Drive San Jose -> Fort Collins - Dec, Jan? (Denver: motel, live in)

[bdemil]

Hi all

My wife and I are thinking of making the big move to CO in Dec or Jan, but we were wondering about all those mountains and snow along the way. We have a small front wheel drive at the moment, so no 4WD until later.

Is there some route from No. Calif to Ft. Collins that is likely to be clear that time of the year? Via Phoenix and NM maybe?

And would Dec be better than Jan for less snow maybe?

Any help appreciated!

[Crackerjack]

In the winter, from Phoenix, I take Interstate 10 to Las Cruces and up I25 to Colorado Springs and on to Denver to see my family and friends in the metro Denver area. Going up 17 to Flagstaff, you can run into snow and over Wolf Creek can be bad on Highway 160. You do have the pass by Raton on I25 but usually it is much better than the others.

[2bindenver]

check http://www.cotrip.org/ for road closures and weather related highway closures.

[bdemil]

So my idea of going through the Southwest is pretty much the only choice then, right? Just want to confirm that since it's definitely the long way around from the San Fran / San Jose region.

[abcde]

I have the same question, but from LA to Durango in mid November. Would the weather be bad then? What about from Durango to TN, any roads that might not be driveable? We were thinking mid November was still early enough, but what do I know?

[xxman777]

Originally Posted by bdemil

So my idea of going through the Southwest is pretty much the only choice then, right? Just want to confirm that since it's definitely the long way around from the San Fran / San Jose region.

If I had to take that drive and was driving a passenger car I would take 80, keeping in mind that I could hit some pretty dangerous situations. I would make sure and pack a survival kit, but they keep Interstates pretty well plowed, and if it becomes dangerous they are going to close the road. I do have a lot of experience driving in the snow though and that might factor in your decision. However, if I had to drive a UHaul I would take the extra days and go south. There is not enough money in the world to get me to drive though the mountains in the winter in a large truck. Also December would be a better time to do that drive, but if you are going south I'm not sure it matters.

[ncrea]

I have relatives who live in San Jose and they always drove back for Christmas coming the I-80 route.

I don't think your chances of hitting bad weather in Wyoming are any greater than hitting a storm coming over Raton Pass on I-25. The other think about coming from the south on I-25 is that you will also hit Monument just north of Colorado Springs, which can be as bad or worse than some of the passes.

Take 2b's advice and check the roads and weather sites before you start out.

If you need any help locating a place to stay or buy, look me up.

[Crackerjack]

Bdemil, I agree with the others, if you take the north route, go on I-80. Utah can get some good amounts of snow sometimes, so check with the weather before you go. Whatever you do, I'd avoid I-70. It can be really scary when snow hits and it can get a lot of snow to boot.

Abcde, from LA, you can go up I-15 then over to I-40 and go to Flagstaff and Gallup and then at Gallup go up Hwy 491. Flagstaff can get snow. It never did seem as bad there as up in the Rockies like Wolf Creek, but just make sure Flagstaff is OK and that is the way I'd go since it is much quicker. November should be fine for southern Colorado but check the weather since there can be storm systems come into Colorado, otherwise you should be fine.
From Durango to TN, go on Highway 550 to I-40 and go that way and you should be good to go.

[bdemil]

OK - I see 80 goes through Salt Lake then WY and then I hit Rt. 25 down into Ft Collins.

I remember seeing snow on the mountains. in June when driving to visit my sister in Salt Lake once. So I think we'll need some luck in getting all the way across NV and UT in Dec or Jan without some of the fluffy white stuff slowing us down.

We'll be in a front-wheel drive compact with a small u-Haul trailer on it if you can believe that. But I can bring some light chains in case we need them.

I suppose if one or two days get bad, we can always stop into a motel and let them get the highway cleared before we continue.

We'll also take some winter survival stuff and a deck of cards in case we get stranded way out there. We've been watching SurvivorMan (See: survivorman dot ca) so we've got some good pointers too! (Episode 5 - Canadian Arctic Survial)

[2bindenver]

include food, an extra blanket, flashlight & batteries, AAA or other Auto club card (and membership dues are paid), water, fully inflated spare, cell phone, check in with someone on a schedule, and let them know your route.

be prepared for anything, and nothing usually happens.