Alberta to Yuma

[Janie_Ryan]

We are heading from Edmonton, Alberta to Yuma on December 27th. We have a Ford F150 pulling a 31' travel trailer. Is I-15 the best route to stick to? How about hwy 89 to south of Great Falls and then the I-15 (it's shorter). Are there any high mountain passes or areas known for extreme winter weather? Do you know if any of these roads require chains? Thanks for your help.

[Macktee]

Yes as the others said about going down thru Boulder, I do it all the time even though it is quite a bit narrower. We are about 72 feet long and don't have any problems. Macktee

[enblethen]

Toolttime:
Do you mean MT 69, MT 55 and MT 41 through Twin Bridges/

[toolttime]

We dive every year and take the I15 but we turn at Boulder and take that route to Dillon and avoid the mountaintop road and bypass going to Butte. All flat land and I swer it cuts a least a hour and half going that way.
Also check what the weather in Montana and Idaho will be before you leave.

[Janie_Ryan]

Thanks for all your advice. Good information!!

[Ruralgas]

Hi Janie:
We headed down on Nov 3 and before Great Falls ran into heavy snow so we ended up staying in Great Falls for a couple days as the passes at Helena and Butte were not good. It just wasn't worth the risk.
After the 2 days, the highways were cleared and travel was good. You could see where there had been many vehicles in the ditches before.
We just came back; Dec 3; from Yuma with just the truck and around midnight; this past Sunday we ran into a wicked snow storm and very high winds at Monida Pass (Montana and Idaho border). Vehicles in the ditches, lucky I got to follow a highways plow truck up and over the pass so we slowly made it through. This storm just came up like you "flipped" a switch.
It's not best to travel through that area in the late night. You never know what will hit and when.
We also managed to get through Salt Lake City before they got hit with a wicked snow storm. It's bad enough going through their in good conditions, let alone a snow storm.
So as others have posted, you have really keep watch of weather reports and if necessary slow way down or better yet just park.
Good luck and be carefull.

[waldo617211]

when you get near Farmington, Utah southbound, take hwy 67/ legacy parkway. It leads to the 215 bypass around SLC & has better roads & less traffic. YMMV.

[noteven]

Recommend you have a google at "tire chain requirements" for each state you will travel in. Some require you to carry chain when towing, or over a certain weight. Pick up a set of at least cable chains for the truck and a light set for one axle of the trailer and carry them with you. Oh, and make sure they fit before you need them :). Chains along are an excellent bad weather repellant.

A couple winters ago we travelled I-15 in snow most of the way from Shelby to east of Hurricane UT in both directions. Snow as in wake up in the a.m. in Fillmore, UT and the snow on the hood of the Dodge is 3/4 as high as the cab roof... snow as in an icy and windy stretch by Fort Hall, Blackfoot, and Idaho Falls so as you can see the lee side of your trailer in the mirror as it dog tracks along on the ice (OMG!). The 5 cars/SUVs that passed us all parked in the rhubarb further up the road. "Those black volcano rocks are hard on the plastic front end of the posh Cadillac", remarked my co-pilot.

We have also made the passage with zero snowfall, staying in our rv overnight the whole way in both directions.

Carry chains, take your time, turn off the drama media radio and enjoy the trip as well as your destination.

Safe travels.

[xtech]

Just followed the 69/55/41 on google earth, looks nice and level as you say, think I will try it this year if weather good. Thankyou netjam.

[xtech]

Netjam, I have never tried that route between Boulder and Dillon, is it a good road? Looks like the mileage is the same.

[netjam]

I hate the I-15 grades between Helena, MT and Dilon, MT (through Butte) We always cut at Boulder MT (highway 69/55/41) and its level almost all the way. The only time I'd take I-15 through Butte is if it was really snowing.

[Macktee]

enblethen wrote:
I would stay on Can 2, Can 4 and US I-15 this time of year.
Of course, you will be watching the weather!

I agree whole heartedly, this will give you the best facilities on route. Good luck. We are in Yuma. Where are you going to be staying. We are in Country Roads. Macktee

[enblethen]

I would stay on Can 2, Can 4 and US I-15 this time of year.
Of course, you will be watching the weather!

[xtech]

Further to above, do not take 89. We came back that way last spring, very slow twisty up and down road. No way would want to be on it in winter. Will be much quicker and safer for u to go #2 south of Calgary to Coutts. There are several passes on I15 which could require chains if conditions were bad but we just would just wait it out if that bad. If you have driven Rogers pass you will find the passes on I15 nothing as they are not as steep. Hope this helps you and have a great trip. We are addicted to going south now!

[xtech]

Hi there, you are just north of us, we are near Camrose and will leave Jan 3 pulling a 30 ft 5th wheel with a Tundra. Will be our third year going down to Calif. and Arizona. We stick to I15 all the way. It is all 4 lane and well maintained. First year had snow on all passes but no problem for us who are used to driving in snow. Last year was dry pavement from Great Falls on except for some light snow on Monida pass. Try to go through Salt Lake City in non rush hour times. Its multi lane all the way through with no stops but can be stressfull when traffic heavy at rush hour as it takes a long time to get through. Rest stops all along the way too which is nice as rv is winterized.