Best route to Denver area from So Cal? (Steamboat Springs, Craig: transportation, car)

[SHK74]

We are driving to Denver area next week from San Diego. At this time of year, is the I 15/I 70 the best bet?

Thanks!

[Josseppie]

When i did the drive I took the southern Route. I-25 to Alburquie west to Flagstaff south to Phoenx then west again.

[bhcompy]

15-70 is the fastest route and the roads are plowed quickly if there is snow. it's the route I take every year around the same time(last week of march/first week of april) and I've never had issues.

[b.adams]

15 / 70 is the fastest.

I'd only go the Southern Route if I looked at the weather and saw a lot of snow in Colorado (i.e. a big storm) and wanted to avoid it.

The weather has been pretty mild, so I doub't the mountains would be a problem ... plus they know how to plow it and keep it good ... in the mountains.

[SHK74]

Great! Thank you for the replies...

[tfox]

This just in... I-70 is closed in Glenwood Canyon due to a rockslide.

Rockslide in Glenwood Canyon; 17-mile stretch of I-70 closed - The Denver Post

You definitely want to avoid I-70 until this is cleared.

[Idunn]

Hmm. The suggested alternative route through Craig and Steamboat Springs represents a significant detour. It is all two-lane, at lower posted speeds, and just a lot longer drive. Not recommended unless one may enjoy the scenery. All the more inadvisable if most of I-70's usual traffic will use such a detour. It will prove a nightmare for everyone involved.

If this section of I-70 is not re-opened by your departure, and it seems possibly not, then the alternative southern route of I-40/I-25 is advisable. Save possible weather, it is perfectly fast, if not as direct as I-15/I-70. In bad weather it is generally preferable to the northern route, but certain sections can still prove difficult. If but weeks from official spring, snow storms can still be a factor.

Presumably interstates are preferred, but if not there are other feasible routes, some quite scenic.

[treedonkey]

Yes, take, I-15 to I-70 but check this site beforehand and along the way if possible:
CO Road Conditions

[sterlinggirl]

CDOT is already working on a way to shorten the detour.


YouTube - Car Catapult

[suzco]

Update: I-70 has one lane open in each direction
Colorado Department of Transportation

Open to Traffic
I-70 Eastbound / Westbound Glenwood Springs - Dotsero (Glenwood Canyon) (Milemarker 116-133)

one lane is now open in each direction; 14 foot restriction in Glenwood Canyon expect delays. Last updated on March 11th, 2010 at 3:14pm.