CO trip
 

I am going to be making a cross country trip from southern CA to WI... I will be driving straight through with my girlfriend trying to make the best time possible on I-15 through Utah to I-70 to Denver and I-80 across Nebraska/Iowa and then North to WI. Any tips for me especially concerning chances of bad weather through the Rockies (trip will be the first or second week of November). Any advice would be great!

Bring chains. I will be going the other direction on 11/7, from the Continental Divide to SF. I fear I've waited too long as it is snowing right now. Good luck and have a safe drive.

Sounds like you are not interested in taking the scenic route. From southern Cal, couldn't you go a more southerly route, beginning with Arizona? Because weather in the Rockies is iffy in November (and just about any other month!). So if you can't afford to lose time on snowy roads and don't want to see mountains, try to avoid the Rockies.

I have considered a southernly route but it is longer (by almost 400 miles) and goes through larger cities (more congestion) and was hoping I would be lucky enough to escape bad weather and save time going through Denver. However if weather is too bad it won't make much sense to take a slower route just because it is shorter.

most likely you will be fine, unless we get a big storm. take grasshoppers advice and get chains just in case.

Grasshopper, we are in Denver this weekend and up next. Any chance of finally getting together for that glass of wine?

Topherjoe,

Don't worry about it too much. There are very few times that you won't be able to make it over Vail Pass or the Eisenhower tunnel approach, especially that early in the season. Stopping at a home convenience store and buying some sand to put over your wheels as weight for traction can be a good thing (doesn't apply to front wheel drive sedans as well). Most likely you won't need chains unless you get real unlucky. You could stop in Grand Junction and buy chains at a place just off the Interstate if the weather report is unfavorable, they would be much cheaper than in the Vail area and you wouldn't have to buy unless you really needed them. If you decide that way let me know and I'll send you directions to and a phone number for the chain place just off I-70 Grand Junction.

Don't sweat it,

BeanMan

I have plenty of experience driving in snow being that I am from Wisconsin. I don't however have any experience using chains since they are not legal in WI. I drive a front weel drive car (Mitsubishi Eclipse). Will chains work on this vehicle? Also, a number and directions would never hurt... just in case. Thank you all.

Coskier, I emailed you (I hope!). It's been snowing since last night. Supposed to snow off and on all next week. They haven't started making snow here yet. But they are eve

oops... everywhere else. :-)

Grasshopper no message? try [email protected]

I would not bother with chains. The probability of them being required is really remote. We have left ski resorts many times in blizzards and while the snow was deep, chains were never absolutely required--and I have a husband that is VERY experienced with them. The one time I had to get off the road was in Kansas--they don't take as good care of snow covered roads as CO--but this was in February.

I agree with the above re: adding some weight over your wheels. Most probably, front wheel drive is all you'll need for highway driving because they do clear the roads well here in CO. But, do add weight over your rear wheels, too. If your Mitsubishi is light like our Honda, it can use that added traction. Take your time, watch the conditions and drive safely.

BUT you do have to get through California and Utah. Chains are often required in CA.

Even if you have chains 99% of the drivers in front of you won't. Saw this happen on a residential street this morning on my icy trip to work. A guy with his chains on was sitting at the bottom of a hill while 20 cars in front of him were blocking the road while they spun their wheels helplessly.

If you were going to buy some I'd suggest going to a Checker Auto Parts or someplace like that near your home where you can easily return them at the end of your trip if you don't need them.

Well, it looks like I will be heading out in the next few hours here. I shouldn't be needing any chains here in CA, not sure about Utah though, I figure I can pick some up if that is the case. I will have enough weight as I am moving back to WI and have a lot of belonging's w/ me (and I have taken extra care to load evenly). Thanks for all the help and any last minute advice/ road condition reports would be appreciated.

I think you'll be fine. We had a couple inches of wet snow last night here in western Nebraska but it melted by noon today. Have a safe trip.

Blizzard conditions here in CO today but is supposed to clear up tomorrow. Only thing you can count on this time of year is that the weather will change rapidly. Good Luck.