I promise this is my last question....altitudes along I-90

[PennyPA]

I know I'm being a pest here but you guys have given me such helpful information in an area of the country that is completely new to us so this will be my last question...I hope. Once we get into Washington, we're planning on taking I-90 east to the midwest since we've not been in the states it transverses yet. However, between us and the midwest, are the Rocky Mountains and I'm very concerned with altitudes (I'm so afraid my truck just won't pull that fiver up those hills!) What altitudes will I be looking at?

[PennyPA]

I guess that's more what I was looking for...ascents...well, and final altitude. All I have to do is make sure I have my O2 in the back seat once we leave the Seattle area, I guess. I worry about ascents. Long ascents. Long descents aren't too bad on an interstate 'cause I've got 2 lanes...and the wonderful exhaust brake!!

You guys have eased a lot of the worry about this eastern trip and I thank you sincerely for it. We've never been in this neck of the woods (northern CA, OR, WA, etc.) and I really just didn't know what to expect. So far, it's been good (if you don't count the trailer wheel shearing off just south of Leggett CA and having to spend the night along the highway! That was scary!! And expensive!!)

[dodge_guy]

I90 out west is nothing! I`de be more concerned about the hills out east!

[newk]

I live on I-90 and have travelled it as far as it goes both directions, often pulling a smaller 5th wheel with a smaller truck. It's a little curvy in places in Montana but nothing to be concerned about as far as towing. Elevation throughout Wyoming is 3500 to 4500 or so -- ez-pz. Have a nice trip.

[Thom02099]

There's a difference between altitudes and grades. As far as actual altitudes, you'll not get much over 6200 feet as a maximum on that route. Very big difference between that, on I-90 and what you would find in Colorado on I-70, with altitudes near 11000 feet. Big difference.

However,even at lower altitudes you can have grades that are equal to what you'd find in Colorado. They just don't climb as high. And a long, steep grade can be taxing, both on the vehicle as well as the driver.

[Corky12]

Homestake Pass out of Butte, MT is 6375'. Bozeman Pass out of Bozeman, MT is 5760'. Those will be the highest altitudes on your route. Both are fairly short going up and long descents. The city of Butte has been used as a high altitude training center for Olympic skaters Altitude in town is right at 5500' so may not be a good choice for a stay with COPD. Bozeman is right at 4700'. Once you come down Bozeman Pass altitude continues dropping until it is at about 3000' in Billings. You should have no problem towing with your rig. Just slow it down on the descents. Have a great trip.

[OH48Lt]

You won't have any problem pulling your rig over any mountain in the USA with that Dodge. Just take it easy, and have the driver watch his EGT gauge, if you have one. Take it easier going down the mountain, that is often more tricky than going up. Common sense should prevail on the way down.

[Drbolasky]

danpreszler wrote:
As far as passes go, this is a little one.

X2 We did this stretch in '09. You'll be fine. Good luck & safe travels.

[john_bet]

We have traveled I-90 from Wisc. to Wa. minus the part from Three Forks to Missoula. We just did the Spokane to Missoula part in June with our signature rig and had no problems. I had my gps set to show altitudes, but I do not remember exactly how high I got, maybe as much as 5000'. The highest part maybe around Coeur d' Alene, but it wont be an issue with your setup. There is a good rise coming out of Billings going south, you go up several hundred feet.

[darsben]

highest point will be 6276.5 feet near butte Montana and 5360 feet near Bozeman

[wcjeep]

Can't help work personnel Oxygen. Truck will be fine. Do you have a steering stabilizer? This should have been standard equipment for all second Gen Dodge truck's. Stopping the steering box flex will greatly reduce driver fatigue.

I've ordered enough from Genos to annoy the wife.

http://www.genosgarage.com/BD-STEERING-BOX-STABILIZER-94-02-4WD/productinfo/BD-1032004/#.U8XI_Rnn_qA

[ScottG]

I've never noticed any hills on I90.
I wouldn't worry about it. 😉

EDIT: Sorry , I see you may need 02. THe hills aren't bad - a few thousand feet.

[danpreszler]

You shouldn't have any problems - just a short downgrade from the pass to Whitehall. Just slow down a bit and stay in the right lane with the trucks. As far as passes go, this is a little one.

[PennyPA]

Just checked the West Mountain Directory and the only REALLY scary part is Homestake Pass. I guess there's no way of avoiding that, huh, unless I go north on I-15 to Helena then going back to I-90 via 287.

[kknowlton]

Penny, you're not being a pain. 🙂 Haven't done the entire route on 90, but at least from Missoula east, I don't recall any altitudes or grades on 90 worth worrying about - even 80 is higher, and 70 is the one with all the really high altitudes and long climbs. I think you'll be fine. Probably the biggest climb you'll have on 90 will be just east of the Seattle area.