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My family and I are leaving on Friday from Utah to North Carolina to live. We drove to NC last year at this time with no problems, except on the way back, we had to stay an extra night in Kansas cause the KS/CO border was closed due to snow and high wind.
We took the I-70 from Utah to CO, KS, MO and then I do believe we changed interestates in St. Louis, then into IL, IN, KY, TN, NC... But basically that was the route, if anyone's familiar.
Well, the route that google map gives us is to go north up across Wyoming, Nebraska, into Iowa and then down to Kansas City and then basically the same route as before.
With it still being winter, we're hesitant about going the north route...and even the other route (through co/kansas etc) still leaves the chance of winter weather....we understand.
So my question is....is there any other benefit to going the north route, vs the regular route we went last year? The eastern half of CO, and majority of kansas was so incredibly boring, we'd like to switch it up this time (not that Nebraska is any better I dont think, as far as scenery goes)
Or is there a better route, even more south that someone's taken? It seems if we go south to Flagstaff AZ and across, adds about 400 miles...that's a bit much.
What's the best way to get from Utah to NC, anyone have any input? or should we stick to what we know?
Moonlight, I-80 would be as good a choice as any, barring going waaay South. One of my favorite shortcuts is on I-80: At Lincoln, NE take U.S. 77 South at Exit 397. Follow U.S. 77 South until it merges with NE 2. Follow NE 2 over to I-29 and go South to Kansas City.
If you'd like a change from I-70 thru MO, you could take U.S. 36 East at St. Joseph, MO over to Hannibal, MO and see Mark Twain's old stomping grounds then follow U.S. 61 South into St. Louis.
Also in Sidney, NE (Exit 59) is the main store and corporate HQ of Cabela's, the outdoor gear retailer. Even if you don't hunt and fish, it's still a neat shopping experience. Food's also available there.
Other than that, I'd go the rest of the way as you did before.
If it were me, I would probably go south down to I-40 and stay on that all the way. I went the other direction once, NC to Santa Fe NM and I stayed on 40. Took me 3 days, but I had kids with me and didn't start out till about 8am every morning, and then was done for the day by 4 or 5. Also needed lots of bathroom stops and a lunch stop. Where in NC are you going?
My parents drove west several years ago. Picked up I-40 in Nashville and kept going. Said it was an easy trip. 40 will take you to Asheville, NC. We used to go there then pick up I-26 but you would stay on I-40 to Charlotte. Have a safe trip!
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