California to Denver - January 2006

[AngliaGT]

I'm planning on going to Denver,from Eureka,CA,in
January.I have a '62 Ford Consul Capri to go to Denver,
& need to bring my Son's car back.
Any thoughts,or ideas?
I have a '94 Dodge Dakota 2wd (V6) to tow with.

- Doug

 

[Steve_S]

Might consider taking the southern route through Arizona and New Mexico, then north into Colorado. I did the same route in January years back while towing a car to avoid the Rockies in winter.

 

[Bret]

January can be a bit tough weather-wise if’n you ain’t familiar with cold weather driving. But if it was me planning a trip from Northern California to Denver, I’d pay close attention to the weather reports the day or so before you leave & stick with the more heavily traveled highways & interstates whenever possible. That way if you get stuck or have vehicle problems – you’ll have call boxes & know that eventually someone will be along to help ya out.

But in your case I’d keep it simple & take Interstate 80 all the way to Cheyenne then take Interstate 25 South into Denver. This should be the “quickest” route with a trailer in tow. Figure about 25 hour’s none-stop with allowances unexpected weather changes, fuel & food pit stops.

Now I've never taken that part of I80 before, but should you see any weather difficulties you have the option at the mid-way point, of re-route south on I15 through Salt Lake City down to Interstate 70 East. This’ll take you into Grand Junction CO, then over the Rockies and down into Denver. Having lived in Colorado for years I am very familiar with this route and even with some high mountain passes, believe it or not they actually keep the roads pretty clean of snow even in the worst of conditions. And should you get stuck there are plenty of places to hold up for better weather along the way without having to worry about getting snowed in for more than a few hours or so.

Just pay attention to those signs that tell you how far till the next gas station and top off the tank if it looks like a long distance before you can fuel up again. And just to be safe I’d pack some tire chains, blankets and believe it or not some water in case you get stranded.

 

[JamesWilson]

[ QUOTE ]
Just pay attention to those signs that tell you how far till the next gas station ....

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll confirm the wisedom of this. Travelling east towards Denver some years ago my British wife was astounded to see a sign that there were NO facilities for 136 miles....

But in January you might not have the other problem that bothered her- warnings that snakes might be found in the "public conveniences".... She looked a little jaundiced once we got to Denver.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif

 

[AngliaGT]

I swoe that I'd NEVER go through Wyoming
again.Went there 31/2 years ago to move the Son
in.The speed limit's 85MPH!It seemed totaly weird
driving a Ford Aerostar at these speeds for hours
on end.
Colorado is incredible ,once you get to Glenwood -
- Springs.Would be even better in the Summer in a
British convertible.
I'll be taking my '94 Dodge Dakota 2WD,Club Cab.
I've thought about buying a '60 - '82 Ford F250 4WD,
now that I can justify using one.
I'm worried - does that make me a closet SUV driver?
Also trailer or tow dolly?
I checked with U-Haul - a 10ft.truck,one way $1900-
- + fuel!

Thanks,

- Doug

 

[MGA Steve]

The speeds are about the same on I-70 and I-80, although it is only 65 mph in the Colorado mountains. But I-70 goes through the mountains and I-80 goes around them. Wind and drifting snow on I-80 vs. snow-packed/icy conditions and high mountain passes with steep (6%) grades on I-70 at Vail Pass and the Eisenhower Tunnel. Of course, we can also have 50 degree shirt-sleeve weather in January!

So, the choice is really up to you. But with only two-wheel drive, I would take I-80--shorter, less ice, lower grades, and plenty of motels in every little town from Elko to Green River to Cheyenne, in case a blizzard should strike. If you use I-70, you may be required to put on chains (trucks and trailers only, generally not cars). That may be no problem if you also have to do it in the California mountains, but a real pain if you don't.

Oh, and don't forget to come back in June for the 54th Annual Rallye Glenwood Springs put on by the MG Car Club, Rocky Mountain Centre. Then you can drive your LBC with the top down through Glenwood Canyon and Aspen and really enjoy what Colorado has to offer! Go to "www.mgcc.org/rmc/htm" for information.