I-70 through Colorado

[Sooner_Schooner]

We're about to head to Oklahoma from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I would like to go I-90 east to I-15 south and then take I-70 east to Denver. I don't like a lot of drama so are the passes pretty easy to navigate? Any other concerns I should be aware of? We are in a 40' Class A diesel pusher towing a car. Thank you all for advice.

[Sooner_Schooner]

ken56 wrote:
Sooner, the thing with going secondary roads is there is so much more to see than on the interstates. My wife uses Google Maps while we travel and looks ahead on our route for anything we might want to stop at and see. It's so much easier to make a stop rather than to hope for an exit or rest area to show up. If time is not an issue for us we always take secondary roads whenever we can. A lot less stressful and more interesting than the interstate.

Thank you.

[profdant139]

Paul, I had no idea that the different-color pavement was for longer vehicles -- that is valuable info! (I should explain that roundabouts are still fairly rare in California.)

[ken56]

Sooner, the thing with going secondary roads is there is so much more to see than on the interstates. My wife uses Google Maps while we travel and looks ahead on our route for anything we might want to stop at and see. It's so much easier to make a stop rather than to hope for an exit or rest area to show up. If time is not an issue for us we always take secondary roads whenever we can. A lot less stressful and more interesting than the interstate.

[paulj]

Washington State roundabouts usually have a paved ("mountable truck") apron (in a contrasting color/texture) that long vehicles are welcomed to use.

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/manuals/fulltext/M22-01/1320.pdf

According to the state, using both lanes is acceptable practice

Multilane roundabouts have at least one entry or exit with two or more lanes and more than
one circulating lane. The operational practice for trucks negotiating roundabouts is to straddle
adjacent lanes.

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Safety/roundabouts/default.htm

[Busskipper]

More on the Topic - RT 6

[Sooner_Schooner]

rexlion wrote:

BarryG20 wrote:
Well it is interstate so the passes are about as good as they get. Vail pass is a slog but certainly doable without any issues. Next is Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels same as Vail, slog up and even more down to Georgetown but relatively easy. A couple shorter uphills after Idaho Springs then the descent down into Denver.

Nothing wrong with 15 down to 70 but you could save a lot of miles and time Taking US6 from Spanish Fork to Green River. I think it is along the lines of half the miles and a couple less hours of time. The road is good I personally would not consider it any drama but I guess that is really in the eye of the beholder. However if you do go that way you will miss driving across the San Rafeal Swell which is awesome scenery but if you really wanted to see that you could still take 6 to Price than 10 down to 70 and still save a lot of miles and time

+1, that stretch of US-6 is a piece of cake, and pleasant scenery. The Swell is sort of visually interesting but IMO it doesn't even come close to rivaling much of the other sandstone scenery in Utah.

If you all say Hwy 6 is fine for a 40' foot motorhome, I will take your advice and go that way. Thanks again for everything.

[Sooner_Schooner]

ken56 wrote:
It is a quite beautiful drive. Came through there a year ago for the first time and being an interstate route it's not that bad but it is the mountains. You want to pick up 89 out of Spanish Fork to 6 over to 191 and into 70 at Green River. That cuts off a lot of miles from where 15 comes into 70. It's good secondary road too and nothing you can't handle.

You're the second person to mention those roads, thank you so much. I will look at that route for sure.

[Sooner_Schooner]

BarryG20 wrote:
Well it is interstate so the passes are about as good as they get. Vail pass is a slog but certainly doable without any issues. Next is Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels same as Vail, slog up and even more down to Georgetown but relatively easy. A couple shorter uphills after Idaho Springs then the descent down into Denver.

Nothing wrong with 15 down to 70 but you could save a lot of miles and time Taking US6 from Spanish Fork to Green River. I think it is along the lines of half the miles and a couple less hours of time. The road is good I personally would not consider it any drama but I guess that is really in the eye of the beholder. However if you do go that way you will miss driving across the San Rafeal Swell which is awesome scenery but if you really wanted to see that you could still take 6 to Price than 10 down to 70 and still save a lot of miles and time

Thank you sir, I will look at that.

[Busskipper]

Tom/Barb wrote:
Round a bouts certainly do weed out the stupid drivers.

Amend to that,

But to the original Question -

Sooner Schooner wrote:

We're about to head to Oklahoma from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

I would like to go I-90 east to I-15 south and then take I-70 east to Denver.

I don't like a lot of drama so are the passes pretty easy to navigate? YES:)


Any other concerns I should be aware of?

We are in a 40' Class A diesel pusher towing a car.

Thank you all for advice.

Just as an answer your route is fine - BUT - I'd sure have to look at getting off the I's and just seeing more good Eye Candy as you head south. You are going to be in some of the most Beautiful COuntry all the way to New Mexico. Just mark out the National Parks you could drive By - then the State Parks - National Monuments - National Recreation Areas........................

If were to get off those I's and look at driving by State Parks - Lakes - Reservoirs - Rivers - National Parks and Monuments you could certainly make this a FUN drive. When I look at that drive all I see is Opportunity to put together an amazing Drive, even if I didn't stop to Hike and explore it could and should be just Beautiful in a 40'er and a Toad. This is really just a Dream Drive.

Do you have a little time?

Could we/should we even address this opportunity?

Let us Know,

[Tom_Barb]

Round a bouts certainly do weed out the stupid drivers.

[LenSatic]

hotpepperkid wrote:

LenSatic wrote:

profdant139 wrote:
many of the exits in mid-Colorado involve "roundabouts," those pesky traffic circles. 😉

I HATE those things! We almost got taken out by one at the Morongo Casino a few years ago. They're great for locals who are used to them but for visitors who suddenly come up on them they are very dangerous. They are slowly infecting AZ, too.

I hate them also I just take up both lanes screw them

I hear that Cottonwood has about 6 now! That route is dead to me.

[profdant139]

hotpepper, maybe I have just discovered my problem -- I did not realize that there are two lanes in those roundabouts!

Uh-oh. Maybe that explains why everyone is honking at me and waving their fingers in a strange way. 😉

[hotpepperkid]

LenSatic wrote:

profdant139 wrote:
many of the exits in mid-Colorado involve "roundabouts," those pesky traffic circles. 😉

I HATE those things! We almost got taken out by one at the Morongo Casino a few years ago. They're great for locals who are used to them but for visitors who suddenly come up on them they are very dangerous. They are slowly infecting AZ, too.

I hate them also I just take up both lanes screw them

[ken56]

It is a quite beautiful drive. Came through there a year ago for the first time and being an interstate route it's not that bad but it is the mountains. You want to pick up 89 out of Spanish Fork to 6 over to 191 and into 70 at Green River. That cuts off a lot of miles from where 15 comes into 70. It's good secondary road too and nothing you can't handle.