Routing help

Okay, this is probably a dumb question, but here goes. How would you go from Ft. Collins, CO, to Imperial, CA? I70-I15-95-I8 looks like the most direct way, but I'd like to avoid I70 if possible. Is I25-I40-I17-I10-85-I8 any better? It's longer, but looks like it might be easier. I've never been on I17 though. It's gonna be a beer load, so I'll be pretty close to 80k. Should I just man up and take I-70?

 

According to PC Miler it is
1114 miles running I-70
1220 miles running I-25

 

Why dont you wanna take I 70?

 

According to Microsoft Streets and trips you re looking at 1112 miles with the first route you planned, and with the 2nd route its 1200 miles. If you take the 2nd route at least you ll be going downhill on I 17 versus uphill from Phoenix to Flagstaff. The 2nd route does seem to be a less of a hassle with the mountains. They have another route which you ll get off in Holbrook and take AZ 377, AZ 260, and AZ 87 to Phoenix, but I would go the extra 24 miles by interstate and go down I 17, unless you want mountainous 2 lane roads with 80,000 lbs

 

I'd go 25-80-40-15-215-15-5

 

I won 16.2 million on those exact lottery numbers just last week!!

 

That route does not make any sense at all. First of all, I 25 to I 80 is back tracking. Second, I 80 and I 40 do not meet. Third, why would he go to San Bernardino, Ontario, and down to San Diego to pick up I 5 when I 5 is no where near Imperial?

 

WHAT?

I'm your long lost relative!! Pass me some I won't turn you in for neglect and abandonment!

that is what I was thinking, May I suggest that you not come down 17 in Az. it is a long ways down that hill, And will be very slow. Remember you can go down a hill slow many times but you will only go down it fast once. With beer I wouldn't do it, that is a heavy load. Good Luck.

 

Just take i25 to i70 to i15 to I515 through vegas to us95 to i10 to ca sr 78 and take that down there. The only reason to avoid i70 really is winter storms. The road is fine except for a couple passes

 

To the OP:
Time wise, you would probably be better off to take 1-25 to AlbQ, I-40 to Flag I-17 to Phx etc. But it likely won't make a whole lot of difference. Of course the map programs show I-70 as being both shorter and quicker, but they are not designed with a fully loaded big truck in mind.
OTOH, if you are looking at "pretty scenery," and maybe getting more "mountain driving experience," that trip across the Rockies on I-70 just can't be beaten.