Thinking about heading west early next month on I-70 to Colorado & Utah. I read somewhere earlier this year that I-70 St.Louis to Kansas City was in very poor condition. Has anyone driven it lately ??Thanks

the highway is fine it's the traffic that is bad, truck after truck going both ways, ever one trying to go over the speed limit,after you get to KC the traffic thins out.

Can't advise on I70, but have an alternate to offer.Last year we used route 36 across MO between Hannibal and St. Joseph. All divided highway and in good condition. We continued on route 36 across KS and picked up I70 again at Colby KS. Route 36 is 2 lane across KS, but little traffic. Perhaps a bit slower than the Interstates, but a much more relaxing drive. If you go that way, the Pony Express Barn in Marysville KS was interesting. Prairie Dog State Park near Norton KS was a nice overnight and had W/E sites.

I think that US-36 across Kansas is a lot smoother road than I-70.I like to get off the interstate and see a little more.

Thanks I will take a look at 36 also.

rgraham wrote:the highway is fine it's the traffic that is bad, truck after truck going both ways, ever one trying to go over the speed limit,after you get to KC the traffic thins out.X2Traffic is horrible!Doug

I-70 St.Louis to Kansas City & beyond ? | Good Sam Community

trailertraveler
Explorer
Sep 26, 2013
okgc wrote:
Well we took the advise here and drove east on US36 out of Denver into Missouri.
Nice road and I expect we will drive it again.
Note: There is not many campgrounds along this road in Kansas...
I guess many is a term subject to interpretation. When we last drove it in 2012; there were city parks that allowed camping in St. Francis, Atwood, Oberlin, Phillipsburg, Kensington, Mankato, Courtland, Belleville, Washington, and Marysville; commercial parks in Oberlin, Phillipsburg, Smith Center, and Seneca; and State Parks near Norton and Hiawatha. Some of the city parks were free some charged, some had hookups others not.
Horsedoc
Explorer II
Sep 25, 2013
Not sure how far west you are going, but when heading that way, we drive north a little further and catch I-80 through Iowa. Out side of Oklahoma, Missouri is one boring state to cross. My own opinion of course
okgc
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
Well we took the advise here and drove east on US36 out of Denver into Missouri.
Nice road and I expect we will drive it again.
Note: There is not many campgrounds along this road in Kansas.

We had the added bonus that last weekend across Kansas they were having the US36 Treasure Hunt with garage and flea market sales in almost every town for 400 miles.
lbrjet
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
I drove St. Louis to KC last Friday. Road was not in bad condition at all.
sljohnson1938
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
I would agree with US 36 across KS. we drove that way in 2006 and thought it was good then. Not sure about now. Plenty of small city parks to stay at.
hotpepperkid
Explorer
Aug 16, 2013
Just took US 36 from Indianapolis to the Mississippi River. Great road.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Aug 15, 2013
Doing the secondary roads, the ones that used to be primary roads before the interstates are almost always good. In bits & pieces we have done almost all of hwy 50 from Ocean City, MD to Sacramento, CA. If you have the time they are a great way to see the country.
Shovelhead_Dave
Explorer
Aug 15, 2013
Just drove from St. Loo to Columbia, halfwqay to KC, and as others have said
the truck traffic SUCKS! My preferred route to Co. has been 36(North), 160
(South) much better road and very few trucks and MUCH better scenery than the
interstate. You can also go 50/94 more to the middle of the state.
dkreuzen
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
I70 from Denver to Utah is all good.
sljkansas
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
I agree with CloudDriver, US 36 across Mo, and into IL. is a great road. I use that route to go see my Mom in Central IL. Run I-74 from Indy and Pickup I 72 in Chanpaign IL. You can stop and Hannibal Mo. and see viist the sites for Mark Twain.