Cody, Wy, to Moab, Utah

[DBH]

Hi All,
I'm in the planning stages for a 3-4 week trip out West next year, end of Aug. to mid Sept. We will be staying at Buffalo Bill State Park outside of Cody for a week, then traveling down to Dead Horse Point State Park outside of Moab, Utah. With a stopover about half way down.
Has anyone done this? I'm looking for the easiest/best route.
This will be my first trip towing over the Rockies, so I'm not sure what the roads are like, steep I'm sure.
If anyone has suggestions for where to stay at the halfway point, please let me know.
We don't mind towing 8-10 hrs a day, even longer ( we drive straight thru from the Philly area to Disney with the trailer)
Thanks,
Dave

[CloudDriver]

DBH wrote:
Thanks Everyone
After seeing these pics, and reading about places that people say I should really not miss, one of two things are going to happen..........
1) we will be spending a lot more time then 3 or 4 weeks out West next year
2) we will be going out every year
or a 3rd possibility
We spend 4 weeks or more every year !!!! I like this option

We have done 6 trips from NJ to the West so far with each being 8-9 weeks. Will be heading out again this year for another 8+ week trip.

It's a long drive to get from NJ to one or more of NM, AZ, CO, UT, and WY so we want to have as much time as possible to enjoy the benefits of making the long drive.

[DBH]

Thanks Everyone
After seeing these pics, and reading about places that people say I should really not miss, one of two things are going to happen..........
1) we will be spending a lot more time then 3 or 4 weeks out West next year
2) we will be going out every year
or a 3rd possibility
We spend 4 weeks or more every year !!!! I like this option

[lbrjet]

I drove from Flaming Gorge to Vernal last year and don't remember any steep drop offs. Lot's of wide switchbacks, but not drop offs. Maybe I missed them.

The Flaming Gorge area is absolutely beautiful. Don't miss the Red Canyon overlook. Nice KOA in Manila 34 bucks for FHU pull thru. Or great Forest Service camping at the marina. I would highly recommend you see this area.

[Busskipper]

Busskipper wrote:

DBH wrote:
Yes, that's the bridge. (Its been about 10 yrs since we were in Yellowstone)
I think she will be fine on most of these roads. Unfortunately for her, I like to take back roads to sightsee. One time outside of Las Vegas we took a day trip up into the mtns., The dirt road started out OK at the bottom, but half an hour latter we were on a one-way jeep trail, straight up on one side, straight down on the other, and only one lane. Even I was a little nervous on that stretch.
The neat thing was that at the bottom it was 75 degrees, near the top there was 2' of snow !!
Like me she loves scenic drives over back roads, so she had learned to suck it up in order to enjoy the views. She doesn't like the drive very much, but loves the scenery.
We all know the best places are off the beaten path.

Let me help out with a few links that might keep you going,


This is just a compilation of a couples trip out west the images are great and show just one more way RV'er do it starts out in the east and ends in Yellowstone.

Just had to include this one of Colorado and the Aspen in September if you were able to wait just a week or two in September this might be available. Because of the timing and the vision to capture the Landscapes in such good light these are some of my Fav's.


Keep taking the Road Less Traveled - the rewards are forever.

BOL,

Busskipper

A couple more from an older post that might help Stan Parker's album is just easy but will not post in the form any more. Just seeing what others have done is often a big help, IMHO,

BOL,

Busskipper

[Busskipper]

DBH wrote:
Yes, that's the bridge. (Its been about 10 yrs since we were in Yellowstone)
I think she will be fine on most of these roads. Unfortunately for her, I like to take back roads to sightsee. One time outside of Las Vegas we took a day trip up into the mtns., The dirt road started out OK at the bottom, but half an hour latter we were on a one-way jeep trail, straight up on one side, straight down on the other, and only one lane. Even I was a little nervous on that stretch.
The neat thing was that at the bottom it was 75 degrees, near the top there was 2' of snow !!
Like me she loves scenic drives over back roads, so she had learned to suck it up in order to enjoy the views. She doesn't like the drive very much, but loves the scenery.
We all know the best places are off the beaten path.

Let me help out with a few links that might keep you going,


This is just a compilation of a couples trip out west the images are great and show just one more way RV'er do it starts out in the east and ends in Yellowstone.

