I70 sites to see vs I80 sites to see (Denver: home, vs.)

[Ali9110]

I'm taking my first west bound roadtrip from Pittsburgh, Pa to Colorado Springs, Co. in the beginning of January. I see there is a debate between taking I-70 vs. I-80, as far as a site seeing route goes which would you recommend has the best must see stops with in a reasonable distance from the normal route? I understand snow may be a factor to keep in mind. I'm looking for anything from the "worlds largest" things to the weirdest things around, to historical/educational stops. Anything to break up the drive and still be entertaining when we stop for a stretch. We will be driving the whole drive at once, no over night stops, so part of the drive will be at night if there are any suggestions for night time stops, maybe a nice place to check out some stars! I've already checked out roadsideamerica.com and thrillist.com among some other google searches and I only found a handful of suggestions that are within a half hour off of the route, not all of them seem very "I must see this" though. I would like some personal experiences from people who have traveled this and found things I may not see online. Short walking trails, waterfalls, worlds largest, weirdest, odd roadside attractions, historical/educational, anything really! Please and thank you!!

[bluescreen73]

When are you taking the trip?

[Tim Tim Tim]

corn, there is plenty of corn on both routes..

[Ali9110]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

When are you taking the trip?

We will be leaving Saturday the 7th in the evening hours and driving over night and all day Sunday. Hoping to arrive late Sunday night.

[njkate]

You do realize I80 doesn't go through Colorado? It would take you into Wyoming where you would pickup I 25 and head south to Colorado Springs.

Doesn't matter which route, there is not much too see unless you plan on getting off the interstate, and your drive time frame really doesn't leave room for sight seeing.

I've done this trip and your time frame even with 2 drivers is grueling.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by Ali9110

We will be leaving Saturday the 7th in the evening hours and driving over night and all day Sunday. Hoping to arrive late Sunday night.

Accidentally overlooked the part in your original post about early January. Given the fact that you're leaving in the evening you'll get to either the Quad Cities (I-80) or St. Louis (I-70) by morning. Most of your daylight driving will be in IA/NE (I-80) or KS/MO (I-70).

With that in mind, I'd go with I-70. You can stop in St. Louis and spend a couple hours at the Gateway Arch (get tickets in advance if you want to try to go to the top of the arch).

Most of the stuff on I-80 is kitschy. There's "The Great Platte River Road Archway" (arch to nowhere) in Kearney, the Pony Express Cabin in Gothenburg, the Buffalo Bill Ranch in North Platte, or Boot Hill Cemetery in Ogallala.

EDIT: If you take the I-70 route, you'll likely take US-24 from Limon into Colorado Springs. Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Calhan is right off 24, is free, and it's a mini-Badlands.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by njkate

You do realize I80 doesn't go through Colorado? It would take you into Wyoming where you would pickup I 25 and head south to Colorado Springs.

Doesn't matter which route, there is not much too see unless you plan on getting off the interstate.

They'd likely take I-76 from Big Springs, NE, to Denver.

[Ali9110]

Originally Posted by njkate

You do realize I80 doesn't go through Colorado? It would take you into Wyoming where you would pickup I 25 and head south to Colorado Springs

Yes, thank you. I was thinking, if it's worth it, take one route there and one route home I could hit more states. I would like to see Denver as well so if I drive up to Denver before I leave and take I-76 from Denver to I-80 through Nebraska and Iowa then I can head back south a little bit once I get to Illinois and jump back on I-70 or something. I want to see as much as I possibly can with in my time limits.

[Ali9110]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

Accidentally overlooked the part in your original post about early January. Given the fact that you're leaving in the evening you'll get to either the Quad Cities (I-80) or St. Louis (I-70) by morning. Most of your daylight driving will be in IA/NE (I-80) or KS/MO (I-70).

With that in mind, I'd go with I-70. You can stop in St. Louis and spend a couple hours at the Gateway Arch (get tickets in advance if you want to try to go to the top of the arch).

Most of the stuff on I-80 is kitschy. There's "The Great Platte River Road Archway" (arch to nowhere) in Kearney, the Pony Express Cabin in Gothenburg, the Buffalo Bill Ranch in North Platte, or Boot Hill Cemetery in Ogallala.

EDIT: If you take the I-70 route, you'll likely take US-24 from Limon into Colorado Springs. Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Calhan is right off 24, is free, and it's a mini-Badlands.

So if I take I-70 on my way to Colorado and my daylight drive time would be in that area, coming back home going the opposite way would it be a little different, right? We would be leaving probably early evening Saturday to come home and again be driving through the night. The route home will allow for a little more time to site see if we don't get to see certain things on the way to Colorado. Would you still recommend taking I-70 on the way home too and just hitting different stops as the daylight allows?

[SQL]

I've driven both routes from MI.

I-80 to I-76 to I-25 is usually the shortest route.

I-70 is the longer route, but will take you through some larger cities that you might enjoy seeing.