Las Vegas to Denver via I-70 any tips on roads

I drive this I-70 -> I-15 Route to see Dad in SoCal. As alluded to above, the stretch from Salina UT to Green River UT is 110 Miles of NUTTIN'. Signs by Salina warn of this. Just Ranch Exits. No Services; no Cell coverage for much of it. So, Fuel up in Salina or the Town West of Salina (Richfield UT). Green River is North of, and off the Interstate proper, so making it to Fruita or Grand Junction CO is ideal. Fuel prices will be more competitive.

That said, part of that way-boring stretch is ancient Seabed Uplift, and REALLY nice Sightseeing. It has a few Grades, complete with Truck Runaway Ramps. Plenty of easy on/easy off Rest Stops w/Pit Toilets and panoramic Photo Ops.

TyroneandGladys wrote:
I am confused it is a straight shot from Las Vegas to Denver on I 25. map

That's Las Vegas, NM. I think the OP (PappaV) is talking about Las VEgas, NV...

I am confused it is a straight shot from Las Vegas to Denver on I 25. map

Do a search for, "Beaver UT tire scam revisited" under General topics I believe for more coverage. The fuel stop is safe but old JimBob in his golf cart is a crook. Also the KOA was there last August the same as it was five years ago.

Beaver UT. If you stop there for gas or lunch a person on a golf cart, from the tire store across the parking lot will examine your rig and when you return he will tell pou how warn your tires are but"can give you a great deal" on a new set! Just know what he is saying and let your own judgement guide you!

PappaV wrote:
Thanks for the tip on 128. Yes I meant I-25. Looking to get back to Moab in a decent amount of time with the best views and least amount of stress. Would that be going back I-70?

Heading from I-70 in Colorado to Moab, the stretch between about Fruita and where Utah 128 actually gets near the river again is deadly boring. You're up on the plateau there and there's nothing at all. Then once you hit the river on 128,it's very nice, not a lot of elevation change if I recall, but much more scenic. In Moab, we stayed at the KOA at the south end of town last July, it was nice but not spectacular. Leave the 5W at the Arches VC parking lot though, you do NOT want to tow it around in the park. Heading west on I-70 from Moab it gets pretty desolate, although scenic, between Green River and Salina. Spotted Wolf Canyon is the only big climb UP, going west.

Just noticed you are new to the forum. Welcome!

All the roads in the SW quadrant of Colorado are very scenic. From Denver, you could also go south to Pueblo, then take Hwy 50 across. See Royal Gorge and Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nat'l Park on this route. But coming back on I-70 is by far the least amount of miles.

Janss wrote:
If you want to stay at a nice State Park with hookups, check out James M Robb State Park in Fruita, CO (west side of Grand Junction). Then visit Colorado Nat'l Monument from there.

If you come back to Moab via I-70, drive on scenic Hwy 128 along the Colorado River down to Hwy 191, instead of turning off I-70 at Hwy 191.

If by 87 you mean I-25, that is a fine drive. 160 is a pretty drive and totally doable. Just be aware of Wolf Creek Pass. Road is very good, long climb, then just gear down on descent. I've never been on 491.

Thanks for the tip on 128. Yes I meant I-25. Looking to get back to Moab in a decent amount of time with the best views and least amount of stress. Would that be going back I-70?

Been a while but I think there is a spot as you cross into CO with 100 miles between fuel.

G7ARYM wrote:
Last August the drive east was easy with little traffic after the heat in Vegas. Stopped in Beaver KOA but be aware of a tire scam at the truck stop at the north end of town. The climb through CO is mostly gentle until around Vail where it was nice to have a turbo diesel at altitude. You will enjoy the trip.

We stayed there many years ago and it was a KOA and again the next year and it was not a KOA and stayed there 3 or 4 years later and the lay out was all different. I don't remember if it was a KOA then or not, but mentioned to the gal behind the counter that we had stayed there 4 years ago and she said ah honey it has changed hands 3 times since then