I-70 vs I-80, which is best? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

I-70 vs I-80, which is best?

Paul and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

United Airlines?

OK ... just kidding.

Paul

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi, This summer, we went from Las Vegas, to Metro Washington DC, and back. Obviously, a lot depends on where you are leaving from, and where you wish to go. This year, we chose I-40 and I-81, then I-66, to the Metro area. The roads were good in VA,Tenn, Tx, and NV,fair in NM, and just awful in OK,and AZ. Last year we took I-70/I-80 to go back to New Jersey. The trip along I-70 in Utah,and the cantilevered road following the Colorado River through Glen Canyon, is one I never tire of. After Denver, we took 80, and the ride was good,except when close to Chicago and Cleveland.Very rough roads. I found the condition of the road (80), in Pennsylvania, to be very poor. Don't know if it improved any, but I doubt it. It seems that some of the states are not keeping up to standard on the interstate system.Can't tell you about the I-70, east of Denver, however. Never took that route.

Richard

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

If I were planning a trip like that and had plenty of time I would look at as many US and State Highways as possible. So far I have found them to be more scenic and in better condition than our Interstate system.

tntlowrider · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have been on I-70 east of Denver, not much to see in eastern CO and KS. Lost of rolling hills, plains and farms. Lots of traffic, especially when you get east of Kansas City. Missouri rough in some areas but construction all along route and they work to improve it. Generally good road all the way through Ohio. That is as far east I have been on this road.

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with George. If you want to really see the U.S., stay off of the Interstates.

A few years ago, we took US 50 from IL to CA. It was one of our best trips. We've also taken US 2 from WA to MI. and really enjoyed that route.

Jim

jagco · RV-Dreams Family Member

When I read Richards word, "the cantilevered road following the Colorado River" I had to go searching that on the net. That truly sounded interesting, and not something I'd ever heard about. Well, it looks truly amazing. I found some pictures that various travelers had posted on there web sites. I would love to drive that. I never did figure out if it is actually part of I-70, or what, but I'd sure like to know. I don't want to totally hijack Colorado Kid's thread, so please PM me if want to tell me what highway it is.

As far as the original question, I totally agree with Racerguy, I would look at as many US and State Highways as possible.

Have a good trip whenever you head out.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

jagco wrote:

When I read Richards word, "the cantilevered road following the Colorado River" I had to go searching that on the net. That truly sounded interesting, and not something I'd ever heard about. Well, it looks truly amazing. I found some pictures that various travelers had posted on there web sites. I would love to drive that. I never did figure out if it is actually part of I-70, or what, but I'd sure like to know. I don't want to totally hijack Colorado Kid's thread, so please PM me if want to tell me what highway it is.

As far as the original question, I totally agree with Racerguy, I would look at as many US and State Highways as possible.

Have a good trip whenever you head out.

Jeff and Georgia,

I believe it is I-70. Below is a link to an article about it.

Terry

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/04mar/04.cfm

jagco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the link. That really gives all the info I need.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just drove the Glenwood Canyon stretch of I-70 last week.It's a pretty drive and an engineering marvel.

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

I went through Glenwood Canyon about a month ago and it is beautiful. I am going to have to take my RV there and spend a day in that area.

Thanks for all the recommendations. It looks like there are positives and negatives for driving interstate highways.

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

The drive west from Denver on I-70 is fabulous, beautiful scenery & a variety of places to camp along the way. If you don't mind mountain driving, I'd recommend it.

Cindy T

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cindy T wrote:

The drive west from Denver on I-70 is fabulous, beautiful scenery & a variety of places to camp along the way. If you don't mind mountain driving, I'd recommend it.

Cindy T
It is a pretty drive but be sure to bring all the horsepower you have,there are some long hard pulls. My Dodge had it's tongue hanging out a couple times.

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We just returned from the West. We ran I-70 from St Louis to Utah and we were in Glennwood springs and stay just West of there. If you do use I-70 you will see some of the most beautiful sites in the world. I have ran I-70 twice in the last few years and mountains are breath taking. I ran I-80 a number of year back, I will say when the Snow falls its time to go South. I do prefer I-80.
Don't know if your pulling a RV or not but there are some very long pulls in the Rockies and long grades on the other side. You will remember Vail Pass, we pull very heavy and double tow and we had no problem but we do have a MDT. Good Luck.... GBY...

P.S. I believe you will find some pictures of Glennwood Springs on our Web site. Or for sure on Face Book. Delaine was doing several hundred photos daily. Most were taken on the Road at 64 mph, with a Fugi Digital camera.

-- Edited by Delaine and Lindy on Friday 3rd of September 2010 10:10:59 AM

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

I live right off I-70 in the Rocky Mountains (in fact I am looking at it right now) and traveled from D.C. to Colorado on I-70. I have never been on I-80 so I might take that just to try a different way.

Remi · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jeff and Georgia,

I believe it is I-70. Below is a link to an article about it.

Terry

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/04mar/04.cfm

Merci beaucoup... I drove this the year after it opened, but it was at O'Dark Thirty, so not much of a view, and for the life of me, I couldn't remember where it was at, lol.ni will definitely be driving it again this year, during the day, lol.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have just driven I-70 from Colorado to the east with a 5'er. I have also driven I-80 with the same 5'er. I-70 – hands down is the best way road quality wise. Not even a discussion IMO.

I-80 is some of the worst Interstate I have ever driven mid-west to the east. In fact, I’ve driven the Alaska Hiway, with a 5’er, and at times I think I-80 is worse – not to mention it has a long section from Illinois through Ohio to Pennsylvania that is *all* toll. (Yes I-70 becomes toll in Penn., but there are some options there once you get to Columbus Ohio. The Penn Turnpike – I-70 in Penn. - is likewise a terrible road – IMO.)

Summary: I-80 is an expensive toll road once you reach Illinois, with a very rough ride – not to mention you can make better time – if that is an issue – on I-70.

That’s my 2 cents based on my experience. As they say, "Your Milage May Vary."

Safe travels.

Bill

Colorado_Kid · RV-Dreams Family Member

I wanted people to know I plan on taking I-70 to St. Louis and then taking I-64 through Kentucky and then traveling up I-79 to I-68 and traveling through Maryland to Rt. 50. I may take I-81 to I-40 on the way back but it depends on diesel prices and how I am feeling. Thanks for everyones help.

-- Edited by Colorado_Kid on Tuesday 29th of March 2011 04:04:16 PM

Pat L · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great choice of roads. I have driven most of that many times. When you are approaching St. Louis and want a great stop over try St. Charles around exit 325. There is Sundermyers RV just off of I 370. It is a super part. Take a visit to down town St. Charles as it was Missouri's First Capitol. Many shops and restaurants. It is the starting point for Lewis & Clark on the Missouri River. I grew up there and built rebuilt some of the buildings in the old town area. You will love it. Then you are only a 30 minute drive to the Gateway Arch. Another must see. I can go on & on as there is so much to do there.

Enjoy your trip and be safe.

Pat