Which route would be less higher grade
I was thinking of taking I 80 over Colorado but was thinking of maybe trying I 70 but heard that Hwy 50 might also be good, so my question is how is 50 over 70? Is 50 flatter over all and are there an...
Forum Discussion
I-80 may not have the grades but it can have some nasty winds across Wyoming. Can make towing a challenge if it's a cross wind. If it's a headwind, plan on some extra time and a lot of extra gas! Probably only driven this 50 times so it's the one I have the least experience with.
I-70 does have some long grades, especially if you are going east to west. Downhills on Vail Pass and the west side of the tunnel are both around 7 miles of 7% grade. But lots of RV's and trucks do this every year. Great scenery.
Monarch Pass on US 50 has a pretty long downhill >6% grade on the west side. Also, whether you come out of Denver on US 285 or up from Pueblo on US 50 (along the river so no passes there!), either route is much less of a pull than I-70 out of Denver to the tunnel. Likewise a scenic route.
To avoid Monarch Pass (westbound) you can take US 285 south out of Poncha Springs (Poncha Pass is easy). At Saguache, head west on CO 114 and connect back up with US 50 east of Gunnison. Reverse the directions if you're going west to east. A lot of extra miles just to avoid the downhill, but it is an option.
I-70 does have some long grades, especially if you are going east to west. Downhills on Vail Pass and the west side of the tunnel are both around 7 miles of 7% grade. But lots of RV's and trucks do this every year. Great scenery.
Monarch Pass on US 50 has a pretty long downhill >6% grade on the west side. Also, whether you come out of Denver on US 285 or up from Pueblo on US 50 (along the river so no passes there!), either route is much less of a pull than I-70 out of Denver to the tunnel. Likewise a scenic route.
To avoid Monarch Pass (westbound) you can take US 285 south out of Poncha Springs (Poncha Pass is easy). At Saguache, head west on CO 114 and connect back up with US 50 east of Gunnison. Reverse the directions if you're going west to east. A lot of extra miles just to avoid the downhill, but it is an option.
