Driving from Dallas to Denver in January? (Pueblo, Castle Rock: hotels, live)

[flashyfeet2]

Hi y'all,

I have received various remarks when I announce my plans to travel from Dallas to Denver in January. We will be travelling in a minivan with snow tires and traction control. I am originally from Northeast Ohio, where I learned to drive in the snow. I would appreciate your honest opinion as locals, is this trip a pipedream? Should I make different plans? What routes would you recommend? Thanks for your help!

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by flashyfeet2

...Northeast Ohio...Should I make different plans?

Change those Texas plates for Ohio ones and you will be more than welcome.

[Neditate]

Howdy
A pipedream? No.
I've driven Denver to Dallas many times over the past 30 years at Christmas time. As I'm sure you are aware, there are several routes that you can take. If the weather is bad we stick to the interstate highways (I-70/I-35). It's more miles and takes a bit longer, but I feel a little safer in case something goes wrong.
If the weather is good we drive 287 to I-25. That's the route we've driven most often. It was icy in the panhandle one trip but we made it.
We have also driven 287 all the way to I-70 but I wouldn't advise it if it is snowy.

My brother and family have driven from Dallas to CO many times for Thanksgiving and have experienced worse weather in November than we have in December. January is typically not one of our snowier months. Just keep an eye on the weather forecasts and go to www.cotrip.org for road conditions.

[LarsMac]

I agree with Neditate.
Go north to Denton, and Take 287 to Amarillo.
From there you can decide which way to go depending on weather.
Thing to remember is that the storms will usually be moving eastward.
Look for the low pressure systems on the weather map. If they are moving towards southwest from UTAH into southern Colorado, there will be a lot of snow in eastern CO, and perhaps New Mexico and Texas. And roads are likely to close. Be cautious. Its not just the snow on the roads to worry about. You do NOT want to drive through a blizzard in Eastern Colorado. Trust me on this. They clean up the roads fairly quickly after the storm has passed, so be patient.


From Amarillo, you can go west to Las Vegas, NM and up over Raton Pass on I-25, or go north on 287 to Limon, CO.
OR 287 to Lamar, CO and cut west on US-50 to Pueblo, and up I-25.

Any of these routes work well.
Travel safe.

[Cyborgt800]

In JANUARY? Are you kidding? OMG!
LarsMac's directions are generally accurate, but they left out a whole lot of stuff!


...just before Raton pass you'll have to trade in your minivan for pack horses, dried beef, water and some buffalo skins...make sure you have a good Henry rifle. I'd go for the Frontiersman .30/.30 as you may have to take down a buck or two if you get snowed in or fend off marauding bands of Indians or outlaws! That should get you to about Castle Rock...camp there until March when the thaw comes then head North to Denver!

[NoPoliticsNoGamesJustMath]

Originally Posted by Cyborgt800

In JANUARY? Are you kidding? OMG!
LarsMac's directions are generally accurate, but they left out a whole lot of stuff!


...just before Raton pass you'll have to trade in your minivan for pack horses, dried beef, water and some buffalo skins...make sure you have a good Henry rifle. I'd go for the Frontiersman .30/.30 as you may have to take down a buck or two if you get snowed in or fend off marauding bands of Indians or outlaws! That should get you to about Castle Rock...camp there until March when the thaw comes then head North to Denver!

lol this is classic.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

OP, I'll give you the same advise that I've given 2,000 times on this forum -- watch the weather reports along your route and check with the individual state's department of transportation for real-time road conditions.

Of course you can make the drive in winter, just be smart about it. Be prepared to hole up somewhere if a big storm is coming in and wait for the roads to be cleared. Link to Colorado Department of Transportation is 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

[Drew303]

Originally Posted by Cyborgt800

In JANUARY? Are you kidding? OMG!
LarsMac's directions are generally accurate, but they left out a whole lot of stuff!


...just before Raton pass you'll have to trade in your minivan for pack horses, dried beef, water and some buffalo skins...make sure you have a good Henry rifle. I'd go for the Frontiersman .30/.30 as you may have to take down a buck or two if you get snowed in or fend off marauding bands of Indians or outlaws! That should get you to about Castle Rock...camp there until March when the thaw comes then head North to Denver!

HAHAHAHA I almost spit out my food reading this!!

[bluescreen73]

While you certainly could encounter a snowstorm, January and February are the two lightest months for snow for most of Eastern Colorado. If you don't mind driving on 2-lane roads for about half the trip, 287 from Fort Worth to Limon, Colorado, is the best bet in decent weather conditions.

[beasleb]

If you haven't left yet...Amarillo is expecting very mild temperatures for the next 7 days. It's also a good point to stop for the night. A lot of hotels, especially on the west side of the city.

Good luck and travel safely