Driving a garbage truck from seattle to col, oh. Terrain Tips / mountain (Columbus: homes)

[shack4055]

I'm heading out to Seattle, Wa from Columbus, Oh to pick up a Garbage Truck and drive it back. I was wondering if anyone out there knows what the terrain is like once you past through Minnesota, heading into the well known Mountain States. Just trying to see what I have too look forward to. Thanks!

[Crew Chief]

Hopefully, Stillkit will see this, as he's even more familiar with the best route than I am. Personally, I would take I-90 East from Seattle to I-82 down to I-84

I-84 in Oregon to the I-15 junction North of Salt Lake City then onto I-80 East. (A good alternate would be I-4 to I-86 to I-15 South to U.S. 30 and follow that into Wyoming and pick up I-80 there.

Take I-80 over to Lincoln, NE. Follow Nebraska Route 2 over to I-29 South. Join up with I-70 East at Kansas City. Follow that into Columbus.

I assume the garbage truck you'll be driving is over 26,000 GVW, so you'll need a Class B CDL with air brake endorsement. (Bear with me if I'm stating the obvious...) I'm assuming the truck will be equipped with an engine brake, which will make your mountain descents MUCH easier!

Mountain Passes:
Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 in WA (MM 80)
Three Sisters (three peaks between Evanston & Green River, WY on I-80
Sherman Pass between laramie and Cheyenne

That's it for steep mountains once you're past Cheyenne!

Weatherwise, we're getting out of the snow danger for this half of the year. (But I'd still be prepared for a late Spring or even early Summer snow storm...)

[RememberMee]

Definitely take I-90, I-94 route (from Seattle to Chicago via North Dakota, MN, WI) since winter is over, it's the most picturesque and otherwise desolate route (something different, hard to find in Ohio). Besides, it will not cost you extra miles to drive, it's one of the shortest routes. You'll have only one substantial mountain pass on I-90 in WA (Snoqualmie pass), winter is over, it should not be a big deal to drive through, however, a snowfall is a possibility way into May. After that you'll have fairly flat road all way to Spokane, WA. Short stretch of Idaho is fairly mountainous, twisty and steep all way to Montana border (steep upgrade on ID part of I-90 all way to welcome to MT sign) but again not a big deal (if there is no snow). Then you'll have about 40 miles of twisty I-90 in Montana and then I - 90 gets much straighter all way to Butte, MT where I-90 goes through another mountain pass (smaller than previous 2), then in about 100 - 150 miles you'll have another steep upgrade (much smaller than previous 3) and that's it, mountain driving is over, scenery remains great you see Mountains in the distance but I-90 becomes something like I-70 between Columbus and Wheeling. I-94 in Montana has no mountains to speak of, large hills only. Same in Western North Dakota, Eastern North Dakota is more or less flat.

[johnny999]

If you come back on I 90 there are passes at Snoqualmie, Lookout Pass, ID/Montanna line, and Homestake Pass just east of Butte.

If you take the I 82/84 route you will have Snoqualmie and on I 84 in Oregon just east of Pendelton is Cabbage Hill, then Sherman Hilll on I 80 between Laramie & Cheyenne.

I assume the truck will not have a load on it so the downgrades shouldn't be a problem. There will be less traffic on the I 90 route. If you want to avoid the Chicago area with the I 90 route catch I 39 at Rockford and take it south to I 74 at Bloomington Ill. Take I 74 to Indianapolis. Weather shouldn't be an issue this time of year.

[shack4055]

We have our CDL's, but I'm checking to see if the truck is equipped with a engine break. Once again thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Hopefully, Stillkit will see this, as he's even

more familiar with the best route than I am. Personally, I would take I-90 East from Seattle to I-82 down to I-84

I-84 in Oregon to the I-15 junction North of Salt Lake City then onto I-80 East. (A good alternate would be I-4 to I-86 to I-15 South to U.S. 30 and follow that into Wyoming and pick up I-80 there.

Take I-80 over to Lincoln, NE. Follow Nebraska Route 2 over to I-29 South. Join up with I-70 East at Kansas City. Follow that into Columbus.

I assume the garbage truck you'll be driving is over 26,000 GVW, so you'll need a Class B CDL with air brake endorsement. (Bear with me if I'm stating the obvious...) I'm assuming the truck will be equipped with an engine brake, which will make your mountain descents MUCH easier!

Mountain Passes:
Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 in WA (MM 80)
Three Sisters (three peaks between Evanston & Green River, WY on I-80
Sherman Pass between laramie and Cheyenne

That's it for steep mountains once you're past Cheyenne!

Weatherwise, we're getting out of the snow danger for this half of the year. (But I'd still be prepared for a late Spring or even early Summer snow storm...)

[shack4055]

Souds, like it'll be an adventure. Thanks for all the advice, it'll definitely be utulized.

Originally Posted by RememberMee

Definitely take I-90, I-94 route (from Seattle to Chicago via North Dakota, MN, WI) since winter is over, it's the most picturesque and otherwise desolate route (something different, hard to find in Ohio). Besides, it will not cost you extra miles to drive, it's one of the shortest routes. You'll have only one substantial mountain pass on I-90 in WA (Snoqualmie pass), winter is over, it should not be a big deal to drive through, however, a snowfall is a possibility way into May. After that you'll have fairly flat road all way to Spokane, WA. Short stretch of Idaho is fairly mountainous, twisty and steep all way to Montana border (steep upgrade on ID part of I-90 all way to welcome to MT sign) but again not a big deal (if there is no snow). Then you'll have about 40 miles of twisty I-90 in Montana and then I - 90 gets much straighter all way to Butte, MT where I-90 goes through another mountain pass (smaller than previous 2), then in about 100 - 150 miles you'll have another steep upgrade (much smaller than previous 3) and that's it, mountain driving is over, scenery remains great you see Mountains in the distance but I-90 becomes something like I-70 between Columbus and Wheeling. I-94 in Montana has no mountains to speak of, large hills only. Same in Western North Dakota, Eastern North Dakota is more or less flat.

[shack4055]

Looks, as though I'll be in for some adventure. Thanks for taking the time to help, I'm sure I'll be utulizing your tips.

Originally Posted by johnny999

If you come back on I 90 there are passes
at Snoqualmie, Lookout Pass, ID/Montanna line, and Homestake Pass just east of Butte.

If you take the I 82/84 route you will have Snoqualmie and on I 84 in Oregon just east of Pendelton is Cabbage Hill, then Sherman Hilll on I 80 between Laramie & Cheyenne.

I assume the truck will not have a load on it so the downgrades shouldn't be a problem. There will be less traffic on the I 90 route. If you want to avoid the Chicago area with the I 90 route catch I 39 at Rockford and take it south to I 74 at Bloomington Ill. Take I 74 to Indianapolis. Weather shouldn't be an issue this time of year.

[johnny999]

Oregon and Montana DOT are getting bad, especially Oregon if you go that way. Have all your ducks in a row paperwork wise when you cross the scales. Good Luck!