What is the Drive on I-70 like?

[W350]

"I was driving a Ford Escort economy car and one tank of gas got me all the way into Sharon Springs, Kansas. I definitely suggest an economy car to conserve on gas. Also, in Sharon Springs Kansas the gas prices were still $3.11 so I suggest that you fill up in the larger towns, not the small ones. "

When you get to Sharon Springs, that is the large town. There is nothing with any population out there for miles. That is not the country to test how far your tank will take you. Buy gas when you can. A lot of the ranchers in the area are used to selling fuel to peoplke who run out passing through. Amazing country with a load of history. Dad always said it is easier to drive on the top half of the tank and not the bottom half. Glen

[mile high]

Originally Posted by Christine Joan

...Most of the gas stations are closed at night and the hotels are mainly small mom and pop hotels...I wanted to stop a few times because it was very late, but couldn't find anywhere that looked nice that was open. ... there is a nice Comfort Inn in Cheyanne Wells that I stopped at but it was full. ... I continued onto Goodland Kansas...Sharon Springs Kansas the gas prices were still $3.11... .

On my return to the Denver airport, the ride was very fast and took only about 3 hours. I didn't hit any traffic jams as it was on a weekday during business hours. The road was mostly open fields, farmland.

I suggest that you have your route mapped out and have hotel reservations... .

Huh? If I understand this, you went I-70 east, then to Cheyenne Wells, CO (40 miles south of I-70), then back to I-70 and to Goodland, KS (70 miles all), then back 40 miles south to Sharon Springs, KS?? Sharon Springs is only 30 miles due east of Cheyenne Wells. At night, all cats are grey so it can't be the scenery. Why so much extra driving?

As for gas, out here most folks know that Safeway, Kroger/City Market/Dillons/Grand Union are usually open all night and sell gas 24/7. They also discount it if you've got any one of the Kroger or Safeway cards. With a rental, you should have had a full tank for openers and that's good for at least 300 miles, maybe 400. As of Labor Day, gas in CO was $2.79 and $2.92 in KS except on the Interstates, where it's ALWAYS more expensive ($3 - $3.10 last Thursday).

True, if you're into chain establishments (HoJo, Hilton Inn, etc.) and trying to make time then by all means stick to the superslab. But if you're not just flying over and are looking for a nice, casual alternative to cc (computer-controlled) riding and somnambulistic sojourns then turn off the cruise, turn on your high-beams, venture into the unlighted byways, check out a cheaper mom-and-pop place and live a little!

Cheers!

Mile High

PS: I notice in my last posting I said to go from Great Bend southeast to Hoisington -- that should be Hutchison. Hoisington is OK, but not worthy of a major detour unless you're actually driving through the Cheyenne Bottoms reserve. Sorry.