[jlb80]

Hi all,

I am planning to drive from Las Vegas to Chicago in late December in order to relocate for work. I will have a dog with me, and am going to be driving a small front-wheel-drive vehicle.

Friends have told me to avoid the I-70 route through Denver, and so my route option now looks like staying on the I-40 and going through Flagstaff, Albuquerque, and Amarillo, then heading north through Oklahoma, Missouri, and on into Illinois.

I'd prefer to drive only in daylight hours each day, and end up in relatively larger cities to find pet-friendly hotels along the way. Right now I am thinking to try

Las Vegas --> Albuquerque (Day 1)
Albuquerque --> Oklahoma City (Day 2)
Oklahoma City --> St Louis (Day 3)
St Louis --> Chicago (Day 4)

Is this reasonable during this time of year with a dog? The trip has to be completed in 3.5-4.5 days based on some time constraints related to arriving in Chicago.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

[nevadaned]

I'd be conservative and say bet with the 4.5 days at least - car problems. You're right to stay south this time of year. St. Louis to Chicago can be a frustrating drive but besides that it's pretty easy.

4-500 miles a day is quite a bit of driving even on flat straight routes

[MSchu]

3.5-4.5 days is about what it will take depending on how and how fast you drive. I think driving east in winter might be somewhat easier on the pooch than the summer time without air conditioning(which is what I did).

hopefully weather is not going to play a roll in your trip, but chances are it will definitely.

Many hotels allow pets, but they usually give you the pet rooms... which can be pretty bad. I just stopped telling them about my dog and snuck them into the room(stopping at or requesting only single story motels).

Dramamine works really well for the animal while you are driving, just give them a half dose.

[BWNLV]

I agree about avoiding I-70. You need to keep an eye out on the weather the entire trip. Plan on stopping early if you run in to heavy winter weather. I was stranded in a snow storm on I-80 in Iowa overnight with a dead battery so no heat! We were trying to push it to get to a funeral. It's better to be safe than sorry. Good luck...you will love Chicago - it's one of the great cities in the world.

[jfkIII]

Originally Posted by jlb80

Hi all,

I am planning to drive from Las Vegas to Chicago in late December in order to relocate for work.

Just curious, will you be waving goodbye in the rearview mirror with one finger?

Good luck on your trip and new job.

[mntonv]

That sounds good. We're driving home to Minneapolis area for Christmas and going the same general route this time of year. We usually make the trip in three days, stopping in Albuquerque and Wichita. Safe travels.

[Buzz123]

Weather in several places along I-40 can be just as bad as on I-70, although not as steep and winding. Around Williams & Flagstaff, AZ, all across new Mexico, especially around Gallup, Grants, and Albuquerque, then the Texas panhandle can be really bad almost anytime of year. Just give yourself plenty of time in December no matter which way you go. Don't know if this is true, but I'd suspect Colorado is better prepared for snow removal. When I lived there, Albuquerque didn't have enough trucks in town, and I don't think the state did either. A couple of years ago many people were stuck and spent the night in their cars. Some were lucky enough to be taken in by local residents in the Tejeras Canyon east of Albuq. I've never driven I-40 in winter without hitting a blizzard and/or black ice somewhere along the route.

[dynimagelv]

I personally have driven both and prefer I-70 altho it is trickier.....winter storms cycle avout every 3 days....wait til one passes then jump in the car the next day and GOOOO....by the time the next one hits you;ll be out of the bad places....

LV to denver is easy IF you leave early in the morning....and thats the only bad spots...



OHHH Almost forgot....do NOT oet the dog drive....no matter how bad he wants to

[VLWH]

Originally Posted by jlb80

Hi all,

I am planning to drive from Las Vegas to Chicago in late December in order to relocate for work. I will have a dog with me, and am going to be driving a small front-wheel-drive vehicle.

Come on, don't be so critical, even ugly people have feelings.

[MSchu]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

I personally have driven both and prefer I-70 altho it is trickier.....winter storms cycle avout every 3 days....wait til one passes then jump in the car the next day and GOOOO....by the time the next one hits you;ll be out of the bad places....

LV to denver is easy IF you leave early in the morning....and thats the only bad spots...



OHHH Almost forgot....do NOT oet the dog drive....no matter how bad he wants to

preference has little to do with it, this poster is looking for reassurance and support. i40, is the best bet. how is your car OP... all checked up and ready to go?