Looking for I70 alterantives Colorado trip in February - .

Errr yeah I70 only really stinks when the snow is actively coming down. They keep it very clear, and when you see the big accidents, that's when people are traveling in the blizzardy conditions. Since you're not in a hurry, you can plan the crossing when the weather is good. Like we have had barely any wintery days here this year.

The NM route can be your backup plan. When I moved cross country (Chicago to CA that time) in winter, I took the I-70 route, but the movers took the NM route.

I just spoke with a campground in NM. They said the 14 day quarantine is for those that are on extended stays. A month or more. Facilities are limited.

I hope you have a bit of flexibility as to when you travel. None of the routes are great if we get a snowstorm. (Kinda hoping we get something soon, though - this drought is getting scary). Even taking I-25 south from Denver over Monument Hill can be a challenging tow in a snowstorm. And Raton Pass on I-25 can also be a real bear during a snowstorm if you think you want to head south to I-40. Leaving a day or two early or waiting a couple of days after a snowstorm would be the best bet.

Given that advice, you might consider taking US 285 SW out of Denver down to US 160 and take that west. The passes on US 285 out of Denver are really quite easy by Colorado standards. But do not attempt this route if they are predicting snow for the southern part of the state as Wolf Creek Pass on US 160 is quite high and can get walloped with a lot (think feet) of snow.

You can also take US 285 out of Denver down to Poncha Springs and then west on US 50 to Grand Junction. But again Monarch Pass just west of Poncha Springs is one to be aware of if snow is predicted. Or if snow isn't an issue, at Montrose head south on US 550 to Ridgway, then west on CO 62/145/141 to US 491 and over to US 191. You avoid and I-70 driving but miss Moab if that was a destination.

Of course even the roads in southern Utah and Arizona can get his with snow. One year we were in Tucson at the end of December and had to tow back up I-17. The 30 mile stretch south of Flagstaff was really quite interesting, made all the more so by others on the highway who had no idea how to drive in snow.

I-70 can be a pain, especially with skier traffic, although I've heard it's a lot better this year with many of the ski resorts limiting visitation through a reservation system.

IMHO your route selection may be determined by if and where the snow might fall during your travel window. Keep an eye on the weather for a few days before your departure.

I would go with the above advice. Check the weather forecasts, pick a good time and a short day of travel will get you over the hump. You can easily make it most or all the way to Grand Junction within your 5 hour window.

If travel conditions and winter weather are a concern definitely do NOT consider hwy 160.

tsh1785 wrote:

Looking for I70 alternatives for a Colorado trip with my TT coming from Eastern Colorado (2500lb Lance 1575 TT) in February.

I have traveled I70 many times before but hate it (I have appropriate equipment like chains, new snow tires, Good truck, generators, TT is good for winter camping and does fine even in Northern MN).

Yes I have to go in February. I have the whole month. I am traveling to Southern Utah/Northern AZ.

Unfortunately New Mexico is closed to travelers and going around isn't an option for me. I don't want to risk getting stranded in NM as they require a 2 week quarantine.

I can only spare an extra 500 miles (from straying from I70)as I'm bringing my truck to sell so I'm low on options for going around.

I've planned several weeks of time in case of an emergency, time is no issue.

I tend to travel 3-5 hours a day and stop, no problem going slow...I'm not a fan of going 80mph though as many Coloradans are.

I have considered Pueblo, CO to Grand Junction and down 285 through Utah.

I have also looked at going down Hwy160 out of Walsenburg, CO but I really have no idea as I've only ever gone North of I70.

I would love any advice you have to offer if you've ever been out this way in the winter or live in the South West part of CO! Thank you!

Lotta ? above - :h

First off I've driven most of the Routes possible, in almost every season and Condition - Simple Answer is Why Not I-70, as they Plow it and keep it Open and Safe?

First off it's the Safest route Possible - Sure you need to go through the Tunnel - BUT - because it's an "I" it's Plowed and Safe. If you get in/on the other Routes - RT 50 and RT 160 - you are looking at routes that are doable but Much More Weather Dependent ........ So you can do them, you just need to be much more willing to Hunker down for Days to let things improve - A note here is that the Snow has been sparse so far this Year. IMHO there is a stronger likelihood of a good storm in February - it's just Due.

So if you are looking to just explore a Bit - when you hit Denver head to Golden and take RT 6 along Clear Creek - Always Plowed, as it has bus traffic to the Casinos - add to that that it is just a Beautiful less crowded drive that we ALWAYS take - all the way to Idaho Springs, where you will capture I-70 and Continue to Breck and Vail before getting to Glenwood Springs where it basically will open up with little snow or other issues.

When you enter Utah on I-70 look to exit (exit 214) to RT 128 - this follows the Colorado River into Moab - Beautiful and Shorter. From there just head South on RT 191, for the most part you are in the flat lands taking you South to Southern Utah and Northern Arizona.

MAP - MAP HERE

Sure you can take Monarch Pass or Wolf Creek Pass - but - would certainly not be My Choice - Fun without Snow - but often it takes a good bit of time to be able to see the blacktop after a good Snow.

Last note here - for Colorado Use the https://www.cotrip.org/map.htm#/default?StillCameraId=10829 - CDOT will be a lot of help in seeing the roads and the condition in real Time - I always like to see what they look like before I drive them. The cameras allow just that.

Hope this is of some Help,

We were passing through NM in late June/ July when lock down was put in place. A lot of confusion.

When we passed back through NM in Sep (east bound this time) - the rule was one night rest stops only, otherwise quarantine in your first CG for 14 days.

Was on I-10 and intended my only stop to be for fuel, but high winds, thunderstorms and flood waters running over I-10 west of Deming told me it was time to get my butt off the freeway. Did stop for about 16 hours, and left in the morning.

You can probably do I-40 across the state in two stops, just watch forecast for winds. Had a friend once stuck five days on I-40 in Winslow, AZ. When the 18-wheelers stop traveling due to high winds, RVs need to stay parked also.

I've flown into and out of New Mexico several times since March. Never had any trouble. Airport is open. Hotels are open. Restaurants can be difficult. But there is no way I'd adjust a driving trip to not go through NM if that was my best option.

I doubt you will have any issue with quarantine if you just hang out at camp until you roll the next morning. That is quarantine.

No restaurants, no bars, no shopping, no gatherings etc.

Where are you trying to end up? 285 does not go anywhere near Utah goes down into New Mexico and heads south east down to Roswell and then on into Texas.

However I drive 160 to the Durango/Mancos area many times a year from the Denver area. Depending on where I am coming from in Denver I take 285 or 25 down to Walsenberg. I personally prefer 285 down past saguache to center and 112 go right come out in del Norte save you 10- 15 miles. Hit 160 the rest of the way into mancos. Wolf creek pass at least for me is a ho hum pass nothing crazy at all a couple hairpins on the west side but lanes are plenty wide

160 heads on into cortez and beyond pretty much right to the 4 corners so depending on exactly where you are headed you have some choices to make in Cortez as far as route.
I would take that route over 50 to grand junction and then south at least if you are heading down to northern Arizona save ton of miles

You can Travel thru NM, you won't be stop by the State police. If you hit Pueblo then I'd take 50 to GJ you have Monarch Pass and Cerro Pass, but CDOT keeps them open.