Driving Through Colorado on Summer Tires (Denver, Loveland: 2015, schools, buses)

[DannyB07]

My wife and I are making a cross country trip (Boston to Sacramento) in mid September, one leg is arriving into Denver via I-76 then headed North on I-25 into Wyoming and finally a quick left onto I-80 headed towards Salt Lake City. Currently I have summer tires on my vehicle, will I be OK or should I worry about temps. below 40 degrees and snow?

Reliability wise, not too worried. Vehicle is a 2015 Audi S4 AWD with less than 15,000. 24/7 Audi roadside assistance. Can't wait to use that supercharger in the mountains!

Figured of all places, Colorado might be the place I run into cooler weather and potentially snow depending on my route. If I need to throw on all seasons, that's not a problem, but the car is soooo much more fun with summer tires on. At the end of the day, safety>fun.

Thanks!

[Mike from back east]

You "should" be fine in September, though there could be an early snowstorm, you just have to check weather reports. Your car and tires will be fine. At that time of year any snow should be gone in a hurry, COLO DOT does a good job on the interstate highways.

IMO taking I-70 west out of Denver will show you some of the most incredible scenery in the nation. I've driven both and I-80 is decent but rather boring and a truck route. If you do take I-70 consider stopping at Vail for lunch, it's gorgeous up there. If late September you may even see some Aspen trees turn golden, a sight for sure.

[SkyDog77]

I've had 2 S4s. I forgot to switch to my winter tires one year when I usually do and and early snow came. I've driven the S4 in several winter driving schools and I have to say that driving that car in snow with high performance summer tires was absolutely terrifying. Plan accordingly.

[MsBall]

Originally Posted by DannyB07

My wife and I are making a cross country trip (Boston to Sacramento) in mid September, one leg is arriving into Denver via I-76 then headed North on I-25 into Wyoming and finally a quick left onto I-80 headed towards Salt Lake City. Currently I have summer tires on my vehicle, will I be OK or should I worry about temps. below 40 degrees and snow?

Reliability wise, not too worried. Vehicle is a 2015 Audi S4 AWD with less than 15,000. 24/7 Audi roadside assistance. Can't wait to use that supercharger in the mountains!

Figured of all places, Colorado might be the place I run into cooler weather and potentially snow depending on my route. If I need to throw on all seasons, that's not a problem, but the car is soooo much more fun with summer tires on. At the end of the day, safety>fun.

Thanks!

Why not just stay on I80? You're adding time to your drive getting off of 80 just to get back on?

And I agree with Mike, going the I70 route you will get stunning views of the Rockies...Utah that route is spectacular as well.

Also, be sure to stop at the Bonneville Salt Flats west of Salt Lake.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

You "should" be fine in September, though there could be an early snowstorm, you just have to check weather reports. Your car and tires will be fine. At that time of year any snow should be gone in a hurry, COLO DOT does a good job on the interstate highways.

IMO taking I-70 west out of Denver will show you some of the most incredible scenery in the nation. I've driven both and I-80 is decent but rather boring and a truck route. If you do take I-70 consider stopping at Vail for lunch, it's gorgeous up there. If late September you may even see some Aspen trees turn golden, a sight for sure.

Yeah, the general rule of thumb is the third week in September is the best Aspen viewing time. This is three years old but I don't think anything has changed: When’s the best time to see Colorado fall foliage? | FOX31 Denver

[DannyB07]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

You "should" be fine in September, though there could be an early snowstorm, you just have to check weather reports. Your car and tires will be fine. At that time of year any snow should be gone in a hurry, COLO DOT does a good job on the interstate highways.

IMO taking I-70 west out of Denver will show you some of the most incredible scenery in the nation. I've driven both and I-80 is decent but rather boring and a truck route. If you do take I-70 consider stopping at Vail for lunch, it's gorgeous up there. If late September you may even see some Aspen trees turn golden, a sight for sure.

Thanks for the heads up on I-80, that sounds like a good switch.

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

I've had 2 S4s. I forgot to switch to my winter tires one year when I usually do and and early snow came. I've driven the S4 in several winter driving schools and I have to say that driving that car in snow with high performance summer tires was absolutely terrifying. Plan accordingly.

That was mid Sept? I have Blizzaks that were just purchased this past season, but that sounds unnecessary. does the likely hood of snow increase if I take I-70 out of Denver towards Vail instead of north into WY then west? I'd assume yes, but who knows.

Originally Posted by MsBall

Why not just stay on I80? You're adding time to your drive getting off of 80 just to get back on?

And I agree with Mike, going the I70 route you will get stunning views of the Rockies...Utah that route is spectacular as well.

Also, be sure to stop at the Bonneville Salt Flats west of Salt Lake.

But then no Denver....... and yes, the Salt Flats for sure! Thanks.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by DannyB07

Thanks for the heads up on I-80, that sounds like a good switch.





That was mid Sept? I have Blizzaks that were just purchased this past season, but that sounds unnecessary. does the likely hood of snow increase if I take I-70 out of Denver towards Vail instead of north into WY then west? I'd assume yes, but who knows.




But then no Denver....... and yes, the Salt Flats for sure! Thanks.

It was early October in the mountains. If it were me, I wouldn't sweat it too much, but check the weather and if snow is in the forecast, change your route. My post was meant to tell you that if there is snow, the S4 on high performance summer tires is really squirrelly.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by DannyB07

Thanks for the heads up on I-80, that sounds like a good switch.


