Changing route to go into wind

Hi folks. I'm a fairly new driver. My company has me in a rented 26 ft box truck. Gross weight is only 24k lbs. I'm currently in northeast CO on a route going I76-E. Drop off is southern MN. There are winds from the north (crosswinds) that are 23 mph with 44 mph gusts. This will continue through much of NE.

There aren't that many trucks on the road and I know that anything near 40 mph, especially crosswinds are dangerous.

Would it be foolish for me to go straight north (into the wind) on local highways, thereby also going around the storm? Or should I stay put? Be honest and roast me if my idea is stupid. Thanks

 

We don't "roast" people here, your question is as valid as any. Generally, I wouldn't worry, I read it takes a gust of over 60 mph to flip an empty truck. Anything over sustained 40 mph should be advised however. Loaded, I never worried about that. I hear, things north and east of Co. are in for blizzard conditions, so you won't be going anywhere far.

 

Use the Windy app. It shows you wind speed any place you touch the map. I would just go the most direct route. But you are captain of your ship.

 

Just go the way you want. Use your head and if you feel the wind rocking your truck..... Slow down. You'll make it.

 

You'll notice one of the benefits of driving is IF you are brave enough to drive into a storm, and do it sensibly, you'll be right through it and back to dry roads in fifteen min, or thereabouts. Unless you have my luck and the hurricane follows you out of Hialeah and all the way up 95 almost to ME. Weird seeing the FL turnpike booths empty with a sign that said it's free today. LoL

 

80 has been closed between Ogallala and west of Kearney since yesterday evening. With blizzard warning until tomorrow morning, that ain't changing anytime soon.

 

I-70 east to Kansas City, then I-35 north to MN would avoid all those heavy winds.

 

Wouldn’t really be avoiding anything going across KS on 70.

 

Pretty much have to drop to US50 to get below blizzard warnings. And we all know, if there's a highway closed in the US, odds are better than even that's it's Goodland, KS!

I like the MyRadar app, has a wind field layer that you can zoom out and really get a visual on the circulation around storms.

 

I-70 closed east of Burlington to Wakeeney. I'm surprised that the J in Limon wasn't packed. Those people that ignored the electronic signs are going to be parking on the shoulder somewhere.