Winter + Mountains + I-40 = Newbie questions

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,