I was wondering what I-70 was like for grades compared to I-80? been down I -80 4 times from New York to Wyoming. Just trying to plan the best route to haul from Massachusetts to Moab Utah. Towing a 30ft gooseneck, with 2 suzuki samurais and 2 atvs.
Jon D
2000 Ctd reg cab 4.10s 4x4 bfg285's
4in strait pipe 5 in stacks, BHAF
auto bd valve body and torque lock .
Perfect shift converter
Gauges

 

Do not know about I-80 but I-70 is flat as a pancake till you get to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The pull up the Rockys out of Denver is tough but once over the pass it is good sailing and Moab is just south of I-70 after you cross into Utah. Have pulled a 30ft 5er over it several times with my 96 to visit friends in Delta Colorado. Have not pulled it with the O3 as yet. Good luck on your trip.

 

Pulling the summit on I-70 will be fairly long and steady. The road is good and there is enough slow traffic that you can take your time. The going down is the fun part. It's a long way down and it's pretty curvey. Take your time, especially thru Glenwood Canyon. Be careful not to let the scenery distract you.

There's nothing on I-70 east of Denver but a lot of rolling hills. You will be gaining altitude slowly without seeing it, but you will notice your truck working a little harder. The only time I had problems thru there was when I got some bad diesel. I wasn't hard to tell which trucks had fueled at the same place.

If you going to be around Denver during rush hour, I'd take the I-70 loop. I don't remember the number, but the extra miles could save you time and wear on the pedals.
Have a nice trip!

 

I Knew 70 through colorado was tough I used to live in wyoming. and have driven my samurai up eisenhower tunnel on 70. that was rough. I think i am going to take 70 never been maybe some good scenery before colorado. already been though colorado on 70.

Jon D

 

I have run over the continental divide on both freeways more times than I can count.

The grades on I-80 are a LOT easier than I-70. On I-70 you will have to pull two big mountain passes, first one going into the Eisenhower Tunnel and the second over Vail pass.

That said I would take I-70 anyway. It has some of the best scenery the country has to offer; and it is easy to get to Moab from I-70. From I-80 you either have to backtrack or spend a LOT of time on two lane highway.

Take your time and enjoy the ride. The strech of I-70 that runs through Glenwood Canyon was the last section of the original Interstate system to be completed (early to mid 90's). When you get there you will know why. If you are there in the winter, overnight in Glenwood and visit the giant outdoor pool, it is awesome. There is just something about swimming while it is snowing.

If you have an exhaust brake it will earn its' keep on either route. You have a long steady grade from Evanston Wyoming to Coalville Utah and then Parley's Canyon into Salt Lake on I-80. On I-70 the back side of Eisenhower, the drop into Vail and Glenwood Canyon (all in Colorado) are long and hit 6% in a lot of places.

If you ever wondered what heaven looks like, jump off of I-70 at Grand Junction and take Hwy 50 to Montrose then take Hwy 550 down to Ouray. You will never know true sadness until you have seen it and left.

 

I've also driven both routes a few times, I-70, as previously stated, is a looooonnng climb and an even longer decent, but it's a beautiful drive from Denver all the way to Moab. I-80 isn't very picturesque, but there aren't many steep grades, so you can cruiuse the entire way; there are VERY strong winds along I-80, I see wrecked trucks dragged off the highway all the time. (I can see I-80 just out my fiont door) I would keep a close eye on the weather before you decide which route to take, if its snowing in the rockies aviod I-70, high winds on I-80, aviod going that route.

 

....hey, and why not go through leadville, over independence pass, then back down to 70 through Apsen?

just kidding. do NOT do that!

 

Take I-70 and plan your trip so you pass through Effingham, IL at meal time. Lot's of good resteraunt's. If you like Mexican, go to El Rancherito. As good a Mexican food as you can find anywhere and inexpensive. You'll be passing within 8 miles of my house when you go through Altamont. Missouri is real pretty on I-70. Make sure you take the 270 loop on the North side of St. Louis. You don't want to go through town on 70. Kansas is pretty in a different way, lot's of rolling ground with not many trees. We've done the trip on I-70 from Illinois to Denver before and really enjoyed the change in scenery. We really live in a beautiful country.

 

going that way myself in a couple weeks. have to go to cheyene wy and then on to walla walla wash. I'm towing a 46' gooseneck with three axle electric brakes , hopefully it will behave itself going down those long desents.
haven't routed it out yet but from Michigan i assume it will be I 80.

 

Thanks for the info. I am actuall stopping in kansas and grand juction Co. to see some friends. I have been to moab before a few times when i used to live in laramie WY. I hope to move back next year just moved back here last july. Anyways looks like i am going to take 70. 80 is too far out of the way i have figured out anyways. Thanks for all the by pass tips. I dont have an exhaust brake so i hope i will be fine. i plan on getting one eventually.
JonD

2000 2500 regcab 4x4 bfg 285s
4.10s auto bd valvebody,torqueloc perfect shift coverter
4in stait pipe to 5in stacks, bhaf
gauges. no power mods but very soon

 

I drove from Denver to Breckenridge, Leadville, Vail and other locations all the time with an auto and without an exhaust brake and never had any problems. It's nice to have but if you're careful and take your time through those areas, you'll be okay. I think that you'll find the hill from Georgetown to Lawson to be about the toughest when you go up it. It's not very long. I tihnk only 2 or 3 miles, but you'll find regular cars and trucks going 35 up that hill with no power to spare. This is where the diesel shines. I loved going 60-65 up that hill and passing little cars like they were going backwards. ahh, the good days. sometimes I miss colorado.

 

Wellll...maybe because Independence Pass is not open yet for the season??!

 

JonD,
I70 thru Missouri has been consistently ranked one of the worst roads in the nation for some years. They're working on it, but the MODot has yet to figure out how to pave/resurface a road. I70 east from KC is underconstruction now. I haven't driven I70 from St. Louis to KC, but I know it's rough & bad, lots of accidents. If you've got a CB check with the truckers, they'll tell ya.

If you run into trouble or need help, give me a hollar, I'm not too far south of KC.
On the east side of KC right off I70 there's a Cabela's if you're looking for a nice rest and a Famous Dave's BBQ right next door.

Have a Good Trip.

 

the bad pavement will not be so bad. The roads in Mass are probally the worst in the country. pot holes that swallow cars telephone poles half in the road many places instead of moved back they just pave around them . never mind trying to go to boston with the big dig the biggest and most messed up public works project of all time. Thanks for the info on the bbq. i might just have to stop.
jond

 

Here's another vote for I-80.... Anything to avoid Denver traffic.....