Flattest route to Denver

[Jacksilsby]

I'm about to pull met travel trailer from Fort Worth to Denver. I've made this trip in a car or truck a few times, but never with a big load. There are some spots that are pretty steep climbs once you get to Raton Nm and several from there to Denver. Does anyone know what would be a good, flatter route? Thanks for your time.

[egh33]

I have made the trip many many times from Wichita Falls to Denver. US 287 all the way. Best route I have ever found.

[Thom02099]

Matt_Colie wrote:
Jack,

You can look at Flattest Route and see how much more driving is recommended that way.

Matt (I learned about this site here)

^^^^ This. What he said.

If you input Fort Worth and Denver as your start/end points, it shows the route up to Raton Pass and up I-25. If you input Fort Worth and Limon, CO as your start/end points, it shows the route up via US 287. Graphically, it may look steep. In reality it is not. Remember, you're starting at a low elevation in Texas (around 700 feet in Fort Worth), to around 5300 feet in Denver. It's all gradual. There's nothing overly steep, despite the graphical representation.

[Matt_Colie]

Jack,

You can look at Flattest Route and see how much more driving is recommended that way.

Matt (I learned about this site here)

[BB_TX]

SCVJeff wrote:
There is no "flat", there is straight. Denver is ~5500' AMSL and there's only one way to get to that altitude

But there is the option of going over a 7,800' mountain pass, or not going over any mountain pass.

[SpeakEasy]

I'm curious about what % grades we're talking about in these different routes. It's all relative; none of it is "flat." As an Easterner I'd really like to know how steep those Rocky Mt. highways are. Does anyone know?

-Speak

[SCVJeff]

There is no "flat", there is straight. Denver is ~5500' AMSL and there's only one way to get to that altitude

[pconroy328]

The flattest approach would be like janstey58 said - head north thru OK and KS and then west on I-70.

But, like the others have said, Raton pass wouldn't bother me.

[Bionic_Man]

The only two inclines that I can think of on I25 are Raton and Monument Hill. Neither of those would be a reason to avoid that route.

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[TexasShadow]

ditto on taking 287.

[janstey58]

North thru KS on I35/Hiway 81, then take I70 on in? That should be pretty flat.

[BB_TX]

Raton Pass is the only real climb going to Raton and up I-25. And that is not really a bad pass. But the flattest route would be either US 287 all the way to I-70 west (longer than Raton route), or I-35 all the way to I-70 west (much longer).

[enblethen]

US 287 would be my choice!
It is all up hill!