MOVING LATE DECEMBER from San Diego to Littleton - Route advice needed!!!

[simonliu315]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Thanks for calculating the mileage.

IMO, at 75+ MPH it's only a 3 hour difference, so take the southern route, enjoy the scenery and the good Mexican food in NM.

Taking the northern route and getting stuck in an I-70 winter wonderland can blow a lot more than 3 hours for you. Once in the Denver area, you can see all of I-70 that you wish to on trips west of town.

I drove from San Diego to Denver twice in the past 4 months. The first time in July I took north route, and the second time in November I decided to take the south route. I am glad that I made that decision. Road condition and scene are much better. It is worth the extra 200 miles.

[POhdNcrzy]

Originally Posted by DOUBLE H

and as you get past the "point of rocks", you descend down a couple thousand feet to about 4200 ft. in elevation. Green River is an extra 20 miles further.

No doubt! I got a nasty ear infection from that series of massive up-and-down altitude shifts on the I-70 I-15 from Denver to LA.

Such a series of drastic and pronounced pressure changes is really quite a shock to the human body. Of course, most folks are too unaware to really notice it! I bet the regular rig-drivin' truckers recognize the phenomenon, however.

It's really an incredibly rugged and fantastically desolate route in parts.

Ever think about how those horse and wagon homesteader types made it through there back in the 19th century??!?!?!? Bet many of 'em didn't make it...

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by simonliu315

I drove from San Diego to Denver twice in the past 4 months. The first time in July I took north route, and the second time in November I decided to take the south route. I am glad that I made that decision. Road condition and scene are much better. It is worth the extra 200 miles.

bah. The northern route is the way to go.

[dynimagelv]

wait in Las Vegas until a storm moves thru....then jump in the car and follow it the next day....10 hours to Denver

[theburtonfamily]

We drive from Denver to LA all the time. If the weather is bad or I am driving straight through at night, I like to avoid mountain driving. In which case I recommend taking 40 through Arizona and New Mexico to I-25 north and come into Denver that way. If you are going during the day, and it's nice weather, you'll enjoy the mountain scenery, better highway amenities, and faster trip taking I-70. Check the Colorado Dept of Transportation website, CDOT. Website is CDOT Home Page (http://www.dot.state.co.us/ - broken link)
Good luck!!!!

[POhdNcrzy]

Originally Posted by theburtonfamily

In which case I recommend taking 40 through Arizona and New Mexico to I-25 north and come into Denver that way.

Uh, hello, the OP is coming from way down in San Diego. Why on earth would they detour north to 40?? That route is 1,234 miles and includes hill country and mountains.

Trying reading some of the thread before you post, please.

[hooverphonics]

Op, which route are you taking, have you decided? We too are driving from SD to CO in December.

[Timmyy]

It is safe to say the OP is long gone because this thread is 6 years old. I moved here from San Diego in January of 1999. I drove I15 to I70 and was lucky that I didn't hit any major weather. If you go through New Mexico instead I think it adds about 100 miles longer but there is less chance of hitting bad weather.