Winter travel route from Layton, UT to Colorado Springs, CO (how much, hotel)

[PinkScorpion]

Hello, need some help determing which route would be the safest route to travel during the winter season (Dec 24th) from Layton Utah to Colorado Springs. Mapquest says I-80 is the quickest route with 8hrs and 48mins. My concern is safe travel vs quickest or shortest way. This is my first time driving in the winter season from Utah to Colorado. After reading several forums, they say always check the weather the day of travel to determine your route. I'm leaning towards I-80 to WY then down to Colorado. I just want to make sure I get to my son and grandbaby safely. Any advise?? flying is simply not an option as we will be traveling with a boxer dog.

[irman]

Originally Posted by PinkScorpion

they say always check the weather the day of travel to determine your route.

Definitively! I call the Highway Patrol for info.

I also advise having a set of chains with you whether you count on snow or not!
Whether you have summer tires or winter tires.
One never knows exactly what the weather will be like.

Suggestion: (not sure if still available...)
Les Schwab Tires had a deal where you can buy a set of chains for your specific tires and they will show you how to use them.
If you did not use them, after you come back, you can return the chains to them if you do not want to keep them.
I am not sure how much they will buy it back for... Check with them anyway!

I have done both routes I-80 and I-70 in winter and did not have any problems with light to moderate snow. You just have to slow down and drive careful!!
Keep your gas tank as full as possible for the whole route!

[Beernik]

Without weather considerations, I-80 is about an hour faster than I-70. I-70 is a more enjoyable trip in terms of scenery.

I would also add: be prepared to spend the night in a hotel & having a pet with you can complicate that. I-80 can close because of wind & ground blizzards. I-70 can close because because they can’t keep the road clear. When I was a kid, we moved from Denver to SLC and spent a very cold night in the car because we had two cats with us.

One final consideration: think about taking Amtrak if that’s a possibility. The Zepher is about $80 per person into Denver (one way fare). You can take pets on Amtrak for an additional charge, but I’m not sure about boxer size.

[SWFL_Native]

I would pick i80 9/10 as it will be so much quicker but if there is a heavy snowfall and winds predicted then take i70.

[JannyJonson]

Originally Posted by PinkScorpion

Hello, need some help determing which route would be the safest route to travel during the winter season (Dec 24th) from Layton Utah to Colorado Springs. Mapquest says I-80 is the quickest route with 8hrs and 48mins. My concern is safe travel vs quickest or shortest way. This is my first time driving in the winter season from Utah to Colorado. After reading several forums, they say always check the weather the day of travel to determine your route. I'm leaning towards I-80 to WY then down to Colorado. I just want to make sure I get to my son and grandbaby safely. Any advise?? flying is simply not an option as we will be traveling with a boxer dog.

It seems to me that now, if you prepare well, then travel becomes much easier and safer. I download all sorts of applications online or offline. For example, locations of good cafes, where to find housing, how to drive, maps and everything that might be useful in unfamiliar areas. In the last journey I used https://ua.maptons.com

[GAngus]

I have driven both in the winter. As others have suggested, go with the weather reports the day of your trip. If you take I-70, are you going to take Highway 6 as a cutoff? Soldier Summit is a major pass, and Highway 6 follows a narrow canyon in places. Not a place to be during a snowstorm.