our plans have changed,we are leaving memphis, tn last week in may going to waco then to wy. mapquest has three different routes.any and all info is appreciated. traveling in 40 ft. rv and toad. this is the start of our trip to alaska for three months. sincerly, richard
Which section of the route(s) are you worried about? Google gives 3 choices, but they are just different ways across the plains to Denver. With a diagonal route like that there are many options that don't increase the total distance by much.
287 and 191 are both good highways for the most part.
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There are probably 500 different routes you COULD take so a little more information about what you WANT from a route would help. Are you looking for the smoothest road surface, fastest route, no toll roads, avoiding interstate highways, nothing BUT Interstate highways, most scenic, shortest or something else?
Good luck / Skip
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I plugged Waco and Jackson into Streets & Trips and it came up with I35 to 287 to I70 to I25 to 287 to I80 to 287 to 26, a total of 1350 miles.
I have not driven any of those roads south of Denver, but I personally feel more relaxed driving the 2 lanes than the Interstates. In this case, the 2 lanes look a lot shorter as well. Route 26 north of Dubois goes over the Togwotee Pass at about 9,000 feet. There will definitely be snow on the side of the road at the pass in early June, but as long as you don't run into a late snow storm the road should be clear. There has also been construction in that area the past few years, which may or may not be ongoing this year.
We have driven 191 from I80 up to Jackson, but that was 10-15 years ago. I recall it as being west of the Wind River mountains with no pass involved.
Depending on how much time you have for your trip, instead of taking IH-35 north through Fort Worth, you might want to take Highway 84 West out of Waco and then take Highway 281 up north. You will pick up Highway 287 in Wichita Falls.
Depending on the time of day, this route may be a little less stressful. Some folks do not like IH-35 between San Antonio and DFW
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I would highly recommend staying completely away from the DFW area and I-35. It's longer and the traffic is terrible.
Another option is to stay on US84 all the way to Lubbock, then I-27 to Amarillo, thence US287 to I-70. This route bypasses Raton Pass.
Or - you can take the bypass around Amarillo to FM1061 up to US385 to Dalhart, then US64 to Raton, thence I-25 to Denver. This takes you across Raton Pass, which is no big deal. We use the route every year towing a 30ft 5ver.
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For the last leg, any of the US # highways from I80 to Jackson should be fine (US26, 287, 181, 189). The Jackson Valley (hole) is surrounded by mountains on all sides. US26 follows the Snake River out of the valley to the west. I80 and Jackson are both at 6000ft. US191 follows river valleys, so it does not have to climb above 7600, US287 climbs higher (9500) but that is a broad and gentle pass.
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