Flatlander route concerns from Tetons south thru UT, AZ

Some people do not belong in the mountains. If you want to go there, learn hwo to drive the roads. Use your gear box, watch your tach and temp gauges.

I suggest you go south on US 89 and US 30, then east on I-80 to Cheyenne then south on I-25 to I-40.
You will run the ridge on I-80. There is some climbs but nothing to worry about.

We have used most of the length of route 89 south from the Tetons to I40 on past trips. 89 is pretty easy until you get to Garden City on Bear Lake, UT. There is a about a 1-1/2 to 2 mile climb of 8% coming out of Garden City. If you want to avoid that I would suggest taking route 26 from Alpine to pick up I15 south at Idaho Falls. If you decide on using I15, you can join with route 89 by taking route 28 south near Nephi to 89 at Gunnison. I70 and 89 share the same road between Salina and Sevier. 89 then splits off and continues south to Kanab. This section of routes 28 and 89 are an easy drive. We have not used the section of 89 between Kanab and Page as we use route 89A so we can visit the North Rim. There is a climb and descent on 89A. South of Page 89 is an easy drive all the way to I40.

enblethen wrote:
I suggest you go south on US 89 and US 30, then east on I-80 to Cheyenne then south on I-25 to I-40.
You will run the ridge on I-80. There is some climbs but nothing to worry about.

Thanx. I’ll Ck it out—-now that’s some useful info.

Just be aware that I25 thru Colorado will be a very high traffic area until you pass by Pueblo. I would prefer mountains vs traffic but that is me.
With that said we just traveled from Yellowstone on 191 to Vernal Ut which is fairly easy. There is an area north of Vernal with a small pull and then a drop into Vernal but it is not steep.

These specific routes are just what we need. Thank you again.

89 south out of Jackson you'll have Salt River Pass which is 7% grade for 3.5 miles - south of Afton. Easy drive - you won't even notice it. Further south on 89 you'll have Geneva Pass between Geneva and Montpelier, ID. You'll have 6% for 2 miles. I'd then suggest taking 30 to Kemmerer then 189 to I-80 at Evanston, WY.

At Evanston head west on I-80 to Heber City on Hwy 40. Jordanelle State Park is very nice with big sites. Then pick up UT6 to Helper, Price and Green River,UT at I-70. Go east on I-70 a short distance to Hwy 191 and on to Moab and on to 163 to Monument Valley at the Arizona border.

If you want to go to the Grand Canyon continue south o 163 to Kayenta, AZ then west on 160 toward Tuba City, AZ and Hwy 89. Take AZ89 south a short distance to 64 west which will take you into Grand Canyon NP. Leaving Grand Canyon take 64 south to I-40 at Williams, AZ.

I would not recommend 191 in Utah (Flaming Gorge area). Coming down to Vernal you'll have approx. 10 miles of 8 & 9% grades with switchbacks.

I would also recommend that you purchase the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers & RVers' before you go then you can read up on roads and you won't get any surprises.

It's understandably difficult for flat-landers to get into the mountains the first time. However, when you're finished with this trip you'll be a pro. For the most part you'll get a gradual introductory once you get out of the Plains. Even heading to Yellowstone if you stay on interstates you'll still have some 6% grades and even steeper on I-70 west of Denver if you take that route. Don't be afraid of some of the secondary roads. That's where you find the beauty. Have a great trip!

I picked up these for our 1st trip out west, helped to pick routes and avoid what we could. As someone said above, the big thing is learning to drive the mts.

RAS43 wrote:
Just be aware that I25 thru Colorado will be a very high traffic area until you pass by Pueblo. I would prefer mountains vs traffic but that is me.
With that said we just traveled from Yellowstone on 191 to Vernal Ut which is fairly easy. There is an area north of Vernal with a small pull and then a drop into Vernal but it is not steep.

^^^^^ This. I-25 in both directions is frequently a parking lot. One disabled vehicle, one accident, one speeder pulled over by CSP and traffic grinds to a halt. Even when it spreads out from 2 lanes to multiple lanes in each direction, it is still heavy traffic.

An alternative? If you take I-80 eastbound, go through Cheyenne WY and continue to Kimball, NE. Take NE 71 south into Colorado where it becomes CO 71. Stay on it. All the way, through Brush and on to Limon, where you can pick up US 287, which will take you to Amarillo and I-40.

And a note about I-80 across WY. The highest point is east of Laramie at 9600 feet. There's a climb out of Laramie to the summit, but it's not overly steep, it's a good interstate and the views up top at the rest area are beautiful. From there it's a gradual downhill with rolling terrain until it flattens out west of Cheyenne. Flat and smooth to Kimball.

FloridaNative49 wrote:
After Yellowstone, we'll be heading south from ColterBay/Tetons on 191, 89 (thru Utah, AZ) and eventually turning via I-40 east toward home. Pls. share elevation concerns, etc. for Floridians in a 38' gasser, pulling a CRV, in late August to Mid-September.
Thnx in advance!

If the Question is "south from Colter Bay/Tetons on 191, 89 (thru Utah, AZ) and eventually turning via I-40 " I'd look at the Opportunities available to you on this drive - While I'm not a big fan of Jackson Hole the Developed City/area, to be there and not drive through is almost criminal, but wait there's more. From there Flaming Gorge is Calling - Water - Rocks - just the sheer Beauty - You have driven Thousands of miles, over Mountains and through Passes, how can you not to See, to Touch, to Hike into, drive Through and Experience as much as is possible with every mile you drive down the Road?

So I'd include - Flaming Gorge NRA - Dino NM - Colorado NM - Moab, yes Arches/Canyonlands/RT 128 - Goosenecks - Monument Valley - Canyon de Chelly - Window Rock - and Santa Fe.

I'm serious - you just drove almost 3,000 miles to Yellowstone, and you would stay on the I's and a few State roads and/to avoid a couple Mountains and a Switch back or two and Miss what you drove out to See. Please.......seriously PLEASE Take/Make the Trip one you will never forget, go and See the a little more of the SouthWest.

MAP

Just one more Option, Please, you will not regret it, Just trying to Make the Drive as Good as the Destination, Slow down, stop and Enjoy.

JMHO,