Chicago>Denver>Glenwod Springs>Bryce Canyn>Tucson. November

have you considered Amtrac? They have a glenwood springs special.

Going west from Denver to Glenwood Springs on I-70 has two major passes.

Eisenhoswer Tunnel is 11,013' with 6 miles of 7% and 2-3 miles of 5-6%. And then down. After a bit you get to Vail Pass. which is 10,603'. Another 7% for 7-8 miles.

And some curves as well with speed reduced signs.

Then you get to Glenwood Canyon which is beautiful - very beautiful - but curvy as well.

It is all interstate so well protected on the sides, etc.

ice2fire - I 70 has very long grades up and down. Going west from Denver there is a many mile long steep to very steep grade to the Eisenhower Tunnel. Then a big downhill on the other side. And many other long ups and downs. And these are at higher than usual elevations. The Eisenhower is over 11,000 ft high.

This is easy in a good car in good weather. It is hard on any RV. I have done it, but do not consider it fun at all.

RFCN2 wrote:


If you have not done I 70 before I can tell you that is a tough road when there is not snow in an RV. .

What is so bad about the I70 ?

(Yes, I70, NOT I76 - I guess I should use my glasses when I'm reading those Google maps !!)

Thanks so far. Looks like it's a good idea we have an American Red Cross Weather radio ! A small TV might not come amiss either !

ice2fire wrote:
Chicago to Denver should be straightforward ?

From November 20th this year:

Denver to Glenwood Springs, on I80/76 over the Mountains with our TV ? Weather conditions a problem ?

Glenwood Springs to Bryce Canyou on Hwy 50 and Hwy 89 in our TV ? Weather conditions a problem ?

Non-stop from Chicago to Bryce Canyon.

2-3 days in Bryce Canyon then onto Flagstaff on Hwy 89 ? Same questions as above.

Flagstaff to Tucson OK ?

How long will all this take us ?

Thanks for any responses !

How much snow and ice will the be than?

It is certainly possible for you to hit really bad weather on that route. Just keep your eye on the weather reports and you will make it, eventually.

If you have not done I 70 before I can tell you that is a tough road when there is not snow in an RV. And Bryce Canyon is above 8,000 ft. Plus Flagstaff can really get bombed with snow in the winter.

But if you are from Ontario you have been in cold snowy weather. Driving an RV in the mountains when it is snowing in the winter is not my idea of a good time.

ice2fire wrote:
Denver to Glenwood Springs, on I80/76 over the Mountains with our TV ? Weather conditions a problem ?

I think you mean I-70

We can get some decent snows in November. But the interstate is a major thoroughfare and needs to be maintained. CDOT does a good job of keeping snows in check. There can be the dump that surprises travelers and are times it does shut down the highway.

Problems can occur at the Eisenhower Tunnel if hazmat truck need to be metered through it if Loveland Pass is closed. Usually it closed for avalanche control, but November is generally way too early for that concern... but it is on chance sometimes closed due to an accident and truck could then still be metered.

At the time of year you should generally be OK on this stretch, just be aware that you could hit some significant snows. Keep an eye on COTRIP.org for latest conditions.

Denver under normal conditions should take around 3 hours.

We usually go in reverse part of that way in December to see our Kids in Salt Lake City for Christmas. So we go Tucson To Flagstaff, then up Highway 89. We do this every year. We have encountered snow from time to time. But just keep an eye on the weather report and give the road crews a few hours after a storm to clean the roads. But my guess is you'll be fine. Just understand there is a large detour on hwy 89 due to a landslide last year. you can read about it here:

89 Landslide