We are contemplating a trip in a general January/February time frame. Two possible segments, both on I-40, have us a bit concerned. One is in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The other is in Tennessee and North Carolina.We have very limited experience in RV driving (in hundreds of miles, all clear dry pavement,) have not driven anything this long (36 feet) before, and really dislike snow/ice.on the eastern.I know there's some serious elevation on the western stretch, and less so on the eastern. I've hunted but not found any good source of elevation info along routes.Experience, insights, and/or sources for elevation data invited and appreciated.

k6ncx wrote:We are contemplating a trip in a general January/February time frame. Two possible segments, both on I-40, have us a bit concerned. One is in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The other is in Tennessee and North Carolina.We have very limited experience in RV driving (in hundreds of miles, all clear dry pavement,) have not driven anything this long (36 feet) before, and really dislike snow/ice.on the eastern.I know there's some serious elevation on the western stretch, and less so on the eastern. I've hunted but not found any good source of elevation info along routes.Experience, insights, and/or sources for elevation data invited and appreciated.Simply watch the weather, be prepared to hold up when you need to. never allow the propane & water to drop below 1/2 tank. heat as required.You will be climbing all the way from the Miss. river to Flagstaff. 7011 feet then a quick drop to Needles Ca. then warm :)

I'm much less concerned (perhaps out of ignorance) about the tanks that about driving.

k6ncx wrote:We are contemplating a trip in a general January/February time frame. Two possible segments, both on I-40, have us a bit concerned. One is in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The other is in Tennessee and North Carolina.We have very limited experience in RV driving (in hundreds of miles, all clear dry pavement,) have not driven anything this long (36 feet) before, and really dislike snow/ice.on the eastern.I know there's some serious elevation on the western stretch, and less so on the eastern. I've hunted but not found any good source of elevation info along routes.Experience, insights, and/or sources for elevation data invited and appreciated.Not sure I can be much help, but here's an elevation map of I-40 through NM, AZ, and CA: I-40 Elevation Map NM-AZ-CA. As to the weather, you are right that you may have to confront your dislike of snow and ice, but other than keeping an eye on the 10-day forecast and, as was suggested above, being prepared to hole up for a while, I'm not sure what to suggest. FWIW, we're planning a similar trip from GA to CA, and we're taking I-10. 73 Skip K4EAK

Unless there is something specific you want to see that is I40, I would take I10 to where it meets I20 in western Texas and then on to the east coast, or where ever your destination is. You will still have to watch the weather, but there will be minimal hills and no mountains except for around Tucson and some in New Mexico, about 4600 feet in elevation, not the 7000+ you will find on I40. I can tell you this much, that I40 through Arkansas is terrible. Potholes and bad sections that will rattle your fillings loose and will screw up a front end alignment. We live in Arkansas and I refuse to drive I40, we go out of our way and take side roads to get around I40. I don't know what Arkansas does with its highway money, but it does not spend any of it on maintaining I40.Best wishes and be safe in you travels.

we just beat a storm back from the wild west where we used 40. Our concern was flagstaff to Albuquerque.Check out the weather predictions a few days before in the highest elevation areas and do not linger if you find a clear path. You can also get a map of snow on the ground just for reference.

Winter + Mountains + I-40 = Newbie questions | Good Sam Community

Tom_Barb
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
k6ncx wrote:
We are contemplating a trip in a general January/February time frame. Two possible segments, both on I-40, have us a bit concerned. One is in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The other is in Tennessee and North Carolina.

We have very limited experience in RV driving (in hundreds of miles, all clear dry pavement,) have not driven anything this long (36 feet) before, and really dislike snow/ice.on the eastern.

I know there's some serious elevation on the western stretch, and less so on the eastern. I've hunted but not found any good source of elevation info along routes.

Experience, insights, and/or sources for elevation data invited and appreciated.

Simply watch the weather, be prepared to hold up when you need to. never allow the propane & water to drop below 1/2 tank. heat as required.

You will be climbing all the way from the Miss. river to Flagstaff. 7011 feet then a quick drop to Needles Ca. then warm :)
k6ncx
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
I'm much less concerned (perhaps out of ignorance) about the tanks that about driving.
Kaz
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
k6ncx wrote:
We are contemplating a trip in a general January/February time frame. Two possible segments, both on I-40, have us a bit concerned. One is in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The other is in Tennessee and North Carolina.

We have very limited experience in RV driving (in hundreds of miles, all clear dry pavement,) have not driven anything this long (36 feet) before, and really dislike snow/ice.on the eastern.

I know there's some serious elevation on the western stretch, and less so on the eastern. I've hunted but not found any good source of elevation info along routes.

