Heading out west in a few weeks. Looking at taking the central route, RT 70, or the northen route, RT 80. Both routes are about the same mileage wise. Looking for feedback from those of you that have taken these routes. I know there's always construction on RT80 near the the Great Lakes. I will be taking my 5th wheel.
Back when i was in the military and stationed in Colorado Springs i used to take Rt 70 to Columbus, OH , then swing up 71 to Cleveland and then catch 90 into Erie, PA. Same thing going back to the Springs.
When we went out last year in June, we took 70. We then cut Northwest at Indianapolis. This allowed us to avoid Chicago and its messy traffic (and tolls) on our way to South Dakota. Our GPS wanted us to go through Chicago, but I just turned it off to shut it up.
This year, we will also take 70 out, this time to the Pueblo, CO area. For us, 80 would add miles. We know we have to time going into St. Louis. Last time I drove out there, I wasn't paying attention and ended up there at the beginning of rush hour. Never again. I hope also that the construction around Indianapolis has improved.
You can always take 70 to Indianapolis to 74 to 80, cutting out both Chicago and St. Louis.
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Either route will work OK but I-70 has one major advantage which is missing the Chicago area. I-80 also has heavier truck traffic and as not a direct route to Denver as it travels a lot further north than needed. It all depends on what you want to see.
Good luck / Skip
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Thanks evryone for your recommendations. I'm going to take 70 out and pick up 34 just as we enter CO, then on to Loveland/Estes. The 74-72-36 Rt looked interesting, but with a larger rig, and concerned about fuel stops, I'm going to stick to 70.
nivrig wrote: Heading out west in a few weeks. Looking at taking the central route, RT 70, or the northen route, RT 80. Both routes are about the same mileage wise. Looking for feedback from those of you that have taken these routes. I know there's always construction on RT80 near the the Great Lakes. I will be taking my 5th wheel.
Have made three trips out in the last 6 weeks - two on I 70 - I 68 - I 79 - I 70 - I 72 - I 74 Rt 36 - I 70 And one on I-70
All three where good trips but the Rt36 route is my preferred route, shorter,and faster.
I'll never take I 80 again TRUCK TRAFFIC and CONCRETE ROAD JOINTS THAT WILL SHAKE YOU APART.
Hurry out the weather has been great and Colorado is about three weeks early across the board.
BOL,
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
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paulj wrote: A slight advantage to taking I80 is that you can skip Denver, and climb to Estes from Loveland (e.g. *I80, I76, US34)
The OP can take I70 and avoid Denver also by picking up US34 east of Denver.
Worse choice IMO (and I live here)
if you go this way, now you're stuck going thru Greeley which isn't all that interesting and has a million stupidly timed lights.
I'd just take I-70 to E-470 (yes, toll road, yes, they rob you, but it's all license plate/EZ pass so you don't stop) and you skip all of Denver
You'll be put out on the north side of Denver at I-25 where the traffic jams stop and then just fly up I-25 to Hwy 66 (goes from 3 lanes to 2 lanes right north of Hwy 66, traffic gets much worse) and go to Estes thru 66/36 (same road, changes names) and Lyons. Fewer lights, less traffic, fewer grades, still pretty country.
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