Driving to Minneapolis and/or Boulder in March (Boise: condo, cost)

[alisbet]

Hi. I am new here so not sure the best place to post this but looking for some advice from experienced long distance drivers regarding routes and options.

I am currently in Boise and need to head east. I've been waiting for awhile due to the weather. I have driven cross country but am not an experienced driver in that I don't know a thing about chains, have a small Honda Fit - that will be packed, and traveling with a kitty too. I can't stay in Boise indefinitely. I began a cross country relocation for a job that didn't work out. So I need to head back east. There is a slim chance I might head to San Diego. And also Vermont (where family is). There are job options/possibilities in CO and Minneapolis. However, I don't know 1) What is the best route where I can avoid mountains and actually accomplish this with a Honda Fit - even if I head south a tad and 2) is it even an option or do I need to ship my car? My car is full with belongings and I know or believe they will not transport my belongings one of which is a large kitty condo. So that also adds to the stress of having to ship things.

I can wait til March but when is an okay or safe time?

For Minneapolis, it seems taking 80 to 29 to 90 or 80 to 35 is the best way to avoid mountainous terrain and to make it easier/safer. The whole thing scares me because there is nothing out there in Wyoming, Nebraska etc.

For Boulder, taking 84 to 80, then 287 or 25 seems the best option (25 seems more a main road than 287).

For the east coast completely, just staying on 80 - the whole way. But what do I need to be wary if I stay on 80 - any mountains to pass through? I did drive west from the east coast but it was in the summer/early fall so I don't remember any treacherous or precarious passes.

I also have Verizon so worry about cell service on some of the routes mentioned.

Thank you.

[boisefan88]

Either way I'd just drive I84 to I15, then connect to I80 through Wyoming. It can have terrible weather but odds are this late into winter you'd be fine if you're driving during the daylight hours.

[alisbet]

Are there mountainous passes or would I need chains? I will have to be heading out the beginning of March since I've waited long enough. I can't use and don't have chains and have a little car. I prefer not to ship - cost and logisitics make it more problematic.

[boisefan88]

It's a good idea to have them, but you'll more than likely be fine. Just keep your car full of gas, stash some warm blankets, food, and water just in case.

I've seen some nasty weather on those stretches of interstate, but nothing really that would keep a sedan from travelling on it. Even in the worst storm I've been on the road in, I was able to drive behind a semitruck and use its tracks to get into the next town to wait it out (this was in Nevada).

[IdaD]

Well if you have Verizon you have the largest network so you're in good shape there. By March you should be fine without chains as long as you pay attention to the weather. You could certainly get hit with a late winter storm that would get you in trouble that time of year but there should be some warning so you can plan around those events to a large degree as long as you're paying attention to weather reports. If heading east I would agree that 80 is your best bet, and in your case I would take 25 over 287 if you do down towards Boulder since you're traveling alone (more services and assistance available on a freeway).

Realistically you could drive to Boulder in a long day, so that's why I think if you watch the weather and road reports and pick your travel day wisely you should be able to avoid issues. Even Minneapolis is doable in two long days.

[alisbet]

Thank you all so much for the advice.