In June, I am planning a trip from Indiana. I'll be passing through Denver on I-70 West to Moab, UT. I'll be driving a 31' Class C towing a Ford Fusion. I planned on staying at the Walmart in Evergreen Colorado the night before heading further West.The route from Evergreen Colorado to Moab looks like it passes through some mountainous terrain. Can someone give me an idea of how the driving is through this area? This would be my first time driving this RV through mountainous terrain.Thanks.

Uh, yep, I-70 between Denver and Moab contains some mountainous terrain. Highway crests about 11,000 feet a couple times. Some 6% grades. I see you are from the midwestern plains, so expect it to be an adventure. Make sure your brakes are in good shape, and be sure to downshift and use engine braking as much as possible. Pay attention to what the 18 wheelers do.I've done that route, it is absolutely beautiful, you will love it. Don't forget to stop several places along the way to soak up the views.

naturist wrote:Uh, yep, I-70 between Denver and Moab contains some mountainous terrain. Highway crests about 11,000 feet a couple times. Some 6% grades. I see you are from the midwestern plains, so expect it to be an adventure. Make sure your brakes are in good shape, and be sure to downshift and use engine braking as much as possible. Pay attention to what the 18 wheelers do.I've done that route, it is absolutely beautiful, you will love it. Don't forget to stop several places along the way to soak up the views.Ditto good brakes and low gear don't be in a hurry there long steep hills to climb and go down

Good summary by naturist. We lived in CO and did the route many times.I would not worry about the road - it is interstate and grades limited (supposedly) to 6%; I think that is about right. And wide and all that. But you will be climbing to 11,000 feet a couple of times and I am wondering about your class C engine capabilities. If it is gas you lose about 4% of the power with each 1000 foot elevation - that is what I have heard many times although I cannot document it. I will tell you we drove a rented class C, no toad, west from Denver many years ago (before we true rv'ers and understood mountain driving) and I actually stopped west of Denver to check and see if we had brakes that locked up and the engine was coming to near standstill!You might have to disconnect the Fusion and drive it separately on occasion.Also, not sure when you would be going to weather is definitely a factor.

When you get closer to Moab, take scenic Hwy 128 down to Hwy 191, rather than driving I-70 all the way to Hwy 191. Hwy 128 goes along the Colorado River.

First hour out of Denver is almost all uphill going from Denver at about 5500' up to the tunnel at what must be around 10,000'. The last few miles to the tunnel are the real killers. Thin air & deceptively steep grade makes you think something is wrong with your engine.The Vail pass is a piece of cake after Loveland pass but the grade going up past Copper Mtn is pretty steep too.Don't try to be the fastest goat up the hill & don't be the fastest one down the hill either. They have runaway ramps on the side for a reason. Don't be needing one.Just west of Denver there is a section of 70 called Floyed Hill. Nasty. Avoid it by taking the easier grade & much more scenic route through Golden & up Clear Creek Canyon. It will dump you back on 70 a little east of Idaho Springs. Lots of twists & turns but well worth it for the scenery.

I-70 from Denver, CO to Moab, UT | Good Sam Community

Thom02099
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2014
Nevadastars wrote:
Great thread! I am planning a trip from Fallon, Nv to Round Lake Mn, then head north. Was hoping to take this route, but I would be coming from the west. Then come back through South Dakota, Wyoming and Utah. I did the entire trip on Google Earth trying to get a feel for the grades, altitude etc.
I have done the Sierras in California on 50 and I-80 many times with no issues. The big rigs can get a little nerve wracking when passing them or them passing you. So, I am hoping this is similar.

Doing this from West to East is a bit different; the terrain is the same, but how it's approached changes.

