US80 from Ft. Collins to Salt Lake City...

[Jim101]

We are getting ready for our first big trip. From Arkansas to Hill AFB in Ogden, UT. Our son and his family have just been relocated there.
We have been for the most part flat land campers, so what are we in for on US80 through Wyoming? We will be leaving mid-May and staying in a campground in Ogden for a month and doing some camping in the National Parks north of Ogden.
We have a 2014 F-150 Crew Cab 4X Ecoboost 6. Our TT is a 2015 Roo 21SS.

Thanks,

Jim

[Blackrock]

I-80 across Wyoming is just miles and miles of nothing. Winding and rolling in places but no real hard pulls. Biggest problem going west bound can be head winds.

[Jim101]

Blackrock,

Thanks for reply, I feel better about making that run through Wyoming now. We were going to go there at the start of April, but I kept reading about all the snow etc. they still get....
Mid-May seems like a better choice..

Thanks again,
Jim

[Blackrock]

Another tip: If you are coming out of Arkansas on I-70 and needing to get up to I-80 try to bypass the Denver mess if you can. I have traveled Rte. 385 north out of Burlington Co. up to Julesberg Co. It is a nice secondary hiway with light traffic, a couple small towns but just wide open prairie.

[f5moab]

Originally Posted by Blackrock

Another tip: If you are coming out of Arkansas on I-70 and needing to get up to I-80 try to bypass the Denver mess if you can. I have traveled Rte. 385 north out of Burlington Co. up to Julesberg Co. It is a nice secondary hiway with light traffic, a couple small towns but just wide open prairie.

I would assume you mean I-40?

[dj3spots]

The ride on 80 isn't bad at all. Used it this past summer on a trip from West to East coast. It is not called the Loneliest road for nothing. Lots of scenery not a lot of good places to stop. The rest area bathrooms were filthy; use your own if you can and take refreshments. Don't get me wrong, there are places to eat and get gas but I80 is nothing like I95 or I10. Enjoy and stay safe.


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[R&J Silverback]

As I guy that has driven over 4million miles through out US and CA I think I would stay on I40 to Albuquerque, NM north on 25 to us 550 to Shiprock, NM then North to Moab, UT to Price, UT over Soldier summit to I-15 north. to Hill AFB. This is one of the prettiest drives n the country

[Hiker12]

I agree with the last reply. Check out freecampsites.com. It can be useful when looking for reviews of free sites.

[gthomp10]

I live in Salt Lake City but spent the first 45 years of my life living in Ogden with the jets and cargo planes flying over my house to land at HAFB. My youngest son is a civilian employee at HAFB. He works on the fuel systems on F-16s.
You won't have any problems with I-80. There has been virtually no snow this year in the west other than the tops of the highest mountains. I doubt that you will even be able to see snow on the mountain tops along the way.
The biggest issue is the wind. The wind constantly blows in Wyoming and no matter which direction you're going, you will be facing a head wind.
The scenery is beautiful and there are plenty of cities along the way with commercial campgrounds. You will be driving through BLM land so there are plenty of opportunities for boondocking along the way. Enjoy the drive. I love the drive.

[LairdT]

After living for 31 years in Wyo, I can vouch for lots of wind along Interstate 80, some days worse than others. Check online forecasts, and make sure you have a good anti-sway hitch. If you are going over the pass from I-25 to Laramie on I-80, that stretch of the road has some decent camping spots, esp. at VedauVoo where there is lots of rock climbing, hiking etc. but no electric. Then you will be rested for driving across a part of Wyo that is scenic but not green/mountainous/grassy. Summertime can be very hot & dry, and you do go through the Red Desert. I-80 is also a major truck route so lots of traffic. There are RV camps in the towns along the way, but I would just get it over with because the Utah mountains, in my experience, are a much prettier place to camp. Don't leave your awning out in WYO!

[Jim101]

Well,we will be leaving Sat 5/16. I am looking at the road conditions on I80 from Ft.Collins to Salt Lake and most of it has snow,black ice , is that right? They are still dealing with winter there? Am I making a mistake by going this early to Utah? Jim

[Blackrock]

That should all be cleared up by the 16th. Just one of those Rocky Mountain springtime squalls.

[UT Cardinal]

99.9% of the time you should not have a problem with snow or ice that time of year. However, the wind generally blows across Wyoming every afternoon. Seems like I always have a head wind - either going east bound or west bound.

[Jim101]

Thanks for the good information on the weather. .......Are there any good campgrounds about half way into Wyoming?

Thanks again for your help, we are looking forward to spending time with our son and his family at Hill AFB, they just were relocated there ...

Jim

[UT Cardinal]

There are commercial campgrounds along I-80. You would only want to spend a night to rest up. You will be traveling the high desert plains of Wyoming, not the most attractive part of the country. I have stayed in both Rawlings & Cheyenne the campgrounds were OK with easy access on & off the interstate, I am sure there are others along the way (Rock Springs, Green River & Evanston?). The cities seem to be spread out about an hour apart as you cross the state - good luck!

[SuicideSaints]

Hi, I am located in the SLC area and I am from Denver, we travel back and forth often all different times of the year.

The worst stretch of roads normally is Cheyenne to Laramie, some times around the Rock Springs area. You usually dont see much adverse weather in terms of snow and ice this tiem of year, that area was just hit by a freak storm so it is a little wet/slick but should be clear by Sat.

Here is a good site for road info if you dont have it already. WYDOT Travel Information Service (Laramie), I just checked and it is clear/dry now

There are campgrounds or truck stops about every 90 miles in most places. There are only 2 longer hills and then just easier mountains near park city, the hardest obstacle is a steeper downhill in parleys canyon just before you enter SLC

[1A Camper]

We got about 4" snow in Denver Sat night, it is all gone and the roads are dry.
If that is Ft.Collins, Colorado, I assume you will be taking the cut off ( 287 ) to Laramie most 18 wheeler that are going west bound I 80 use it, good road.

[northstar1960]

Originally Posted by Jim101

Well,we will be leaving Sat 5/16. I am looking at the road conditions on I80 from Ft.Collins to Salt Lake and most of it has snow,black ice , is that right? They are still dealing with winter there? Am I making a mistake by going this early to Utah? Jim

Roads are open , no black ice . just came through I-80 2 days ago when it snowing and expecting more on sunday . even then it was not sticking to the roads and temps in the 40's and 50's . all clear now and should be good to go may get some rain . I would take I-70 myself but you'd have to go through the passes by the 16th all should be good

[Jim101]

Thanks guys for all the good information pointers.....Now AAA mapped me from Arkansas to 70 to Thonton Co. (25) to Laramie...Now does that seem like a good route? I noticed I can [pick up 80 just west of Kearney Neb. to SLC.
What do you think?

Thanks,

Jim

[Blackrock]

If it was me and coming into Colorado on I-70 and had no need to see the Denver area I would cut north on 385 at Burlington Co and on up to Julesburg Co and catch I-80 there. Plan on topping off your tank in Burlington as there are just a couple small town on that route.