Advice on getting thru the mountains, late autumn... US 160 okay?

[mic111]

Originally Posted by ChrisGoingEast

You guys would definitely bet on I-70 over Vail being safer than 160 over Wolf Creek?

I-70 over Vail is a piece of cake compared to 160 over Wolf Creek. If something happens on I-70 you can get help. Wolf Creek not so much.

Here is what I would do. Plan for the Albuquerque route over two days. If you check the weather a few days before and it looks clear you can toy in your mind with I-70. That is if it is sunny and predicted to be so on the day you leave. Check the morning you leave. Still sunny with clear roads? Go ahead and do I-70. If that doesn't work then go Albuquerque and allow the extra time. Allow alot of extra time anyways for I-70 because it isn't cruising through the plains driving. You need to be rested, relaxed, alert and fresh for the drive. Trying it all in one attempt is probably a bad idea if you don't know how you do in mountain driving. Take two days.

Honestly based on your post, your brothers feedback and what appears to be your mountain driving experience level I wouldn't touch Wolf Creek with a ten foot pole in the winter.

In any case have your car checked over. Is it AWD/FWD or horrors RWD? How are your tires? It might be prudent to buy some snow tires. Bring chains. Practice putting them on. Bring blankets, food, water, those warming packets for hands etc.
Know the law:
Colorado bill requires good tread, chains on I-70 passenger vehicles - The Denver Post

You are going a long distance. It is unlikely to be clear the entire way. Plan on Albuquerque.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

You can get nearly real-time road reports by checking the Colorado Department of Transportation website. They have webcams all along I-70 and I understand that the snow plow drivers radio road conditions on a regular basis.

[2bindenver]

found here Road Conditions, Speeds, Travel Times, Traffic Cameras, Live Streaming Traffic Cameras, Road Closures and Road Work Information provided by Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) a branch of Colorado Department of Transportation

[Christina S]

Wolf Creek Pass in the winter.

http://youtu.be/zt49LJmbbFU

[NW Crow]

Accuweather.com has extended forecasts 45 days out. They could change several times between now and then but right now Pagosa Springs / Wolf Creek Pass look ok on Nov. 23 but a week of mild to moderate snow is expected soon after- and could slide up.

I- 40 / 25 would be the easiest. Faster speeds, less worrying about winding small roads, snow & ice on the road, gas / food, etc.

If you take a route thru mountains, time the pass in mid-day.

[ChrisGoingEast]

Thank you very much everyone for your comments. You have convinced me that I should plan to go via Albuquerque with the proviso that if the weather appears to be really good on the day before, maybe I will re-consider I-70, but definitely not Wolf Creek Pass.

Unfortunately, I have only one day to make the trip. It's going to be a bear of a drive. No choice.

Thanks for all your advice. I will use the websites you mention to track weather...

[debbie at bouontiful]

I drove wolf creek pass once and it was scary.