Experience, insights, and/or sources for elevation data invited and appreciated.

Not sure I can be much help, but here's an elevation map of I-40 through NM, AZ, and CA: I-40 Elevation Map NM-AZ-CA. As to the weather, you are right that you may have to confront your dislike of snow and ice, but other than keeping an eye on the 10-day forecast and, as was suggested above, being prepared to hole up for a while, I'm not sure what to suggest. FWIW, we're planning a similar trip from GA to CA, and we're taking I-10.

73 Skip K4EAK
Grandpere
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
Unless there is something specific you want to see that is I40, I would take I10 to where it meets I20 in western Texas and then on to the east coast, or where ever your destination is. You will still have to watch the weather, but there will be minimal hills and no mountains except for around Tucson and some in New Mexico, about 4600 feet in elevation, not the 7000+ you will find on I40.

I can tell you this much, that I40 through Arkansas is terrible. Potholes and bad sections that will rattle your fillings loose and will screw up a front end alignment. We live in Arkansas and I refuse to drive I40, we go out of our way and take side roads to get around I40. I don't know what Arkansas does with its highway money, but it does not spend any of it on maintaining I40.

Best wishes and be safe in you travels.
dcason
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
we just beat a storm back from the wild west where we used 40. Our concern was flagstaff to Albuquerque.

Check out the weather predictions a few days before in the highest elevation areas and do not linger if you find a clear path. You can also get a map of snow on the ground just for reference.
jerseyjim
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
During our winter snowbird run (From NJ to the Mesa AZ area)...we ignore I-40 completely. At one point in our trip...taking I-95 down the east coast to pick up either I-20 or I-10 west...it seems that even I-20 is subject to storms....so we simply run another day south on 95 and pickuip I-10 all the way out.

More cgs are open all year on I-10 then anywhere else which makes things much easier for us. And the weather is reasonable...mostly NICE! I have no desire whatsoever to drive my RV in snow.

Now...returning in early April, we have used I-40 without problems.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
I do some driving in the winter. Google CA, AZ, and NM DOT weather. You can get a lot of road info. Wind is a big problem in the winter Also black ice. I winterize on the road if temps drop below 10 degrees. Try to use interstates. Drive slowly and you'll be OK. If things are looking bad don't hesitate to hunker down between two trucks at a truck stop. They sure block the wind. 73s

BTW, Having an air compressor along to blow out water lines works for me. I winterize and de-winterize on the road. You being from Alameda don't know if you winterize or not.
gbopp
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
k6ncx wrote:
I'm much less concerned (perhaps out of ignorance) about the tanks that about driving.

If you get stranded along the road because of snow/ice, you may wish you had been more concerned about the tanks.
At least, watch your fuel tank level. :)
Busskipper
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
k6ncx wrote:
We are contemplating a trip in a general January/February time frame. Two possible segments, both on I-40, have us a bit concerned. One is in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The other is in Tennessee and North Carolina.

We have very limited experience in RV driving (in hundreds of miles, all clear dry pavement,) have not driven anything this long (36 feet) before, and really dislike snow/ice.on the eastern.

I know there's some serious elevation on the western stretch, and less so on the eastern. I've hunted but not found any good source of elevation info along routes.

Experience, insights, and/or sources for elevation data invited and appreciated.

Suggestion - Let's be smart - Coast to Coast as a second RV trip - not really something I'd advise - in the WINTER - NO!!!!!!! just not smart.

I've done this RV'ing thing for over 50 years, and had a Coach Built for Winter Travel and I'd think twice about Coast to Coast in the Winter.

If you need to see someone - Take a plane - If you are going to try to see the sights - think about it - most CG's are closed in the Winter, so where will you stay, what will you see.

Suggestion - do the Winter loop in Southern Utah - Arizona - New Mexico - you will find some interesting things to see and some will even be open. You will learn how to travel - you will still be close to home if you have an issue (and trust me you will have a few)

The second part of the trip would be better if it were in the spring - more open more enjoyable and the east Coast is Really Fun in the Spring,

JMHO,
ken56
Explorer
Dec 12, 2015
Eastern portion of I-40 you have relatively tame conditions compared to the western. The only issue is between Newport TN to just east of Asheville. Out of Newport you have the Pigeon River Gorge which is hilly and twisty for about 45 miles and flattens out going into Asheville. Then East headed out of Asheville you will have a long decent, about 12 miles worth of grade where the semi truck speed limit is like 35 mph. Its really not that bad, just gear down, slow down and use the brakes when needed. I-40 is well maintained so issues of ice and snow are cleaned up quickly being that its THE main east/west artery. Watch the weather reports and be prepared to hold up a day or so if needed.