In Colorado from Grand Junction to Vail, you'll primarily be going uphill most of the time, with some sections where it flattens out. You'll have Vail Pass approach from the west; the perception is that it's an easier approach from west than east, at least to me it is. Drop down into Summit County, then the LOOOOONG climb up to Johnson-Eisenhower tunnels. Fortunately, that climb is 3 lanes all the way up. Just a matter of taking it easy. Once through the tunnels it's mostly down hill/flat to Idaho Springs. From there, you can either stay on I-70 and go up Floyd Hill, then the long, curvy downhill into the Denver western suburbs, or you can exit on to US 6 and take it all the way down to Golden. Many recommend the latter.
Nevadastars
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
Great thread! I am planning a trip from Fallon, Nv to Round Lake Mn, then head north. Was hoping to take this route, but I would be coming from the west. Then come back through South Dakota, Wyoming and Utah. I did the entire trip on Google Earth trying to get a feel for the grades, altitude etc.
I have done the Sierras in California on 50 and I-80 many times with no issues. The big rigs can get a little nerve wracking when passing them or them passing you. So, I am hoping this is similar.
BillMFl
Explorer
Dec 29, 2014
Driving the Rocky mountains with a diesel is no problem other than the very slow trucks on the uphill climb. Hate it when one slow poke decides to pass and blocks the middle lane. Sadly with my gasser now I'm in the slow lane with the trucks on the way up and in 2nd gear much of the way down. Whoopie!
caver
Nomad
Dec 29, 2014
June can be a bit warm in Moab.
littlemo
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014
I'm with 2 Gypsies. You will not find a more beautiful drive than Wolf Creek Pass and stopping at all the places suggested. "Million Dollar Highway" out of Durango to Ouray in your toad is awesome!
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014
sgrizzle wrote:
We are planning a similar route at the end of May...is HWY 6, between golden and I-70 ok for a 30' TT? my wife is skittish of mountain driving, but loves the scenery...I know, tough combo, right?

I pull my 5er & ski boat tandem that route regularily. You should have no difficulties with the road.
sgrizzle
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014
We are planning a similar route at the end of May...is HWY 6, between golden and I-70 ok for a 30' TT? my wife is skittish of mountain driving, but loves the scenery...I know, tough combo, right?
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
If looking for an alternative To I70, I would suggest Hwy 50 in place of 160 (although I find neither route that intimidating). I70 is the most direct, time effective, and easiest route, and is also very scenic. Maybe take 50 going out and 70 coming back if you want a change of pace.
Lauren
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
I have spent a lot of time in CO - living there and returning there; but on scale of 10 as to knowledge I am probably about a 7 or 8. As are others on here for good, solid, honest, no bs info. There is one exception to that rating scale - it is 4runnerguy; I give Ken a 9.9 (nothing /nobody is perfect)! :-)

As a note here - many of us don't mind mountain driving driving to some degree. We have done it a lot and know the parameters. What has to be taken into consideration is where the person is from that is asking - this Forum or anyplace - and their level of personal comfort with it and also their experience with it.

It is not just the road width, shoulder width, guard rails lacking, dropoffs, hairpin turns requiring two lanes with your rig, elevation difference (up or down), rig size or capabilities, etc., it is the fact that you have to deal with others who have the same issues. Many times those - and also others - who feel they are owed the half out of the middle and it is not fun nor safe dealing with that.

Or they are scared to death being their (probably did not ask or realize the danger, etc) so they drive 10mph - people on this Forum have ever recommended others to drive slow; this is one of the most dangerous things people can do as it causes irritated drivers and accidents.

Sorry I digressed a little but roads leads to the comfort and safety issue.

You will note he says this is his first time driving a rig thru the mountains.

BTW, I have many times driven these roads being discussed here.
4runnerguy
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
2gypsies wrote:
I'd still recommend Wolf Creek Pass over I-70. :)
I'm a Colorado native and imagine there are only a few on this forum that have driven these roads as much as I have. There is no other road in CO where truck speed limits are so low as Wolf Creek Pass. CDOT has set the speed limit at 35 MPH for trucks on I-70, not 11 to 18 MPH as on Wolf Creek Pass in recognition of the difficulty of Wolf Creek Pass. Again, if you're used to mountain driving, it won't cause problems, but if you're a little new to the mountain driving experience . . .