Relocating (driving) to Denver in the Winter? (Colorado Springs, Grand Junction: rental, hotel)

[OffToDenver]

It looks like we will be making our move from California to Denver at the end of this year. We thought we would be going much earlier in the year so our original plan was to drive out there instead of fly. However, I am now concerned about weather if we were to try driving over the mountains in December. I checked a southern route, but it looks like we would still have to go over a high pass coming up through New Mexico and I don't think we would want to go all the way around the mountains to the East. Has anyone made this drive in the winter? Any route suggestions? Should we not try it, just fly instead? Any opinions/suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks

[sportsfangal]

Hi OfftoDenver-I can tell you a little about my experience driving through the mountains in Dec. I drove from Portland to Denver in early Dec 2005, and I have to say it was pretty awful. Maybe I took the worst route, (I-84 to I-80 to I-25) but there were many times I had terrible visibility and no phone signal in case there were problems. There are areas where you may need chains on your vehicle-there are websites you can check for the individual state chain laws( tirechainsrequired.com)
I was alone, and it was pretty scary. I went very slowly though, as much of the highway was extremely slippery. The weather can be very unpredictable that time of year and you'd hate to be caught in a major storm. I stuck to major roads (I-84 to I-80, etc) and it was still very trecherous. If you have the option of flying, IMO that would be best, otherwise, give yourself plenty of time, keep your gastanks full, snow tires, vehicles winerized and have a set of chains just in case, bring an emergency kit with blankets, non-perishable food, water, matches, etc (you can find this info on the AAA website also) I drove a sedan, and I think your trip may be a little slower if you have your household goods with you.(are you going in a UHaul?)
Hope this helps and welcome to Colorado! You will love it! (especially when that drive is over!-Ha!)

[COflower]

I used to drive back and forth from Grand Junction to Colorado Springs via I-70 (through Denver a lot and other times via the route from Frisco south to Hartsel and then east to C Springs) 1-3 times a month.

I've never had a problem with I-70 that I couldn't handle. CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) does a very good job at keeping the roads as clear as humanly possible during bad weather. That's not to say it can't be scary, but your instincts kick in and driving east on I-70 over Vail Pass it a lot better than driving west during bad weather.

The drive is beautiful and if you plan your trip right (allow for an extra day in case of really bad weather) you will get there fine. I love the drive from I-15 in UT on to I-70 going east. Most of the drive is incredible. (BTW, take your camera.)

[sportsfangal]

yes, the drive is very beautiful, I must have done it during a particularly bad time, coming down from Oregon. there were times I didn't think I'd make it! but not to "scare" off anyone, you still need to prepare and exercise some caution no matter how pretty the scenery looks! :-)

[ryanek9freak]

Eh, grow some stones and just do it. I've made that trip with a 10,000 lb trailer full of horses behind me in the winter.

Just use common sense and don't drive too fast.

[tfox]

Originally Posted by OffToDenver

I checked a southern route, but it looks like we would still have to go over a high pass coming up through New Mexico and I don't think we would want to go all the way around the mountains to the East.

Raton Pass on I-25 (between NM and CO) isn't really a very high pass compared to what you're going to see on I-70. The grades are gentle by comparison and there's a lot fewer closures due to weahter. It is quite a bit out of the way, however. I'd consider it if you have a trailer or a moving truck, because of the much lower grades might be easier on your nerves.

[steveindenver]

I did the drive in a rental from LA to Denver just before X-mas a couple years back when DIA was closed due to weather (Frontier said it would be after the 25th before they could get me there ... and I missed the last plane out by mere minutes) -- left at 10:30 am arrived home at 2:30 am. I've done it from San Fran and Seattle to Denver in the winter too. I've also done the southern route to Phoenix in the past and it has some amazing views in parts.

If you do come through Utah try to hit the western sections of I-70 during the daytime. Amazing views.

[zionvier]

I used to live in the mountains and would drive to DIA from Vail (possibly the harder section of your trip if weather hits). I've also driving from Vail to Utah a number of times in the winter. Best suggestions is to give yourself extra time just in case (if nothing happens then you're hear earlier than expected, which isn't a problem). If it takes the full amount of time it's better to arrive safe an in one piece.

As for conditions, most of the time you're fine, but there's always the chance that the interstate might be closed for the day. Sections in Utah due to cross winds and blowing snow as well as Vail Pass or Eisenhower Tunnel (here in CO) due to white out conditions in the higher elevations. In the end sometimes it's better, since it'll force you to stop for the night and get a good nights rest from the long trip. Stopping in Utah might not be the most pleasant.. Green River isn't exactly a metropolis, but getting stuck down in Vail (I'd suggest backtracking 5 miles to Avon for a cheaper stay if money is an issue) or stuck in Summit County isn't a bad thing. Vail and Summit County are two places you'll probably end up becoming pretty familiar with once you settle down in Denver anyway, and you'll end up making trips back there So take it slow on the roads if conditions aren't ideal, enjoy the scenery, bring the camera, and make the trip enjoyable... not just the annoying stuck in the car for days to get here kind of trip. Part of the adventure of moving to CO is the actual moving part. If nothing else you end up with a good story for your friends.

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---------- Beginning of random story ----------
One of my trips out to Colorado a couple years before I moved here was driving from the east coast. I had flown out here a number of times before, but this trip my parents join and wanted to drive, they had never been out here before. About 3/4 of the way through Kansas we hear on the radio that there's a possibility of a storm coming the following day. The weather is great that day, and we get about 20 minutes from the CO border and my dad decides it's best to stop driving and get a hotel room. I'm 21 at the time, but my parents knew that I used to drive 600 miles in a day back and forth from NC and NJ once a month and had driven with me. I tried to explain to them that it's not like Jersey, that when a storm comes in the flatlands get high winds and when you mix that with snow they will close the interstate because you can't even see the front of the hood on your own car. They reacted with "It's 8pm, we can get a good nights rest at a hotel, wake up early and get on the road again before the storm", then my dad added "Besides, they don't close down interstates, we'll just have to take it slow and we'll get there". So, we stop at a hotel somewhere about 10-15 minutes from the CO border, we all wake up late, get back in the car around 11am, and get on the road again. 10 minutes down the road we start hitting snow, 10 more minutes (5 or 10 miles into CO) and we are now going 15-20mph staying behind a semi because we can't see, the gates are closed on the interstate and all traffic is directed off into a town that had a gas station, a small restaurant, and a small hotel. Of course the hotel booked up way before we get there, Police tell everyone the road will probably be open again in the morning. Luckily the town was extremely kind and opened up 3 churches for everyone to come into to spend the night out of the cold.
So we got a great nights sleep the night before, drove 20 miles, and got to spend the night on a hard gymnasium floor in a church. We woke up, sky was clear again, we made a donation to the church for their hospitality and arrived at my brothers in Summit County a day and a half after we would have been there if we had kept going while the weather was clear a few days prior.
But all in all, I'm glad we didn't keep going that night because it taught me a lot about the state I'd later call home. 1) If you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes (or a day in this case) 2) The people are extremely friendly compared to Jersey 3) Always keep emergency supplies (clothing, blanket, shovel, etc) in your car in the winter. (which has come in handy numerous times over the years already)
Plus, if we had kept going, I wouldn't have such a great story to share.