Best route across mountains in west (location, tips, driving, traveling)

[xz2y]

I am looking at a potential trip across the country to check out Oregon as a retirement location. I live in Michigan and have driven to Colorado in the past, and several times to Kansas City and Minneapolis. I have flown to the west coast but never driven across the mountains in the west. Which routes from Minneapolis or Denver west to Oregon would be the "best" in terms of crossing the mountains in the spring (May) with the lowest elevations, best roads (wider) and guardrails. I'm not into winding, steep mountain roads with no guardrails, however scenic. I don't mind taking extra time to have a better drive (lower elevations, etc).

[WyoNewk]

Probably I-90 would be your best bet. It's a pretty easy drive, not too much traffic, no big cities, not much mountainous driving.... I-80 wouldn't be bad either, but traffic is a little heavier, a little more city driving and really boring. If you're headed for southern Oregon I'd take I-80; for northern Oregon I-90. Winter storms in May would be possible with either, but unlikely. I-70 over the divide west of Denver is busy, steep, a bit curvy... and takes you too far south.

[Cali BassMan]

From Denver you can take 25 to Cheyenne, get on 80 all the way to Sacramento then 5 north into Oregon. As previous poster said, might be best way to Southern Oregon, wide open and easy traveling but a pretty boring drive...80 thru the Sierras is almost always open, and most certainley won't be a problem in May...

[xz2y]

Thanks for the good tips. I'll look at a map. Anyone know of a good website that discusses the various mountain passes on I-80 and I-90 (elevations, etc)? Thanks again.