Driving from Reno to Denver in winter
 

Thinking about driving from Reno to Denver via hyw. 50 over to I 15 in Utah, then I 70 into Denver in January. How would winter travel on this route be or would it be best to go via I 80 to I 25? We are in mid 50's and driving a wheel SUV but not real adventerous on rough roadways. Also, how are the hotels around Reno? Any other advice on this route alternative would be appreciated.

I-80/I-25 is clearly the preferred route in winter, with much lower elevation than I-70. But the important thing is to follow the weather and road conditions closely and don't take any risks. Bring food and blankets with you and keep the gas tank fairly full.

Best bets on hotels in/around Reno are the ones at the larger casinos.

I much prefer the I-70 route. I-70 is a major transcontinental roadway and the various transportation departments do an excellent job keeping it open and sanded. It is a much more scenic route than I-80 to I-25 and there is nothing at all rough about the trip.

The advice to check road and weather conditions just before you depart is good. Either,both, or neither routes could be having or expecting poor conditions or closures but there is no wat to predict that accurately more than 1-2 days in advance.

I have traveled across the Rockies at least 50 times during winter. The only time I was stopped by weather was once before the Eisenhower Tunnel was opened and you still had to drive over Rabbit Ears Pass.

I've never driven Hwy 50 through Nevada in the winter, but it has about twice the number of mountain passes as I-80 and they are higher elevation passes. We just drove I-80 though Nevada and I noticed before each pass they have a chain up area so Nevada DOES gets snow! Like rkkwan said, watch the weather and check road conditions before you go.

That said, I love driving Hwy 50 though Nevada. It's called the Loneliest Highway in America but, it's my favorite route. I also think I-70 is more scenic thought Utah and Colorado than I-80 is though Wyoming.

Utahtea