Just had to include this one of Colorado and the Aspen in September if you were able to wait just a week or two in September this might be available. Because of the timing and the vision to capture the Landscapes in such good light these are some of my Fav's.


Keep taking the Road Less Traveled - the rewards are forever.

BOL,

Busskipper

[DBH]

Yes, that's the bridge. (Its been about 10 yrs since we were in Yellowstone)
I think she will be fine on most of these roads. Unfortunately for her, I like to take back roads to sightsee. One time outside of Las Vegas we took a day trip up into the mtns., The dirt road started out OK at the bottom, but half an hour latter we were on a one-way jeep trail, straight up on one side, straight down on the other, and only one lane. Even I was a little nervous on that stretch.
The neat thing was that at the bottom it was 75 degrees, near the top there was 2' of snow !!
Like me she loves scenic drives over back roads, so she had learned to suck it up in order to enjoy the views. She doesn't like the drive very much, but loves the scenery.
We all know the best places are off the beaten path.

[Naio]

Maybe your wife would be more comfortable if she were in the driver's seat, when the dropoff is on the passenger side?

[CloudDriver]

DBH wrote:
WOW !!!
great pics CloudDriver
My wife hates, and I mean HATES riding when the road drops off on her side. High bridges are a lot of fun with her in the car too. I remember one suspension bridge in Yellowstone where she didn't breathe until we reached the far side of the river.
That said, I showed her your pics, which are great..
I'm told we are taking the long way. 🙂

Maybe she should take along some Valium.

I can't recall any suspension bridge in Yellowstone. Perhaps you are thinking about the bridge over the Yellowstone River near Mammoth Hot Springs, which is quite high above the river. In the picture below in front of the white car there are several Bison using the bridge to cross the river, causing the traffic backup.


In case you are planning to use Cody as a base camp for Yellowstone and so will be using the East entrance daily, here is a picture from 2007 showing a portion of the entrance road coming down from Sylvan Pass toward Cody. The road was recently reconstructed at that time and has good guardrails. Also, I think the picture makes the grade look steeper than it actually was. If your wife doesn't like the look of this, the flattest entrance into Yellowstone is from West Yellowstone.

[DBH]

Thanks everyone, you guys gave me plenty of info, just what I was hoping for.
I can't wait to get out there. I've been looking on Google Maps satellite, these areas look gorgeous.

[2gypsies1]

Since you can't do drop-offs, etc. you would not like 191 through Vernal, UT which would be 615 miles.

The easiest route for you would be from Cody, WY to 120 to Meeteetse to Thermopolis, WY then 20 south to Shoshoni; 26/789 to Riverton/Lander; 28 to 191 (not the steep part) to I-80 at Rock Springs, WY.

There's a KOA at Lyman, WY if you're ready to stop but going on to Heber City would be a more scenic stop.

Then take I-80 west to US40 toward Heber City, UT. This would be a great place to stay for one or more days. It's a pretty area and if you wanted to do so you could do a day trip to Park City, a former Olympic site or even into Salt Lake City. There's Jordanelle State Park, our favorite or Mountain Valley RV or River's Edge RV.

From Heber City, UT stay on 40 east to Duchesne, UT then 191 south (again, not the steep part) to US6 at Price, UT to Green River, UT at I-70. Then I-70 east to 191 and Moab, UT

This route is 605 miles through beautiful country - no drop-offs or steep highways and all are good for RVs.

[DBH]

WOW !!!
great pics CloudDriver
My wife hates, and I mean HATES riding when the road drops off on her side. High bridges are a lot of fun with her in the car too. I remember one suspension bridge in Yellowstone where she didn't breathe until we reached the far side of the river.
That said, I showed her your pics, which are great..
I'm told we are taking the long way. 🙂

Maybe she should take along some Valium.

