AbbieRoad

If you had to drive from Louisville, Kentucky to San Francisco in January, which route would you take? I won't be stopping to see anything really, this trip is more about efficiency.

Generally, my choices seem to be I-80 or I-40, with some less important differences at the beginning of the trip, around St. Louis / Kansas City, or Nashville / Little Rock. My main concern is, is I-80 generally too snowy / windy / wintery to drive all the way across it in January? Specifically through Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada?

Either way, I'm NOT taking I-70 through Denver -- that seems like the worst choice.

I'm open to suggestions. Just not sure what these areas of the country (and their interstate conditions) are like in January. (Specific route options detailed below for those interested.) Thanks, all!

I-64 to I-70 to I-29 to I-80:
Louisville, KY
St. Louis, MO
Kansas City
Lincoln, NE
Cheyenne, WY
SLC, UT
Elko, NV
Reno, NV
Sacramento, CA
SF

or

I-64 to I-44 to I-40 to I-5:
Louisville, KY
St. Louis, MO
Tulsa, OK
OK City, OK
Amarillo, TX
Albuquerque, NM
Flagstaff, AZ
SF, CA

nytraveler

In January I would always do the southern route. But be aware that you will going through mountains somewhere and bad weather is always possible. Be sure you

Listen to local radio weather all the way
Make sure your car has everything in good condition
Don;t let the gas in your tank go below half
Be sure you have water and at least snacks in the car with you
And a blanket or car rug of some sort

I carry a snow shovel and cat litter (for ice) in my car from Nov through April - just in case of bad weather.

Dukey1

I can tell you from personal experience that I-80 can be a bear in January and that, of course, totally depends on the weather. A ground blizzard in Nebraska or heavy snow in Wyoming, especially between Cheyenne and Laramie, can be quite hazardous.

wtm003

I'd let the weather reports guide which highway to choose. Driving through the wide open space of Wyoming during a storm scares me more than driving through Denver where there are multiple options for shelter. Then again, the flat lands of Eastern Colorado and Kansas can also be tricky. Be flexible. Listen to the news, take your time and stop for the day if necessary and be willing to adjust your route.

AAFrequentFlyer

Take I-40 route.

MmePerdu

I've had to make similar choices in winter on these routes and, as mentioned, the worst choice is not a given place but where the weather dictates. While longer, if there are storms farther north, dipping down to I-10 may take the least time because you miss the Rocky Mountains (and others). This is one of those trips that must be played as it comes.

AbbieRoad

All very good points, and confirms my suspicious about I-80 in the winter! I'll probably aim for 40, with a willingness to drop down to 20 or 10 if necessary. Thanks, all, for the very good tips, too!

HappyTrvlr

To be safe, I-10. Many trucks use I-10 in the winter instead of 80,70, or 40 to avoid snow and ice.

MmePerdu

I-20 doesn't go to CA, so it would be both, 20 to connect with I-10.

I-40 through Flagstaff is at 7,000'+ elevation. It doesn't mean there's snow all the time but if there's any it can be treacherous. Same with 70 & 80. I-10 goes through the part of Arizona and New Mexico that's home to "snowbirds" in winter, and that's meaningful in January.

Gretchen

There's nothing "wrong" with 70. Denver is not difficult to get through. Mountain snow is mountain snow. 80 and blizzards DO happen.

WhereAreWe

Yes, I'm not sure what is 'wrong' with I-70 through Denver. It's an interstate highway so it is kept in good condition normally. Leave Denver after breakfast and you're in Utah by mid-afternoon.

Pick the shortest route and adjust based on the weather. Shortest route is I-80 and about 33 hours. Since you aren't planning on making a lot of stops, you can make it to San Francisco in 4 days fairly easily. If there's a major weather system predicted somewhere along the route, you can adjust and take an alternate route.

I think it's good to have a general idea of where to go but things happen and you're going to have to be flexible. There's just no point in settling on a certain route now because any of them are subject to snow or ice storms. Don't even bother trying to plan the exact route til a couple days before you leave, and even then keep watching the weather to make sure nothing has changed.

AbbieRoad

So, of course there's nothing "wrong" with I-70 through Denver (it's all the mountain passes along Vail, etc., that I'd be worried about anyway, not Denver), and of course they keep the interstates plowed, but I just figured I-70 (and 80 in parts) would be most likely, statistically, to have "weather events" arise in January.

And I know I-20 doesn't go all the way to California, haha!

utahtea

Even if it wasn't in the winter, I'd prefer I-40. To me the scenery changes more often and it's more scenic. Sorry I-80 but you can be so monotonous!

Utahtea

Dukey1

Blizzards are really "scenic."

Ackislander

Snow is the greater possibility on I-80 but I-40 has ice, arguably worse.

Of course, either might have neither, but you might wind up having to spend a extra night or two en route. I have, both in Alabama and in Iowa.

Have some food with you ( you aren't going to drive anywhere for dinner on glare ice) and some reading matter, whether paper or electronic. Be patient.

AbbieRoad

Haha, blizzards are totally scenic! And here's a little secret -- I wouldn't mind taking a more northern route to see some beautiful snow-covered mountains, but I can't afford to waste TOO many days in rerouting or stalling because of weather.

Again, good tips with the food and blankets, etc. Thanks, all!

fmpden

I would keep it as far south as your reasonable can. January tends to be a dry month in Colorado and the mountains. Doesn't mean that it cannot snow but snow totals generally are lower for Jan than later months.

But a bigger reason to stay out of snow country is where you are from. A vehicle from Louisville most likely is not well equipped, especially tires, to deal with much snow and ice. Before you leave make sure your are a running winter oil with good anti-freeze, and windshield wipers and washer is working. With cell phones you don't as prepared as you once were but you should be. We carry a large coffee can half filled with sand and some big candles. If for some reason you are isolated somewhere, good clothing, a blanket and the candles in your car will keep the inside above freezing. Far, far safer than running your car engine for heat.

peterboy

The southern route makes more sense but more important is the forecast. You need to go into "weather nerd" mode the week before departure.

The northern option is, by far, the least scenic. Boring from Kansas City to Reno...just shoot me...never again. At least your southern route perks up somewhere after Amarillo.