....

But then no Denver....... and yes, the Salt Flats for sure! Thanks.

PERFECT!!! No Denver!!!

on I-80...(drive Evanston to Saratoga in the dark (nothing to see), then stop for the FREE Hobo hot springs, then Substitute your time in Denver with a very NICE and fun trip over Snowy Range!!! (Between Saratoga and Centennial)

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...l_Wyoming.html

Snowy Range Scenic Byway | Travel Wyoming. That's WY

https://www.google.com/search?q=snow...w=1284&bih=796

+ Vedauwoo will be an I-80 bonus! (2 min off I-80)
https://www.google.com/search?q=veda...w=1284&bih=796

That said... Aspen are (can be) great on I-70, so.... if you have a lot of time.. take I-70 east to exit 232, then north on 40 / 125 to Saratoga / Snowy Range. (bonus of this route is Encampment, WY, excellent museum / terrain and well worth missing CO front range traffic.

alternatives: 131 north to Steamboat (near Eagle)
9 North to Kremmling

34 over Trail Ridge RMNP and into Estes Park (if still open..., depends on snow)

Tires are not an issue, I survived 30 yrs of daily trips in CO mtns w/o AWD and without winter tires. and very few maintained / 4 lane roads, and certainly no cell phones. (and VERY beater vehicles... as I shudder to think of the ancient school buses we took over Loveland pass to go skiing). CO Snow is usually crunchy and good traction (Fall / Spring snow can be heavy and wet, but will be GONE in a few hours)

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

PERFECT!!! No Denver!!!

on I-80...(drive Evanston to Saratoga in the dark (nothing to see), then stop for the FREE Hobo hot springs, then Substitute your time in Denver with a very NICE and fun trip over Snowy Range!!! (Between Saratoga and Centennial)

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...l_Wyoming.html

Snowy Range Scenic Byway | Travel Wyoming. That's WY

https://www.google.com/search?q=snow...w=1284&bih=796

+ Vedauwoo will be an I-80 bonus! (2 min off I-80)
https://www.google.com/search?q=veda...w=1284&bih=796

That said... Aspen are (can be) great on I-70, so.... if you have a lot of time.. take I-70 east to exit 232, then north on 40 / 125 to Saratoga / Snowy Range. (bonus of this route is Encampment, WY, excellent museum / terrain and well worth missing CO front range traffic.

alternatives: 131 north to Steamboat (near Eagle)
9 North to Kremmling

34 over Trail Ridge RMNP and into Estes Park (if still open..., depends on snow)

Tires are not an issue, I survived 30 yrs of daily trips in CO mtns w/o AWD and without winter tires. and very few maintained / 4 lane roads, and certainly no cell phones. (and VERY beater vehicles... as I shudder to think of the ancient school buses we took over Loveland pass to go skiing). CO Snow is usually crunchy and good traction (Fall / Spring snow can be heavy and wet, but will be GONE in a few hours)

High performance summer Z rated tires are not the tires you drove on I'm guessing. The rubber turns rock hard in cold weather and there is not deep tread for snow. I have raced cars on frozen lakes, taken multiple winter driving clinics instructed by professional drivers and driving in snow on Z rated tires is asking for trouble...... But I'm sure I'm just bad at driving and you would be fine in a 340 horsepower car with racing slicks in the snow.

That said, late sept should be just fine.

[DannyB07]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

PERFECT!!! No Denver!!!

on I-80...(drive Evanston to Saratoga in the dark (nothing to see), then stop for the FREE Hobo hot springs, then Substitute your time in Denver with a very NICE and fun trip over Snowy Range!!! (Between Saratoga and Centennial)

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...l_Wyoming.html

Snowy Range Scenic Byway | Travel Wyoming. That's WY

https://www.google.com/search?q=snow...w=1284&bih=796

+ Vedauwoo will be an I-80 bonus! (2 min off I-80)
https://www.google.com/search?q=veda...w=1284&bih=796

That said... Aspen are (can be) great on I-70, so.... if you have a lot of time.. take I-70 east to exit 232, then north on 40 / 125 to Saratoga / Snowy Range. (bonus of this route is Encampment, WY, excellent museum / terrain and well worth missing CO front range traffic.

alternatives: 131 north to Steamboat (near Eagle)
9 North to Kremmling

34 over Trail Ridge RMNP and into Estes Park (if still open..., depends on snow)

Tires are not an issue, I survived 30 yrs of daily trips in CO mtns w/o AWD and without winter tires. and very few maintained / 4 lane roads, and certainly no cell phones. (and VERY beater vehicles... as I shudder to think of the ancient school buses we took over Loveland pass to go skiing). CO Snow is usually crunchy and good traction (Fall / Spring snow can be heavy and wet, but will be GONE in a few hours)

Thanks for the pointers! we do a lot of time, so this sounds nice.

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

High performance summer Z rated tires are not the tires you drove on I'm guessing. The rubber turns rock hard in cold weather and there is not deep tread for snow. I have raced cars on frozen lakes, taken multiple winter driving clinics instructed by professional drivers and driving in snow on Z rated tires is asking for trouble...... But I'm sure I'm just bad at driving.

That said, late sept should be just fine.

Thanks, SkyDog77. You're right, anything below 45 degrees and I can start to feel the summers slip. The S4 with winter tires is an absolute animal of a sedan. Drove it through 10" unplowed with no problem, just had the snow plow issue