Driving from North Jersey to Denver and back

[NJ6PACK]

Hi guy's. Haven't posted here in a while but now I have a question that maybe some of you guys could answer.....

In February I will be driving from North Jersey to Denver, Colorado and back

Driving out to Denver I will NOT be Towing anything

Driving from the Denver area to North Jersey I will be towing a 5x8 or 6x12 U Haul cargo trailer

My truck is a 2016 RAM 2500 6.4L, It's more than capable for the task 🙂

Useing Google Maps I basically have 2 route options, 1 hour difference between the two going out and coming home......

Option #1. I80 all the way to I76 in Nebraska just before the Colorado state line to Denver, Same route going home

Option #2. I78 to the PA tpk to I70 all the way to to Denver, Same route going home

I'm thinking Option #2 might be better..... any thoughts or opinions on this?

I am aware the it's winter and I will have to watch the weather for any storms

Thanks in advance

[4runnerguy]

We have found that I-70 is in better shape than I-80. Also seems to be a lot more truck traffic on I-80 (which may explain the road conditions).

[Busskipper]

NJ6PACK wrote:
Hi guy's. Haven't posted here in a while but now I have a question that maybe some of you guys could answer.....

In February I will be driving from North Jersey to Denver, Colorado and back

Driving out to Denver I will NOT be Towing anything

Driving from the Denver area to North Jersey I will be towing a 5x8 or 6x12 U Haul cargo trailer

My truck is a 2016 RAM 2500 6.4L, It's more than capable for the task 🙂

Useing Google Maps I basically have 2 route options, 1 hour difference between the two going out and coming home......

Option #1. I80 all the way to I76 in Nebraska just before the Colorado state line to Denver, Same route going home

Option #2. I78 to the PA tpk to I70 all the way to to Denver, Same route going home

I'm thinking Option #2 might be better..... any thoughts or opinions on this?

I am aware the it's winter and I will have to watch the weather for any storms

Thanks in advance

Think your choice is the right one - Avoids Chicago - Tolls - Will still have a good bit of truck traffic - We have used RT 36 often as the road is good and traffic is less - For pure speed IMHO I-70 is your route.

Not towing makes it not to bad a drive - done it a few times in two days - 80 mph will cover a lot of ground, out West, in a hurry :)Thisside of the Mississippi you are lucky to Average 60 mph as traffic is just heavy.

Weather will be critical - Look for the good window for travel as that would be my only concern.

Best of Luck,

[schlep1967]

Look at the costs to travel the PA turnpike. If you have ez-pass it will cost you $31.40 going out. No ez-pass $64.
Might cost you more depending on weight of truck and trailer when returning.
Personally if the weather is not a problem I would take I-80 then cut down to Indianapolis.

[gbopp]

I would take any route that keeps me away from Chicago. 🙂

[JRscooby]

Thom02099 wrote:
Presuming that you just want to get out and get back, I'd go with option 2 with a modification.

At Indianapolis I would take I-74 to I-72 across Illinois to Hannibal MO where it meets US 36. Take US 36 (four lanes) all across Missouri and into Kansas at Hannibal. While it's a 2 lane road through Kansas, you can make good time. It's a good road, small towns about 30-40 miles apart for fuel/food/break stops. A lot less truck traffic than what you'll have on either I-70 or I-80. Just outside of Denver at Byers, it joins back with I-70 into Denver.

West bound, this is a good way. But as a general rule I avoid going east for any distance in Kansas.

[Thom02099]

Presuming that you just want to get out and get back, I'd go with option 2 with a modification.

At Indianapolis I would take I-74 to I-72 across Illinois to Hannibal MO where it meets US 36. Take US 36 (four lanes) all across Missouri and into Kansas at Hannibal. While it's a 2 lane road through Kansas, you can make good time. It's a good road, small towns about 30-40 miles apart for fuel/food/break stops. A lot less truck traffic than what you'll have on either I-70 or I-80. Just outside of Denver at Byers, it joins back with I-70 into Denver.