Need Help! Traveling from SLC to Rock Springs (Cheyenne, Laramie: rental car, rental)

[bjledesma]

I am going to be visiting my husband in Rock Springs at the end of October/beginning of November. My flight lands in Salt Lake City and I am not sure whether I should rent a car and drive or purchase another flight from Salt Lake to Rock Springs.

Will weather possibly keep me from being able to get to Rock Springs? I'm concerned that highways might be closed if there is snow.

Obviously this is my first trip to the area and I'm traveling all the way from South Texas! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Brian_M]

November storms are not Usually the kind that will shut down the roads, but if it's bad enough to close the roads, it's bad enough to shut down the commuter flights. I'd say just pick the option that has you traveling less, which may very well be driving from SLC. It's a simple, all interstate shot between the 2.

[bjledesma]

Thank you! That's what I needed to hear!

[BIG Paul-34]

i drive to salt lake city all the time and have only had to turn around due to road closed once but i wont lie to you if you do rent a car make sure its a all wheel drive car or suv it will help you alot and just make plans for the drive to take a bit if you take youe time you will be ok you try to hurry thats when bad things happen if the weather is bad plan on 3.5-4 hour drive and just keep your cool you will be fine

[rmmoore]

"Normally" it's not a bad drive. That of course, depends on your perspective. This isn't exactly shaping up to be a "normal" winter. While those of us who live here might not feel particularly troubled with a drive in snow and ice, if you are coming from South Texas, I would buy a ticket and fly. Why rent a car if your husband has a vehicle? By the time you rent one, buy insurance (GOOD idea this time of the year), pay for fuel, and not to mention the worry and stress of driving unfamiliar roads in unfamiliar conditions, it's not worth it.

If I-80 were to be closed, you'll pay additional costs if you're stuck in Rock Springs with a rental car. There are many times that airlines will fly when the roads are closed. It is @180-190 miles from R.S. to SLC. Road conditions can change DRASTICALLY in a very short distance around here. The "twin sisters" pass between Evanston and Rock Springs can be treacherous when the weather is moderately bad. This is a pair of steep "hills" that are back-to-back, with steep drop offs on either side for the most part. Bottom line, if you start to slide, there's nowhere to go but DOWN. It gets driven successfully everyday, except when it's closed . But does that matter if it's YOU behind the wheel when it gets "squirrely"?

I've lived in both Corpus Christi and the Rock Springs/Green River area, among others, before moving to Cheyenne. If I were making my first trip here during that time of year, I'd fly as far as possible. BUY the airline ticket, then decide to drive for next time you come back. What those of us who live here think is decent winter driving conditions, might be horrific to someone who's from an area that 60* is considered "cold"

We moved from New Mexico to Wyoming during October/November several years ago. It wasn't the ideal time to move, so I know what you're facing.

[ElkHunter]

The "Other end" of I-80 is closed from Cheyenne to Laramie and has been closed for two days. Typical of what weather can do in a very short period of time.

Take a look at the webcams that are in a sticky at the top of the Wyoming forum. You can get a really good idea of what is going on.

This closure is not NORMAL for Wyoming at this time of year. Of course, when it comes to weather, there is no NORMAL.