I-70 and trucks (Denver, Vail: construction, cities, winter)

[Bigfoot424]

Wife and I are coming west across the US on I-40. Truck traffic is of course heavy so when we leave to head back in a couple weeks I'm looking at coming to Denver then east on 70. Thoughts on this road for as far as you are familiar with it please. Our route back goes to NW Va.

[COcheesehead]

When I want to see what a route is like, I search for variations of it on YouTube. There are usually dash cam videos of what I am looking for.

I 70 from all my years of travel experience also has a lot of truck traffic.

[BarryK123]

I went skiing yesterday and there was an hour delay in Idaho Sprgs due to construction on I-70 (and 30 monutes coming back east). No idea how long this is supposed to last.

Why don't they do stuff like this at night?

Getting back to your question, 70 is very hilly in CO. Lot of trucks, too. Then there's always the risk of a snowstorm. This time of year, I'd stick with 40.

[Arrby]

It is not at all clear that the OP is going to be west of Denver. Weather excepted, there is no particular advantage to using either Interstate from I-25 east. There is truck traffic on both and my seat-of-the-pants feeling is that I-40 may carry slightly more than I-70.

Weather can close either Interstate. I would strongly suggest keeping a close watch on the forecasts and choose your route accordingly.

[Gorges]

Originally Posted by Arrby

It is not at all clear that the OP is going to be west of Denver. Weather excepted, there is no particular advantage to using either Interstate from I-25 east. There is truck traffic on both and my seat-of-the-pants feeling is that I-40 may carry slightly more than I-70.

Weather can close either Interstate. I would strongly suggest keeping a close watch on the forecasts and choose your route accordingly.

That was my impression as well, that the OP might mean I70 east of Denver. We do that drive a couple of times a year, I-70 east from Denver to VA, visit family in several states, and then I80 back. On our last trip in September, we never encountered traffic issues or backups either way. I'm sure the trucks were there, but the only time I remember them being annoying was on I80 out of Omaha. Or maybe we're numb to the drive by now and don't even notice. We've done I40 in the past but we are so not fans of I40 in TN that we avoid it if at all possible.

[Dogmama50]

If you are entering Colorado from Utah on I-70 be aware that we have traction laws, which means in a snow storm you must have 4 wheel/all wheel drive or M+S tires. https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tractionlaw

Glenwood Canyon, very beautiful drive but can be icy. Vail Pass, over 10,000 feet, can be snow packed and icy with steep grades. Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnel, over 11,000 feet can also be snow packed and icy with steep grades. Ski traffic on Sundays can be horrific, especially combined with a holiday or snow storm.

We have plenty of trucks here too so if that is your biggest issue I would stay on I-40 and have less risk of severe weather. Keep an eye on the weather for either, 40 can be sketchy but the grades aren't as steep as 70.

[COcheesehead]

Pretty sure the OP is talking East from Denver.

[Brill]

If you are looking for efficiency, personally I'd go the route that takes you through the fewest large cities.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

Pretty sure the OP is talking East from Denver.

Flat as a pancake until the app mts. Unless there is a blizzard.

[Bigfoot424]

Sorry for the confusion. We'll be in Chandler, AZ and I prefer to come up 191 to Crescent Junction then start east but I know this is likely not wise so we'll likely do 40 to Albuquerque then 70 barring unusual weather predictions for the area. We are in a Ford 150 4x4 and I worked 30 years as a LEO driving in snow as obviously I was essential. That said, I still don't want to be stuck somewhere due to weather.