Which route to Denver, Co.

[nvs4602]

Going to Denver Colorado and we have always taken I70. Looking at the map itlooks like for us taken I80 is about the same mileage. Is there any pros or cons to I80. Over I70. Just thought we could see some different scenery.

[Rhumblefish]

Were it winter, I’d stick with the tried and true i70. Straight and simple. But warmer weather (and less wind) means i80 is viable (plus, the world’s largest truck stop outside of the quad cities). But 80 under Chicago is pretty heavily traveled. And you’re up there with tolls (and i pass system).

Car? I80. Truck and trailer? Boring is better: i70.

RV? Tossup, esp if you stop along the way. I don’t think you can make a mistake with your rig. Try and time Chicago to avoid weekend traffic, but it’ll be busy anytime.

Just my .02.

[Ohinaz1970]

I've taken both routes and I assure you, It will be a cold day in XXXX before I'd ever tackle driving past Chicago again.

Non-working toll booths, construction, lanes closed, pot-holes deep enough to cause trim inside my RV to fall off the ceiling.

Good luck!

[Coolharts]

Personally I would stay off the Interstate as much as possible and take US highways. That is what we have done on our current trip from NC to as far west as Salt Lake City. We are in far Southern Idaho heading to Fort Collins, Colorado tomorrow.

[Magdeep]

Take 70 to Indianapolis, then 74 to the Quad Cities then pick up 80. Simple.

[woody9]

I prefer 24 unless I’m under a time crunch to get there. Prefer the less traveled route and time to smell the dandelions!

[nvs4602]

Thanks for all the replies. I can agree about Chicago. I have driven through there, and yes it is always a mess.

[Sunseeker16]

I 70 through Indianapolis is closed for construction. A couple weeks ago I came through the 465 south detour and traffic was a bear. Also I 70 in Kansas has a stretch of tolls. Easy to go around the toll on 24 between the Missouri/Kansas border at Bonner Springs to Topeka then get back on 70. I 80 through Chicago, never for me.

[GoPa]

If you want to avoid some heavy truck traffic and don't mind a 65 mph speed limit once in a while, look at this route:
--Interstate 74 to Champaign
--Interstate 72 to US 36 in Missouri. Low truck traffic compared to other Interstates
--US 36 to Interstate 29 across Missouri. You will wonder "where is everybody"
--Interstate 29 north to Nebraska Route 2.
--Nebraska Route 2 to Interstate 80 west to Denver
Check the various DOT sites to see what if any construction might be underway
I am using the last half of this route to go to Jackson, WY

[Sunseeker16]

Originally Posted by GoPa

If you want to avoid some heavy truck traffic and don't mind a 65 mph speed limit once in a while, look at this route:
--Interstate 74 to Champaign
--Interstate 72 to US 36 in Missouri. Low truck traffic compared to other Interstates
--US 36 to Interstate 29 across Missouri. You will wonder "where is everybody"
--Interstate 29 north to Nebraska Route 2.
--Nebraska Route 2 to Interstate 80 west to Denver
Check the various DOT sites to see what if any construction might be underway
I am using the last half of this route to go to Jackson, WY

Good choice. I've used this route several times going to Pennsylvania from Missouri. Good roads, light traffic. This route will miss Indianapolis, St. Louis and Kansas City on I 70.

[DustyRoads]

We are traveling west in August from Albany NY. I was planning I90 then I80 to Denver.
What other interstate options to bypass Chicago?

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Sunseeker16

I 70 through Indianapolis is closed for construction. A couple weeks ago I came through the 465 south detour and traffic was a bear. Also I 70 in Kansas has a stretch of tolls. Easy to go around the toll on 24 between the Missouri/Kansas border at Bonner Springs to Topeka then get back on 70. I 80 through Chicago, never for me.

! 70 in kansas has but one the Topeka turnpike and is not expensive only 6 bucks for truck and dual axle trailer . it truly is a waste of time to try and detour around the one nice toll with good service areas . with the price of fuel you'll spend more detouring then going through.

[rdailey]

I80 has Tolls and all around Chicago was a MESS for traffic and construction when I went to PA from Colorado last September. A lot of it after that is nice but that section sucked IMO.

[Sunseeker16]

Originally Posted by MR.M

! 70 in kansas has but one the Topeka turnpike and is not expensive only 6 bucks for truck and dual axle trailer . it truly is a waste of time to try and detour around the one nice toll with good service areas . with the price of fuel you'll spend more detouring then going through.

K 24 paralelles I 70 in many cases you can see the interstate. Not out of the way at all and doesn't cost more to avoid the toll.

[hkreck]

I just went down I-70 thia morning if you want your teeth shaken out of your head go ahead. But I'd look I-80

[Coolharts]

We drove I-25 thru Denver yesterday up to Fort Collins. I am finding another way to our next stop, no way do I want to drive that road again. Traffic was horrible!

[Sunseeker16]

Traffic through Denver is horrible. I would go out of my way to avoid it. C 470 will cost you big time if you choose that route.

[rdailey]

C470 on the west side if free. E470 on the east side has the tolls. I think one full trip around E470 either direction is ~$15.00. You cannot get to C470 without going to Golden to pick it up.

I25 from Wellington to Mead is all construction and narrow winding lanes. Past that going south I don't know.

[nvs4602]

Well we made it to Colorado. We took I-70 the whole way. Wasn't horrible, but the first 20 miles or so coming into Colorado was terrible it will beat you to death.

[MisterVick]

Anything but the plains of Kansas for me. That and Kansas Highway Patrol has never outgrown their stigma of being prone to stopping out of state vehicles. But that's not statistically proven or known to me, just a belief.

But if you decide on Nebraska and would like a fantastic stay overnight or for a few days, I recommend Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Ashland. They also have a Strategic Air Command Museum in the little itty-bitty town of Ashland that is amazing! And the park has, or used to have since I haven't been there in a while, a catch and release pond, horseback riding, mini-golf, a live theatre they operate in the summer months, hiking trails and lots of other activities plus laundry, nice camp spots, etc.