Driving to Salt Lake City from Texas in the winter (Ogden: hotel, price)

[Soviet]

I'd be driving a Subaru Impreza and no, I'm not one of those goofballs who thinks he's invincible just because he has AWD. I know how to drive in snow, I mean, come on, I'm Russian.

Problem is, it's been a bit of a long while since I've driven in snow. We got a dusting of ice in San Antonio back in February and I drove in that, felt pretty sure and never went out of control. Wish I could say the same for the million abandoned cars on the roads.

Anyways, I was wondering if it's doable to drive across Utah in a Subaru with all-season tires that handled well in the ice storm. Or will I need to take a winter driving class and get some snow tires, as well?

What's y'alls advice? Thank you very much in advance!

[irman]

Unless you drive the *scenic* route, that does not get cleared from snow in the winter (if there is snow), then no problem, as long as you stay on the *main* roads.
When there is a bad snow storm before you drive the road or while you are on the road, just take it easy and you'll be OK.
I do suggest, you have a set of tire chains with you.
For Justin Case ..
Drive during daylight hours only, if at all possible.
Dark, unfamiliar roads, with snow or ice on it is not good.
Often there is *black ice* at the late hours and at night, no good either.

[kaytidid]

Hey Irman...hopefully Justin Case isn't coming with him

Safe travels, Soviet!

[skibarbie]

If you plan on staying out here for the winter season, get snow tires. One requirement of the "chains/AWD" restrictions that are put in place is AWD must have at least 2 snow tires. Both Cottonwood Canyons have this restriction on a fairly frequent basis during the snow season and Parleys Canyon has the restriction less often.
If you are not going up to enjoy our fabulous snow, you can get probably survive without them. I love my snow tires and not having to take the ski bus....

[irman]

Originally Posted by skibarbie

One requirement of the "chains/AWD" restrictions that are put in place is AWD must have at least 2 snow tires.

I was not aware of that requirement, but I agree that is a very good one.

To put *soviet* more at ease, and make him not feel alone in his predicament,
I could add that even in Utah, where it WILL snow some days in winter,
it is even hard for some native Utahns,
the first snow day how to drive in snow again.
Seems they have forgotten how to adjust their driving habits after each summer of fun ...
I used to drive I-15 north to Ogden each day for work.
In winter after a good first snow, it was like driving on a runway !
All those four wheelers in the ditch or in the center,
all with their lights on, warning other sane drivers not to be an other idiot ...

Because the *Mormon 500* (aka I-15) is about the only way to get from one end of Utah to the other, it is rather well maintained.
I do appreciate the efforts UDOT makes to keep the roads clear.

I have never owned or driven an AWD vehicle,
so I do not know if you do get the feeling that you can drive whichever way in one of those,
but with my front wheel drive, and good winter tires (I have 4 of them),
I have a set of chains in my car I have NEVER used ... yet ...
Never did I get stuck anywhere (in snow) while driving.

So, Mr. Soviet, just get here, drive across Utah, and if you stay, have a great time.
Glad you mentioned you are NOT a goofball ... and I am sure that most of us here do not care if you are Russian or not !
A very very long time ago (BM) I dated a Russian girl, who only spoke Russian and French !!.
She said she was a *White Russian*
I said that I only knew that after having three White Russians (drinks) one should not drive a car anymore !!!

Uhm ...
BM = Before Marriage, and also Before Mormon, take your pick.
White Russian = a creamy vodka and Kahlua mixed drink served on the rocks (for you teetotalers).

[Jax10]

haha the Mormon 500...good one!

[BuckeyezRule]

FWIW, we moved to Utah from Ohio, left 12/26/06. Drove south & took I-40 across to 'avoid' the snow. Oy! Ran into the worst snowstorm ABQ has had. lol Our drive through Utah, via Price was uneventful. We had an SUV w/ 4WD at the time.

Good luck & safe moving! =) It's great here. =) I have a number of friends who moved to Utah from Texas, & love it here. =)

[Utahooligan]

The elevation above sea-level has quite an impact on the amount of snow here in Utah, and there are PLENTY of times in the Winter that stretches of I-15 are completely closed down due to Winter-related conditions -- could just be one bad accident somewhere, or it could be so many accidents/cars running off the road that public safety & tow-trucks can't deal with the increasing #s, so the freeway is shut-down, or it could simply be due to a blizzard reducing visibility to an unsafe level & road plows not being able to clear the roads.

So a lot has nothing to do with YOUR driving experience or type of vehicle.

Here in my area of SW Utah, Northbound I-15 in Winter is usually OK -- perhaps wet, but not icy/slushy/snowy -- until you hit approximately mile-marker 26, where all of a sudden, you're at that magic altitude where there tends to be snow & ice that unsuspecting people weren't ready to suddenly deal with.


I assume the final leg of your drive will be I-15 thru Las Vegas to Salt Lake City. If so, I suggest that once you hit St George Utah you fill up with gas & make sure you've got some emergency supplies, etc. so that *if* I-15 is closed up ahead, you won't be too uncomfortable sitting in your car for a few hours & waiting. Also you can try to gather info on what the weather is like up ahead:

Utah Department of Transportation

If they close I-15, Utah Highway Patrol diverts traffic off an exit into a city or town. If the storm is bad, any available motel rooms will fill-up quickly, and if I-15 is really bad, there's no guarantee the exit ramp & streets feeding into the town are going to be good, so in a worst-case scenario it's important to have supplies in your car. If you know I-15 is closed up ahead & you don't want to be sitting in you car car in the snow for perhaps up to 5 or 6 hours, getting a hotel/motel room in the St George/Washington City/Hurricane area (Utah I-15 mile markers 4 - 16 area) is your best bet.

[Lamborgotti]

^Mmm, being that the OP is coming from Texas, wouldn't really make sense for him to go through Las Vegas...

[irman]

Originally Posted by Lamborgotti

make sense for him to go through Las Vegas...

Scenic Route ???

Regardless, once you enter from the south or east, you can get snow,
if Mother Nature wants to *play* with you ...

Keep in mind that Mothers always like to play with their kids ...
You do not believe me ?
Watch almost any Mother, saying,
*Look dahlin, snow outside (where else ??), would you like to play in it ?*