Just how bad is I-80 in the winter between Laramie and Cheyenne? (Casper: college)

[jackaroo1223]

I might have to take a class at the Cheyenne LCCC campus instead of the Albany County Campus, and I'm debating between waitlisting myself for the online section or signing up for the Cheyenne section.

So just how bad is it? I will have 4WD and tires that are in good shape... should I not even consider the Cheyenne class?

[jody_wy]

Known a few that live in Cheyenne that driver over to Laramie for classes at UW. Some time they didn't make it but most the time they did.Most had talked with the Proff and made arangement to get class matteral over the internet .
Daughters taking class at LCCC Albany County Campus next semester... she got in a dissagrement with UW over a couple of things. She finish up an associate next fall in Cheyenne.

[sunsprit]

Originally Posted by jackaroo1223

I might have to take a class at the Cheyenne LCCC campus instead of the Albany County Campus, and I'm debating between waitlisting myself for the online section or signing up for the Cheyenne section.

So just how bad is it? I will have 4WD and tires that are in good shape... should I not even consider the Cheyenne class?

We're not even in to the serious storm months of winter yet ... and I-80 has had numerous closures already this year. Due to blowing/drifting snow/black ice/limited visibility/very strong wind gusts ... and this is pretty typical weather in the region. Happy Jack has had even more closures and of longer duration, too.

It's really not an issue that you have 4WD and good tires. When the road is obscured, it doesn't matter what you're driving ... you cannot see the road. If the road is closed, then again ... it doesn't matter what vehicle you've got.

I've had employees that lived in Cheyenne and attended the UW who could not keep a work schedule for me, and they, too had adequate vehicles, and were native experienced winter drivers. Their priority was their classes, so if a forecast had a liklihood of them being stranded, they would head over to Laramie to at least make their classes.

FWIW, even if the road is open ... this can be a real white knuckle drive on many days. Is it really worth it to you to deal with this if you don't have to and can get into the online section?

[NDak15]

I haven't driven it in the winter so I don't know from personal experience but 80 is closed frequently. It is a very windy stretch and the snow doesn't have anywhere to go but across the road. Be very cautious.

[Kele]

I've driven it in winter. Just because it's open doesn't mean that it isn't dangerous. AWD/4WD--better traction, but really cannot be relied upon to keep you safe. The snow blows across the highway and completely obscures vision. Whiteouts are common and the blowing snow hides large patches of black ice.

This is the first time in three years that I haven't been in Wyoming for the winter time. I miss many things about Wyoming, but driving I-80 at this time of the year is not one of them.

[Poletop]

Im not trying to scare you, but here is a video of what it can actually look like. This trucker is driving below the speed limit, when many wouldn't.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbnxxp9_p-0

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Poletop

Im not trying to scare you, but here is a video of what it can actually look like. This trucker is driving below the speed limit, when many wouldn't.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbnxxp9_p-0

Heck, that isn't near as bad as it can be. I've seen it much worse--like when you have to drive at 15 mph or less from delineator post to delineator post--and that is ALL that you can see.

[NDak15]

Been there done that. Although my personal "Bermuda Triangle" in Wyoming is I-25 between Casper and Buffalo. Jackaroo, I'm not trying to scare you either, just giving you the facts.

[jackaroo1223]

I appreciate the facts! I decided to just stay on the waitlist for the internet course and if I can't get it, find something else (in Laramie or online) to replace that class with. No way I'd want to drive through that crap on a regular basis.

[NDak15]

Good thinking, I hope your online classes work well. I've been doing them online or compressed video at the college here in Rock Springs and have yet to set foot in Laramie for any of it.