US Hwy 50 from Scopio to Salina in Utah

[sigbowman]

Tomorrow, we will start driving from Carson City, NV, to Denver in our 30-ft motorhome with tow car. Our planned route is I-80 to Salt Lake City, then I-15 to I-70. Looking at the map, we see a shortcut using US Hwy 50 from I-15 to I-70. The map says it's 30 miles (vs more than 100 on the interstates). But is that stretch of Hwy 50 from Scopio to Salina OK for motorhomes? We would appreciate any comments. It will be our first time on I-70 west of Denver. From Denver we will continue to our home in Oklahoma.

[JimFromJersey]

Yes - we did that exact route in 2012 in our 34' Bounder. No problem at all. Once you hit I-70 and head east, it's pretty sparse across the San Rafael Swell, but very scenic. Make sure you're gassed up and ready to roll. Spotted Wolf Canyon, just west of Green River, is cool. Than just follow it east. On the other side of Moab, it gets a bit flat and boring until you're on the other side of Grand Junction. But from then on, WHOA Baby! You'll love it.

Mona to Scipio to Salina to Moab:
http://lens-flair.net/blog/day-10-mona-to-moab-spectacular-scenery/

[NMDriver]

The piece you are asking about from I-15 to I-70 is a good road and I drove it with a 30ft 5er. Get your fuel in Salida before getting on I-70 it is a long ways to the next station.

[colliehauler]

TexasShadow wrote:
the shortcut from I 15 over to I 70 is fine.
and 50 across Nevada is good, too. and lonely, as they say, but it's a good lonely. 🙂

Hwy 50 is one of my favorite roads and I would have to agree (it's a good lonely).

[dicknellen]

I take 50 East all the time, live 3 blocks from 50 in Fallon. Just gas up in Fallon and top off in Ely. Good station for gas at east end of Fallon called Fox Peak. I find I-80 boring. Safe Travels, Dick

[paulj]

The OP is asking about cutting a small corner on the I15/70 interchange - in Utah. Not about taking US50 all the way across Nevada. I haven't driven it but previous discussions indicate no problems. It doesn't climb up over any mountains.

Another shortcut is US6/191 through Price. Also no problem.

Of course, coming from Reno, US50 all the way to I70 is a good option, with all the attendant warnings about gas and remoteness.

[TexasShadow]

the shortcut from I 15 over to I 70 is fine.
and 50 across Nevada is good, too. and lonely, as they say, but it's a good lonely. 🙂

[The_Texan]

sigbowman wrote:
Tomorrow, we will start driving from Carson City, NV, to Denver in our 30-ft motorhome with tow car. Our planned route is I-80 to Salt Lake City, then I-15 to I-70. Looking at the map, we see a shortcut using US Hwy 50 from I-15 to I-70. The map says it's 30 miles (vs more than 100 on the interstates). But is that stretch of Hwy 50 from Scopio to Salina OK for motorhomes? We would appreciate any comments. It will be our first time on I-70 west of Denver. From Denver we will continue to our home in Oklahoma.

Why go so far south before you turn east? We use US-6 off of I-15 south of SLC at Spanish Fork and it takes you to Green River on I-70. It is a very good road and saves way more time and miles than going down to Scipio before heading east to I-70.

[freewayrandy]

Just ran 50 last Easter from Placerville, Ca. to Salina in our 35' toyhauler going to Moab, piece of cake. Fair amount of downhill on 70. 191 from Provo to Price long uphill, pretty good pull.

[Jim_Shoe]

Yes. I have vivid memories from 1967. I was 21. 4 of us guys did an around the USA tour from Cincinnati during summer break from college. In a Plymouth Barracuda (rolling greenhouse) with no A/C. Not as many interstates back then. I've never been that hot since.

[Busskipper]

sigbowman wrote:
Tomorrow, we will start driving from Carson City, NV, to Denver in our 30-ft motorhome with tow car. Our planned route is I-80 to Salt Lake City, then I-15 to I-70. Looking at the map, we see a shortcut using US Hwy 50 from I-15 to I-70. The map says it's 30 miles (vs more than 100 on the interstates). But is that stretch of Hwy 50 from Scopio to Salina OK for motorhomes? We would appreciate any comments. It will be our first time on I-70 west of Denver. From Denver we will continue to our home in Oklahoma.

Either Highway works but the last time I was on Rt50 across Nevada we had a couple of water bags on the front to keep the engine cool, anyone else remember those days? So as Executive says "lonely"

I would stay on I-80 just for peace of mind and save time by coming out of SLC on Rt 40 Through Craig and Steamboat, giving you the option of RMNP or Rt 9 or 40 down to I-70.

Another option out of SLC is 191/6 toward Moab, lots of options just need to know what your interest is getting from "A" to "B" or would you like to see some of Colorado, or Utah?

BOL,

[Executive45]

Like almost all of US 50, it's a two lane blacktop road with very little to see or do. US 50 is known as the "loneliest road in America" for good reason. It will save you miles and I've enjoyed the drive, but I hate interstates and avoid them when I can. You can take that section without any issues..just make sure you have a full fuel tank...there are no service stations there.....Dennis