When we leave Florida, we will be heading west through Texas and onto Albuquerque. At that point we will be heading north. The most direct route is through Denver going to Sweet Grass, MT. I am also considering an optional route going through Salt Lake City. Has anyone taken this route. Opinions. How much extra mountain driving would I be giving myself?

I have done both routs I prefer Denver. I do not like the salt lake route. With that said the Salt flats are pretty impressive. Other than that both routs have their mountains. My preference is through Denver. I pull a 24ft FW.

If you want to avoid mountains go further north, cross the Mississippi in Iowa (avoiding St Louis) and west from there missing most mountainous areas all together until northern WY or western MT. If you go thru the Black Hills you'll see a few big hills.This involves a lot of Interstate hopping in the midsection of the country--I75-I64->I-65-I-74 to Iowa. But it's flat. You can get on I-80 and stay there or hop up to I-90 which runs you right thru MT. We've taken that route a number of times whenever we are going to the northern tier.

I'd take Denver over Salt Lake City any day.

agesilaus wrote:If you want to avoid mountains go further north, cross the Mississippi in Iowa (avoiding St Louis) and west from there missing most mountainous areas all together until northern WY or western MT. But,, where would you get great green chili salsa if you don't go thru Albuquerque?

My personal preference going north from Albuquerque is US 285, not I-25. You will cross Poncha Pass, Trout Creek Pass, and Kenosha Pass, all easy with an RV. In Denver, take C-470 to I-70, to I-76, to I-25, which takes you around the northwest side of the city. Dakota Ridge RV Park is just off C-470, if you need an overnight stop. Or you could stay at Bear Creek Lake Park (look up "City of Lakewood Parks and Rec"), which is right at the interchange of US 285 and C-470. Then you would be close enough to have dinner at the Morrison Inn (Mexican) or The Fort (for buffalo or elk steak).

Optional routes | Good Sam Community

fanrgs
Explorer
Apr 13, 2018
Grit dog wrote:
Or The Original Chubbys which is now north of Invesco field. Still the same recipe!
It was never "Invesco" or "Sports Authority" stadium for any Broncos fan. It has always been, and always will be, "Mile High Stadium" (at least since it was "Bears Stadium" when the Broncos first began playing there in 1960 and the Denver Bears AAA baseball team was Denver's only professional sports franchise).
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 13, 2018
fanrgs wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
But,, where would you get great green chili salsa if you don't go thru Albuquerque?
. Yea, but if the OP comes through Denver and stays along C-470, he can get "The Burrito That Ate Juarez" smothered with as much green chile, guacamole, and sour cream as his heart can withstand at the Morrison Inn!

Or The Original Chubbys which is now north of Invesco field. Still the same recipe! Yum

Never had the burro from the Morrison inn but it sounds awesome.
fanrgs
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018
Grit dog wrote:
But,, where would you get great green chili salsa if you don't go thru Albuquerque?
. Yea, but if the OP comes through Denver and stays along C-470, he can get "The Burrito That Ate Juarez" smothered with as much green chile, guacamole, and sour cream as his heart can withstand at the Morrison Inn!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 09, 2018
kcfissel wrote:
agesilaus wrote:
If you want to avoid mountains go further north, cross the Mississippi in Iowa (avoiding St Louis) and west from there missing most mountainous areas all together until northern WY or western MT.

But,, where would you get great green chili salsa if you don't go thru Albuquerque?

May be the most important part of the trip between home and AK!!
BUT, if you wait til late summer, you can have fresh green chili drop shipped to your home. Just did it for the first time last year. Got 50lbs. Spent an afternoon roasting and freezing it. Have green chili all year now!
But you can't go to Sadies or Los Cuates unless you actually go to Albq....yum
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 08, 2018
93 is a beautiful, easy drive!!
Tee_Jay
Explorer
Apr 08, 2018
If you like open plains, cross at Sweetgrass. If you like mountain and lake scenery, take US 93 north out of Missoula, MT. That will take you directly yo Banff and Lake Louise on the TransCanada, and continues as the Icefields Parkway to Jasper.
lakeside013104
Explorer
Apr 07, 2018
We have been the SL and the Sweetgrass routes. Less mountain travel by way of SG. We traveled with 39' fiver and a TC. No problems either route.

Enjoy your trip. Try not to rush the Alaska Highway. Take plenty of time to see the sights.

Lakeside
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 06, 2018
Do you want interstates or scenic beauty? :)

1282 miles from Albuquerque to Sweetgrass via 550 at Bernalilio, NM to Farmington, NM then 64/491 to Cortez, CO to Montecello, UT. Then 191 north to I-70 west to UT6/191 to Spanish Fork & north on I-15 - VERY SCENIC, no big mountains.

1307 miles from Albuquerque to Sante Fe on I-25 & picking up 285 to I-70 to Denver (eliminates a lot of the south Denver area traffic from Colorado Spring north) - very scenic

1337 miles from Albuquerque via I-25 to I-90 in Montana to Billings, Great Falls & to I-15 to Sweetgrass. - boring and semi trucks
fanrgs
Explorer
Apr 06, 2018
My personal preference going north from Albuquerque is US 285, not I-25. You will cross Poncha Pass, Trout Creek Pass, and Kenosha Pass, all easy with an RV. In Denver, take C-470 to I-70, to I-76, to I-25, which takes you around the northwest side of the city. Dakota Ridge RV Park is just off C-470, if you need an overnight stop. Or you could stay at Bear Creek Lake Park (look up "City of Lakewood Parks and Rec"), which is right at the interchange of US 285 and C-470. Then you would be close enough to have dinner at the Morrison Inn (Mexican) or The Fort (for buffalo or elk steak).
kcfissel
Explorer
Apr 06, 2018
agesilaus wrote:
If you want to avoid mountains go further north, cross the Mississippi in Iowa (avoiding St Louis) and west from there missing most mountainous areas all together until northern WY or western MT.

But,, where would you get great green chili salsa if you don't go thru Albuquerque?

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