[Busskipper]

CloudDriver wrote:

Busskipper wrote:

DBH wrote:
Hi All,
I'm in the planning stages for a 3-4 week trip out West next year, end of Aug. to mid Sept. We will be staying at Buffalo Bill State Park outside of Cody for a week, then traveling down to Dead Horse Point State Park outside of Moab, Utah. With a stopover about half way down.
Has anyone done this? I'm looking for the easiest/best route.
This will be my first trip towing over the Rockies, so I'm not sure what the roads are like, steep I'm sure.
If anyone has suggestions for where to stay at the halfway point, please let me know.
We don't mind towing 8-10 hrs a day, even longer ( we drive straight thru from the Philly area to Disney with the trailer)
Thanks,
Dave

If I were taking this trip I would run through these areas - just put them in as way points and pick the location or locations that work - Thermopolis
Wind River Canyon
Boysen State Park
Shoshoni
West side or Flaming Gorge NRA
Dinosaur NM
Colorado NM
Rt 128 along the Colorado River
Moab and surrounds

You pick one or all as this is just a great drive - 600-700 miles but more than thousand smiles.

BOL,

X2 on this route with only one reservation for a person who hasn't towed in the mountains before. The shortest route between Dinosaur NM and Colorado NM includes route 139 between Rangely and I70. The descent on this route from Douglas Pass to I70 includes a steep section with a couple of switchbacks and some very sharp curves. My suggestion would be to take route 191 from Vernal to I70.

Don't miss route 128 along the Colorado River at least as far as Fisher Towers - a great drive.

Pictures of route 139 FYI

Glad you have pictures - Yes, I loved that road, just hard to member where all the good ones are.

Some days, when we have nothing going on, I'll just get in the car and drive hoping to find these great drives - but it's a good call if you are a flatlander and do not enjoy this sort of thing, 191 would likely be a better choice. I've driven from Golden to Winter Park in the winter just to get to go over Berthoud Pass, Yes many say something might be loose, Between the Ears.

Never been on a road in Colorado we did not just love, (Many are just Dirt or Less)

So That might be the reason I will sometimes suggest a Road Leass Traveled.

Thanks for giving the real scoop on the route,

[CloudDriver]

Busskipper wrote:

DBH wrote:
Hi All,
I'm in the planning stages for a 3-4 week trip out West next year, end of Aug. to mid Sept. We will be staying at Buffalo Bill State Park outside of Cody for a week, then traveling down to Dead Horse Point State Park outside of Moab, Utah. With a stopover about half way down.
Has anyone done this? I'm looking for the easiest/best route.
This will be my first trip towing over the Rockies, so I'm not sure what the roads are like, steep I'm sure.
If anyone has suggestions for where to stay at the halfway point, please let me know.
We don't mind towing 8-10 hrs a day, even longer ( we drive straight thru from the Philly area to Disney with the trailer)
Thanks,
Dave

If I were taking this trip I would run through these areas - just put them in as way points and pick the location or locations that work - Thermopolis
Wind River Canyon
Boysen State Park
Shoshoni
West side or Flaming Gorge NRA
Dinosaur NM
Colorado NM
Rt 128 along the Colorado River
Moab and surrounds

You pick one or all as this is just a great drive - 600-700 miles but more than thousand smiles.

BOL,

X2 on this route with only one reservation for a person who hasn't towed in the mountains before. The shortest route between Dinosaur NM and Colorado NM includes route 139 between Rangely and I70. The descent on this route from Douglas Pass to I70 includes a steep section with a couple of switchbacks and some very sharp curves. My suggestion would be to take route 191 from Vernal to I70.

Don't miss route 128 along the Colorado River at least as far as Fisher Towers - a great drive.

Pictures of route 139 FYI

[Busskipper]

DBH wrote:
Hi All,
I'm in the planning stages for a 3-4 week trip out West next year, end of Aug. to mid Sept. We will be staying at Buffalo Bill State Park outside of Cody for a week, then traveling down to Dead Horse Point State Park outside of Moab, Utah. With a stopover about half way down.
Has anyone done this? I'm looking for the easiest/best route.
This will be my first trip towing over the Rockies, so I'm not sure what the roads are like, steep I'm sure.
If anyone has suggestions for where to stay at the halfway point, please let me know.
We don't mind towing 8-10 hrs a day, even longer ( we drive straight thru from the Philly area to Disney with the trailer)
Thanks,
Dave

If I were taking this trip I would run through these areas - just put them in as way points and pick the location or locations that work - Thermopolis
Wind River Canyon
Boysen State Park
Shoshoni
West side or Flaming Gorge NRA
Dinosaur NM
Colorado NM
Rt 128 along the Colorado River
Moab and surrounds

You pick one or all as this is just a great drive - 600-700 miles but more than thousand smiles.

BOL,