I-80 winter storm conditions (Des Moines, Davenport: closing, place, drive)

[bullfish15]

Hello Iowans,

I was wondering if you could help me out a bit. I searched the forum but didn't find any threads about this. How often is I-80 impassible or completely shut down during winter storms? I know that every storm is different, but is it common for the road to close for long periods of time?

I will be traveling from Denver to Ohio the week of Christmas '08 and will be stopping in Nebraska overnight. I know I-80 is a very busy road but if the weather is bleak I don't know if it comes to a stop completely. Thanks for the input!!!

[DMRyan]

It takes one helluva storm to close I-80 through Iowa. It's more common to see I-35 north of Ames closed than I-80. Last year it happened a few times, but that was far from a normal winter. Most years it may only happen once, if ever all winter long. The interstate closures on I-80 take place west of here.

[monkeynoodle]

I was stuck in a truck stop for 22 hours in Davenport, Ia this winter. I was also stuck In Newton, Ia for a night, both times because the Interstate was closed due to bad weather. These are West of Des Moines if you drive West for 24,825 miles.

[Northern Traveler]

Originally Posted by monkeynoodle

I was stuck in a truck stop for 22 hours in Davenport, Ia this winter. I was also stuck In Newton, Ia for a night, both times because the Interstate was closed due to bad weather. These are West of Des Moines if you drive West for 24,825 miles.

Newton and Davenport are east of Des Moines.

[monkeynoodle]

Are you kidding me?

[monkeynoodle]

Newton and Davenport are east of Des Moines.

Grab a globe, go west approx. 24825 miles and were do you end up? Maybe you didnt read into my sarcasm of the previous post, that I-80 only closes west of Des Moines.

[Northern Traveler]

Originally Posted by monkeynoodle

Grab a globe, go west approx. 24825 miles and were do you end up? Maybe you didnt read into my sarcasm of the previous post, that I-80 only closes west of Des Moines.

That's what you get for making jokes I have to think to get.

[Chicago60614]

I grew up along I-80 in Eastern Iowa, and the interstate would probably close for up to 8 hours maybe once every 2 years.

I remember that if they were actually closing the interstate, you had a serious storm on your hands.

Overall the chances of the interstate being closed at the exact time you're trying to drive across the state is probably 1%.

Iowa normally only gets decent snowstorms maybe 5 times a year (just snow, not snow taht would force the road closed), and they only last 8-12 hours. The roads are usually back to normal within a day.

[zz4guy]

If they close an interstate you probably have bigger problems on your hands. What is far more likely to happen is an accident that causes you to stand still for half a day. Or be rerouted. Seems to happen regularly on I-80 probably because of all the traffic.

If I was making a long haul like you are I would take I-70, or even I-90. And if you must take I-80 I would time it so you are in the Iowa City - Chicago - Detroit portion at some very odd hours like 3am. Otherwise good luck going through Chi-town w/o a delay.

I think they also closed I380 for a few hours a year or so ago. They needed a reason to activate their $800,000 LED signs.