Where does I-68 in MD rank in steep grades?

I never been out west. The 13 miles is not that bad and it is not all down hill. What kills me is the 45 MPH speed limt . There is A bridge at the bottom that always seems to be backed up with traffic. I run that way a lot. Try doing it at 79k and no Jake break.

 

I don't recall how long Vail is (check on mapquest, eh?) but its quite long and there are 7 to 8% grades on it - both sides. Same with the approaches to the Eisenhower tunnel, especially on the west side. Mt Vernon Canyon is 6%, but many folks get lured into thinking that once they are on the final descent that is all there is, especially with the view of metro Denver. There is a "deadman's curve" at the bottom near the Morrison exit that has killed many truckers.

Being that much of this is above 10,000 feet, the weather can be quite awful - right into April and at times May. You must carry chains from Sept 1st through June 1st, and when the chain law is up there are no exceptions. Sunday afternoon is a good time to avoid I70 this time of year from Vail east - too many 4-wheelers trying to get back to Denver from skiing all weekend.

 

It's not terrible, but if you add up ALL the up-n-down climbs you do on that road, I'd swear you could have reached the moon. That is one of the most "roller-coaster" like highways I have been on, and it is a MPG killer.....I hate it, but it is also cheaper than running the PA turnpike still. SO it is hit-or-miss with me. But there are some MUCH worse grades.

 

I68 is only bad because of the hill but its not all that dangerous. west of Denver you have Vail,Eisenhower,Ford all back to back to back. Donner in California has a 40 mile downgrade. Tehachapi in california is also worse than I68. Cabbage is no fun in the winter. Fourth of July in Idaho aint no fun either. Sandstone in West Virginia is a son of a gun too I took that mountain slow and still smoked my brakes (new trailer). But 68 is often avoided because of the hills I would rather take the toll road so If you want to rank according to the avoid factor west of Denver is number 1 and I 68 is number 2 the others sometime you cant avoid them.

 

Do you know how expensive it is to run the PA Turnpike from the line to Philly??? Just under $180.......

 

Get on at New Stanton and get off at Breezewood, basically stay on 70. Although 70 from Washington, PA to the turnpike sucks.

 

When I trained I loved using 68 as a training tool,the ride from split to split is a constant reminder to keep on top of things,Cumberland MD has to be the town that smells like hot brakes LOL,used to be a local bear that would sit on the EB bottom b4 you hit the town,if you were smoking he would pull you over

And it never fails ,everytime i transit it It seems im close to gross

 

Yeah, that's what I do. If you're routed midwest to NYC and NE, I80 is the bet. Midwest to Philly and south... I70. Its only $37 and change.

 

It may be expensive to run the turnpike but do you know how much fuel you will burn pulling 45,000 lbs across I68. that highway and the whole state of west virginia will eat up alot of fuel the toll roads have hill but not like 68