I-80 Versus I-70 Wyoming or Colorado

I-70, where we separate the truckers from the steering wheel holders, and the steering wheel holders from their trucks. Mother Natures driving school.

 

There are a few other options if you are willing to get off the Big Road... Depending on where you are headed will determine how much, if any, extra miles they add.

It is possible to take US 189 north from I-80 in WY (the exit is somewhere near MM 130 IIRC) to Kemmerer, the catch WY 28 to Lander, WY then jump up to Riverton, WY and take US 26 into Casper, WY. From there you can jump up to I-90 or down to I-80, but myself I usually opt to continue on US 26 to Ogallala, NE then get back on I-80.

Ive run the above route only a few times myself, but in the opposite direction (going to SLC). But I have ran US 26 all the way from Idahofalls, ID to Ogallala, NE many, MANY times. It remains open in cobditions that they usually close I-80 for. And the wind usually isnt an issue on that route either. In the winter there WILL be snow and ice, as well as a few grades... But nothing to panic about. Just last week I came west across US 26 and I was home in Idaho before they even opened I-80.

 

The one and only time I've driven out west was moving frac equipment around from Cheyenne to vernal UT. The scenery around flaming gorge state park on US191 was breathtaking. Really cool when your only used to the north east.

I'll agree the 2 lanes are where you really have to be on your A game. Some of these goat paths in Pa/Wv/NY are just as sketchy as 10,000+ ft mountains out west. Any hill deserves the respect

 

I70 over the Rockies wastes a lot of fuel.
Better to take i80 Wyo.
But... check Wyo. weather. No 1 spot to check is Elk Mountain.

 

I preferred I-70. I never did slide on it even in snow/slush with no chains...I didn't see one instance of black ice. The mountain road salters keep that road pretty nice in winter because of all the ski traffic...no clean roads...no ski traffic...no $$$ for ski businesses.

But I've slid twice on I-80...once on black ice and once on dry pavement (because of wind)...and I-80 will usually close (partial or full) due to frequent high winds. I've seen enough roll-overed trucks on I-80 to make me prefer I-70 which I never did see a rollover.

Granted, this was all night driving everday in Feb-May ...so yes, no traffic...and yes, I-70 will get snow in May. Sometimes I had to chain up 3 days in a row (twice in 1 day sometimes...once westbound and again eastbound on return trip) on I-70, but I chose I-70 on those days because I knew that I-80 would close down later because of wind/sleet drifts. And sure enough, I'd check WYDOT app...all yellow patches on I-80 (partial closures) and a few hours after starting my trek on I-70 I'd check WYDOT I-80 again just for the hell of it...all red (full closure).

 

During my career, most of the time my carrier routed me through I-80. I never really had a choice. They also set up my fuel solutions on I-80 as well. Overall, it's a better route.