Hey guys I'm going to head up to Wyoming in a couple of weeks, to move my grandma down here to Missouri. I'll be driving up there empty, then back with a little U-Haul 6'x12' trailer. I'd like to know which route you fellas recommend. I've attached what Microsoft S&T thinks are the best three routes. Basically along I-70, I-80, or I-90? Thanks guys!

Option 1


Option 2


Option 3

 

I dont have any direct experience with those routes but they all look like interstate driving. The 1st route looks to be the most direct. What are the distances on those routes? I would prolly take the shortest interstate route.

 

I-70 = 1254.7 miles
I-80 = 1202.1 miles
I-90 = 1225.9 miles

I didn't know if going through Denver would be a pain, or if the other routes are a lot hillier. The mileage is all pretty close, I just didn't know if one route was better then the others.
Thanks,
Nick

 

I-70 would be the most direct route.. good roads, well maintained. not too many hills except for the Flint hills until you get into CO. Plan on 12-14 hours for the Columbia to Denver leg( depends on how much sleep ya got before ya start). Plenty of services and rest areas right on the interstate.

If you take that route, you'll pass about 10 miles from me, so if you need anything, ya can holler!

80 across Ne is a good road, very well maintained on the parts I've driven. Traffic seems to flow at about 80 MPH all the time! pretty flat, you have to leave the interstate and go a few miles off to the side for fuel and services. Havent noticed as many rest areas in Ne as in Ks....

You dont have to leave the interstae in Denver, its not too bad.. Going through Omaha and KC are both a PITA (IMHO)
Plan on at least an hour from one side of KC to the other, hour nad a half if you go north on 29 towards Omaha.
Going through Omaha was fairly easy last time I went that way( was pulling a 28ft flatbed, had no problems w/traffic or roads)
Ive made the trip from St Louis to Cheyenne and OKC to Wichita to Cheyenne a few times and I've always taken 70, because its the straightest route ..theres really nothing to see along the way on either one through most of KS and NE....

 

After OTR truck driving 20+ yrs based out of Kansas City, my favorite route west where you're headed would be the I-80 corridor, most likely only because several hours of Kansas bores me to death! ;-) Plus you avoid the sometimes crowded Denver metro area, and finally, up until recent new road pavings, Kansas roads were the pits!! Alot would depend on the seasons also, winter they are all a PITA, but as of now any should be good. As of right now today, and because you are headed that far north of Casper, I'd tend to go I-90(the last one) simply to see MUCH more mountain scenery(if you're interested in it) and enjoy the trip as a mini-vacation. Nebraska doesn't really have much different scenery than Kansas, but the I-90 route also means more hills and less fuel mileage too. Good luck, kinda wish you were asking for someone to drive up there and get her for you; I miss the road at times and always jump at the chance for a trip! :-)

 

I've been on all three of those routes at one time or another. There is nothing to see along any of them, so I'd pick the shortest route, then maybe the second shortest for the trip back. The only thing that I90 woould offer would be the Black Hills area. I80 would offer Cabelas in Sydney, NE. I70 would offer ????????. I do have to say the drive from Denver north to Cheyenne would be a pain for about half the trip, nothing but cars until around Ft. Collins, although the front range of the Rockies are beautiful.

Good luck, Drive Careful.

 

Hey guys thanks, there's alot of good info here!

92DuallyCTD-
Thanks for the advice! I'd take you with me, but my dad will be with me on the way there, and he and my grandma will be in the truck on the way back... might get kinda cramped. Plus, we'll be leaving on Thursday the 12th at around 7:30pm (I have class till then ), and driving straight through. Then leaving Worland, WY Saturday morning.

I really appreciate all the comments!

Thanks,
Nick

 

I've never taken 70, but have been most of the way you're going on both 80 and 90. 80 sucks, there is literally almost NOTHING to look at, fuel and food are often not close to the road. 90 is more scenic, fuel and food generally closer to the road, you get to cross the Missouri in SD (a really pretty spot) and there's a Cabela's in Mitchell on the south side of the interstate, right off the road. 90 also not outrageous hilly, 80 pancake flat. Just my opinion, and not my money I'd be spending on diesel fuel to drag the trailer up the hills.

 

No problem Nick660, I appreciate the offer in return! :-) Seems the general consensus points toward 80/90, or at least points away from 70, eh? I s'pose it's much like everything else in life...they all have their good/bad points, so it's simply personal choice(mine would still be 90!) you make. Have a safe and enjoyable trip - hey! Take a camera and snap a few to share with us since we can't tag along! Be careful, seeya on DTR when you return. :-)

 

The weather might have something to do with your choice. Also check for fuel prices in the states you might go thru. Gasbuddy.com will give you prices. Have a good safe tirp. If you have some time, stop and read the triva markers.

 

Go through South Dakota and avoid the traffic on I-80 and I-70. I-80 is awful for truck traffic and between Omaha and Grand Island theres always lots of traffic. Can't say as much for I-70, but Id want to avoid Denver. Id say I-90 is the least traffic and easiest driving.

Ive done the I-90 from Rapid to Omaha a million times. Takes 8 hours from Rapid to Omaha and from Omaha to Topeka is about 3.5 hours. Taken those routes many times to visit family. Plus theres lots to see along the way and plenty of good stops if neccessary.

Thats my .02.

 

I've traveled all three routes and going the I-80 route is the best IMO. Where are heading in Wyoming? Are you going to Thermopolis? I was born and raised there.

 

Going west bound take I70. Nothing like the view of the Rockies
just before getting to Denver. North on I25 allows for a pit stop
at the Grizzly Rose (a great dance hall).
East bound I80. This allows for a stop at Cabelas. This is the
only place I've ever seen men with crazed looks in their eyes
pushing shopping carts and wives yelling "can we go now."
Drive carefully--the winds are tricky.

 

Wow guys you have all offered great suggestions! I really appreciate all the information you have provided! I'll have to check on fuel prices along the different routes, and hopefully the weather will be good whichever way I choose to go (they are forecasting a mix for Easter here in Missouri ). I’m heading to Worland, so I’ll be just north of Thermopolis. Cabelas is just too tempting. I’ve spent many of hours in Bass Pro, so I could only imagine what Cabelas would be like ! I’ve only driven out west once (Moab), so I know that the winds and Denver traffic can be a pain. I’ll let you guys know which route I plan on taking. Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions!

Nick

 

Hey Nick, remember there is another new Cabela's(like 2yrs old - and it's huge) on the west side of Kansas City, Kansas, right on I-70 also. Located at the entrance to the NASCAR Speedway. You could hit that one enroute from St James and still decide which direction to go from there, no? Just more options to consider...have fun!! :-)
PS
I didn't catch your time frame earlier, I won't be back in KC till mid-May(in FL now), or I'd say holler and meet at PT's restaurant exit 28 I-70(Oak Grove MO). They have the BEST & LARGEST pork tenderloins and onion rings I have ever seen!! Big tenderloins really aren't that unusual, but OMG!! Their onion rings are cut from sweet onions the size of softballs or larger, and easily over 1in thick(or tall if you prefer)! A half order of onion rings can hardly be eaten by 2 adults, and even the waitress will try to talk you out of a full order. I poop you not, they should be one of those showcased places on The Food Network. Exit 28(that would be just before you would get to KC ya know...), go south about 3 blocks, on the left. The sign looks like PJ's, but it's PT's. Not to be missed...