your speed will average 50mph or below. There are a ton of hefty grades getting to Green River alone. Side note, it aint very green in Green River.. you have about 40 miles of 35-40 mph climbing to the Eisenhower Tunnel at almost 12, 000 feet before your plummet to Denver. You will want to downshift and run 50-55 down so you don't runaway. We live in Vegasd and GR is usually our first stop and it is 6+ hours with fair weather, longer with wind and we dont stop but for maybe one dog break for 15 minutes. Second day, we stay in/around Denver as that leg is tiring and there aint much between there and central Nebraska unless you stay on I70. We travel to a small town near Hastings NE and arrive from Vegas on the 3rd day. You may be better suited for longer hauls but I think though the staight math works, conditions on the ground will have other plans. It is never good to hurry in a motorhome

[JFXG]

Unless you're an OTR trucker well accustomed to consistently churning 600 miles per day, not enough time. Sorry.


John & Diane, fulltiming since '12
'02 DS, FL, Cat, '04 Element
NHSO RVM103

[TXTiger]

I lived in San Diego and my son lived in Omaha for many years. I would often make that trip. Taking I-15 I would get to Ceder City UT. the first day. The 2nd day I would take I-15 to I-70 and get to Denver. From Denver you can take I-76 and connect onto I-80 in NE and make Omaha by the end of the third day. Its a lot of driving but not bad if you have a co-driver. Not much time for sightseeing. A much more enjoyable drive may be to take one extra day if you have the time.

[Ohsirr]

we have reconsidered about going over the divide. we've changed our route to go through Albuquerque NM then up to the 25 to the 71 into Omaha NE. Any suggestions.

[LJowdy]

I-15 TO I-40 TO I-25 TO THE I-76 TO I-80 to Omaha.

You'll still climb on I-40 and going through New Mexico, you're elevation will be somewhere around 7,500 I've gone both directions and for what it's worth, the drive along I-70 just east of I-15 is spectacular then when you reach Grand Junction CO and head up the hill that too is a highly scenic route.

On I-40 be prepared for desert with a little bit of mountains mixed in around Williams AZ

[Robmat]

Originally Posted by Ohsirr

we have reconsidered about going over the divide. we've changed our route to go through Albuquerque NM then up to the 25 to the 71 into Omaha NE. Any suggestions.

I went over the pass on I-70 on a run from Salt Lake City to Denver and while it slowed us down in some sections the scenery was worth it. I wouldn't be afraid of it. Looking at Google it is 3 hours shorter going I-70 than Albuquerque and up I-25 so you have some time to slow down. Consider this - Lakewood to Green River, UT - 9.5 hours driving 12 behind the wheel, Green River, UT to Sidney, NE - 7.5 driving 10 behind the wheel, and Sidney, NE to Omaha, NE 5.5 driving 8 behind the wheel. At Sidney you have the Cabela's Headquarters and a Cabela's full service campground reasonably priced. I have no problem on a destination oriented trip trying to maximize my first day or two as long as I am prepared by getting rest before I leave, have snacks and beverages aboard and take a rest stop every 2-3 hours to stretch.

[skigramp]

At Sidney you have the Cabela's Headquarters and a Cabela's full service campground reasonably priced.

Sidney, NE is on I-80 west of where I-76 joins I-80.

It would be at least 50 miles out of the way to go to Sidney if you were travelling on I-76 ... or if you continued on I-25 to Cheyenne and then east on I-80

There are reasonably priced RV parks in Big Springs and Ogallala, Nebraska

[RichR]

I stayed at Green River KOA year before last- Voltage was at 90v- air would not work. They did not seem to care and did nothing. I was with 4 other rigs and all the same, way to hot.

[skigramp]

Originally Posted by Ohsirr

we have reconsidered about going over the divide. we've changed our route to go through Albuquerque NM then up to the 25 to the 71 into Omaha NE. Any suggestions.

I think this route should be East on I-40, North on I-25, Northeast on I-76, East on I-80

Comments

• I-25 is quite scenic between Santa Fe and Las Vegas, NM
• Raton pass is a nice steady climb and descent
• I have been unable to find a satisfactory RV park in Trinidad, CO
• There are two by-passes to Denver ... East is TOLL ... West is free ... going through downtown is okay in non-rush hour
• I have stayed in reasonably priced and pleasant RV parks in Raton, NM, Pueblo (south KOA), CO, and North Platte, NE
• There is some construction on I-76 but it should be finished by the time you travel.
• There is a fantastic museum over I-80 at Kearney if you are interested in reliving how the prairie morphed from herds of bison to present day