aespinoza

Hello all,

I need some guidance ....At the end of this month I will be moving to Fort Collins, CO from Los Angeles and undecided on how I want to get there. I'll be driving alone out there and plan to make the most of this experience while being smart about costs...I plan on using AirBnB. I took a road trip this past summer and went to Zion, took highways 12, 62, 24 etc (and fell in love) and up to Fort Collins. I loved Utah and would not mind one bit taking the scenic routes again but have also never been to the Grand Canyon. As much as I'd love to visit the Grand Canyon, knowing me, I wouldn't stay very long due to the fact that I'd be alone and eager to go from one place to the next. I want to make the most of this trip and Ideally I'd take about 4 days or so (flexible). I know the roads can be dangerous this time of year but one thing to consider is I do have an AWD. I won't be towing anything, it'll just be me in my little SUV and belongings. All I know is I want to avoid I-70 at all costs and don't want to detour to much (to save miles on my car). Any and all help will be appreciated. Thank you!

-April

tomfuller

The shortest (fastest) way is using I-15 and I-70 to Denver.
The route via I-40 (split in Barstow) is about 200 miles farther not including a spur trip to the South Rim GC.
Where did you want to spend NYE?
Using I-40 the first night would be in Williams AZ.
In the morning consider the weather and decide if you really want to drive up to Grand Canyon Village.
Night 2 would be in Albuquerque.

annw

My son and his (now) wife lived there year before last and got married there; love the town.

Given time of year southern route (AZ then north to Albuquerque, maybe Santa Fe?) Might work?

Good luck!

HappyTrvlr

Ft. Collins is a great town. Enjoy.

Gretchen

NOt sure why you want to avoid I70--the scenery is beautiful, but of course, once you live in FC, you can see it all the time.

aespinoza

Tomfuller thank you for the help! I looked up Williams, AZ and happened to find one B&B left at $40 a night. I could also take the train from the hotel to the GC. Great idea. Thanks!

aespinoza

Gretchen, I-70 is full of construction. During my last trip, a 5 hour drive turned into a 8hr nightmare. I was so over Colorado before I even got to enjoy it. Of course all that changed when I got to Fort Collins.

Nelson

I live in Fort Collins.

I'd have a couple of route options in mind then make a decision based on weather a few days before, following Tom Fuller's thoughts. I'd be tempted to take the I-40 option, which follows the old "get your kicks on Route 66". Lots of things to see (some with detours) all along that route. Then up I-25 through Santa Fe, another nice stop as mentioned above.

If the weather is cooperative you could get off the interstates and head into SW Colorado near Mesa Verde and make your way across the state from there, heading towards Buena Vista via several options. Avoid I-70 on Sunday at all costs,

No one knows what will happen, but I-40 is often best that time of year. Bottom line, IMHO, have plans for 2 or 3 options, then make a weather based choice.

Good luck!

fmpden

Not sure when and where you run into construction on I-70 but at the moment is no major construction anywhere on I-70 in Colorado. But as mentioned earlier, I-70 east bound on Sunday afternoons between Vail and Idaho Springs should be avoid because of the return ski traffic from Denver.