We are new to RVing and are looking for the flattest, warmest route to Las Vegas in January from North Carolina. We don’t need the quickest route, but we are not dawdling either, just trying to avoid gas-guzzling hills and icy roads. We’re not ready to buy/subscribe to an app yet, as we will be working for a year before becoming full time RVers. Thanks for your help!

I-40 all the way.You can't avoid hills, might as well take the gentlest ones.It's winter so why risk some backroute. The freeways are usually the first cleared.

X2 been there. also been in a two day ice storm in texas. watch the weather way ahead of you. couple days ahead and plan for it.for just a quick overnighter a cracker barrel worked great.

If you want to avoid winter weather in January - stay off I-40. I-10 runs close to the border so the sooner you can plot a course to it, the better off you'll be.I had a friend in Albuquerque, NM (on I-40) I was going to pay a visit years ago just after Christmas. When I told him when I'd be coming through he recommended I'd be better off on I-10 that time of year. I took his advice. We spent the night in Las Cruces (on I-10) and saw on the New Mexico weather report that I-40 was closed at Albuquerque due to a blizzard that was expected to keep the highway closed for 3 days. Take I-10 to Phoenix and then work your way north up to Las Vegas over Arizona Route 93 (beautiful scenery!). Avoid Flagstaff because it's altitude is 7000 and prone to snow there too.If you've got a smart phone, Google Maps and WAZE are too very good free apps you can use for guiding you along your route. Just put in where you want to go on the next leg of your trip (like for gas, to eat or spend the night) and those apps will get you there.If you want to use paper maps, they're still available at the welcome centers on the interstates.

I40 has signs that flash for when the snow or conditions get to bad. Should tell you something. You go over many foothills and mountains on it also. Bottom line if you want flat is I10.You do go over some hilly areas as you near Vegas but they are not bad. The only other thing in your winter driving is wind , you are going against it all rgw way. Gas mileage sucks at times.Have fun We stay at Arizona Charlies RV park, reasonable and all pull through sites.

If those two things are "firm" requirements, then South on I-95 to I-10 is about the only route that avoids all the mountains AND gets you out of the "winter" weather ASAP.Don't know what kind of APP you are talking about but most any smart phone will have a choice of several free GPS apps.

Flattest, warmest route to Las Vegas in January from NC

padredw
Nomad
Dec 10, 2019
BB..TX wrote:
Consider dropping down to I-20 and follow it to I-10 in west Texas. That route will be flatter than I-40, and shorter than an all I-10 route. Then keeping an eye on weather forecast. If winter storms are forecast for any where along I-20 then there are many places to drop on down to I-10.

Exactly what I was thinking.
Yosemite_Sam1
Explorer
Dec 10, 2019
I-10 is the flattest --- and the most boring.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Dec 10, 2019
If you want to stay clear of hills and winter chances, a slighter risk is I 85 to I 20.. then figure out AZ from those out that way..
BB_TX
Nomad
Dec 10, 2019
I-40 will definitely have more hills. While being the shortest it will also be more likely to have winter weather issues in January.

Consider dropping down to I-20 and follow it to I-10 in west Texas. That route will be flatter than I-40, and shorter than an all I-10 route. Then keeping an eye on weather forecast. If winter storms are forecast for any where along I-20 then there are many places to drop on down to I-10.
Captain_Happy
Explorer
Dec 10, 2019
I took I-40 last year at the end of December, stay overnight in Moriarty, NM. Woke up at a snow storm that had closed I-40 form Santa Rosa to Gallop. NM. I wasn't towing or driving an RV either. 15 MPH the entire way. So what I'm saying is, if you decide on I-40 that time of year, good luck.

Now as for I-10 goes, it's the southern route that most people who travel this part of country in winter take. When was the last time you drove thru Phoenix, AZ? It's a total nightmare. So here's my route to keep you out of the nightmare, take I-8 over thru Gila Bend (the Phoenix by-pass route). Go west toward Vicksbury, take hwy 72 and head north to Parker, AZ. From Parker, take hwy 62 to Vidal junction, then hwy 95 to Needles, CA, back on I-40 west for about 10 to 15 miles, and get on California 95 north all the way to Las Vegas.

Now if you want some real fun, from Buckeye, AZ take I-40 all the way over to Quartzite, Az. THis time of the year there's a really big get-to-gather. It's where all the RV nuts go in January. I've never been there because I just kind of stay away from 100,000 or more people out in the Desert.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Dec 10, 2019
When we used to have day jobs, we often traveled at that time of year.

My advice:
Be sure that you equipment is all functioning properly. Test the water heater, furnace and the generator well before departure.
Keep provisions and fuel for 3 Days. If you get nailed by weather, it can easily cost you a day, but HEY you can just hold up someplace and watch the people that have to be out there until things clear up. That can take two days. The third is just for margin.
Keep a regular watch on the weather. This is much easier to do with a smart phone these days, it used to be a well worthwhile effort.

Matt - BTDT
PNW_Steve
Explorer
Dec 10, 2019
CA Traveler wrote:
Yup I-10. Take it through Phoenix to 303 north to 60/93. I-10 is often closed on the weekends due to major construction. Check ADOT. If closed take 10, 17, 74, 60/93.

Dd not take 60 off of 17.

If by any chance the 202 construction is done this year then 10, 202 west south of Phoenix, 10, 303.

That sounds like good advice.

I have been stuck due to Winter weather on I-40 on a handful of occasions. I-10 will be a bit longer route but definitely much less likely to have bad winter weather. It does happen, just not nearly as often.

Safe travels.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 10, 2019
Yup I-10. Take it through Phoenix to 303 north to 60/93. I-10 is often closed on the weekends due to major construction. Check ADOT. If closed take 10, 17, 74, 60/93.

Dd not take 60 off of 17.

If by any chance the 202 construction is done this year then 10, 202 west south of Phoenix, 10, 303.
Horsedoc
Explorer II
Dec 10, 2019
I-40 is likely the windiest interstate I have ever driven. It is the most direct and the hills are just rolling from Arkansas to Texas. It is going to be COLD around and thru Flagstaff. Even so, I-40 would be my choice
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Dec 10, 2019
If those two things are "firm" requirements, then South on I-95 to I-10 is about the only route that avoids all the mountains AND gets you out of the "winter" weather ASAP.

Don't know what kind of APP you are talking about but most any smart phone will have a choice of several free GPS apps.