Best driving route to CO from New York City? (Denver: motels, restaurants)

[lovesunnydays]

I will be driving to Littleton from New York City (in a 16' moving truck) in a couple weeks. Mapquest suggests going NY to NJ, PA, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Denver. 1,800 miles and 27 hours. Does that sound like a good route? I'll check google maps, too, as mapquest "gets you there" but not always the best way! My mother is concerned about driving on mountainous roads since Denver is at an elevation, but we'd be on the east side of the rockies, so I'm not certain where mountain driving comes in. thanks.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by lovesunnydays

I will be driving to Littleton from New York City (in a 16' moving truck) in a couple weeks. Mapquest suggests going NY to NJ, PA, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Denver. 1,800 miles and 27 hours. Does that sound like a good route? I'll check google maps, too, as mapquest "gets you there" but not always the best way! My mother is concerned about driving on mountainous roads since Denver is at an elevation, but we'd be on the east side of the rockies, so I'm not certain where mountain driving comes in. thanks.

No mountain driving. It's a good practice to compare Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, AAA maps, Mapquest, etc. See if they all agree. Maker sure you have hardcopy maps in the vehicle with you.

[lovesunnydays]

Thanks, Charles, for the quick reply! I should have added that I'm an east-coaster (never been through the midwest at all), so I'm very geographically inexperienced with all the states I'll be passing through (other than NJ, and eastern PA).

I was considering doing the drive from norfolk, virginia, but then I would have to cross the blue ridge mountains, so it seems from new york is better (as far as avoiding mountains)?

[Lindenin]

The only mountains you'll get between NYC and Littleton are the Appalachians. Denver is in the plains, the mountains start further west in CO.

I've taken all of the route you mention except for the NY - PA section. The rest of it would be nice and flat, easy to drive. Not scenic, but I'm not guessing that is what you are going for with a moving truck.

Don't fall asleep on the drive. After Chicago, there is no excitement again until you hit Denver traffic. It is a real snoozer of a drive.

[Boxer]

My boyfriend just drove from Long Island to Evergreen and went through all the States you mentioned. He was on Route 80 most of the way as far as I know....I will be making the drive in August with no truck but with an 80 lb dog...if you have specifc questions email me, He will be back Sunady and I can get more info.

[BarryK123]

I did that drive many years ago - Rt 80 most of the way. If you think it takes a long time to drive across PA, wait till you get to Nebraska! Also, from Chicago to Denver is one giant corn field

[Katarina Witt]

Have driven from Pittsburgh to Denver many times, including on my honeymoon! Would recommend going I-70 to Indianapolis, then I-74 to the Quad Cities. You avoid Chicago that way. From the Quad Cities, take I-80 to I-76 in Colo. You go through Omaha instead of Kansas City that way. I-80 has much better services along the route than I-70. 80 is the old Oregon trail; has been a tourist trap for over a century, so has restaurants, motels, etc. I-70 is more remote.

[mo1416]

We just did the drive 2 weeks ago from LI NY to Broomfield Co 2 SUV's and a 24' Budget truck. It took us 4 days. PM me if you need any other info.

[pss_njmom]

Hi: We drove from central NJ to Denver 3 years ago, in the 1st week of August. There is no mountain driving involved only plains! We took I78 thru to I81 thru I76 to I70. and drove on I70 all the way into Colorado. We have subsequently driven on I80 back to chicago but prefer the I70 route.

It took us 3 days. we left at 7pm from NJ! stopped in PA ~11pm, ate breakfast and left the next am ~10am driving into St. Louis, we reached at midnight! Did sightseeing around St Louis and left at 4pm the next afternoon, reached Topeka, KN ~11pm and stayed over. Next morning left after breakfast ~10am we reached Denver (near Denver Intn airport at 6pm!). Lots of folks driving on I70 and we could maintain a good speed of 80+ most of the way. Only when we had to pass 3-4 big towns we encountered traffic jams! Happy driving!

Hope this helps.
Regards PSS

[Paddington]

Originally Posted by lovesunnydays

I will be driving to Littleton from New York City (in a 16' moving truck) in a couple weeks. Mapquest suggests going NY to NJ, PA, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Denver. 1,800 miles and 27 hours. Does that sound like a good route? I'll check google maps, too, as mapquest "gets you there" but not always the best way! My mother is concerned about driving on mountainous roads since Denver is at an elevation, but we'd be on the east side of the rockies, so I'm not certain where mountain driving comes in. thanks.

Denver is not in the Rockies. It's on the plains near the rockies.