NPC: Need directions to Colorado, from Calif. Options

[Jenny]

My boyfriend is going to see his REALLY ill grandmother in Glenwood Springs, Colorado this weekend. Doctors aren't sure how many days she has left. Mapquest is obviously sending him way out of the way. Any advice? Ginter? Other Denver area folk?

TIA,

Jen

[john rogers]

When we went to Denver, we went up I-15 to I-70 then East. Can't miss Denver that way. It is cold in the moutains though so be careful. Not at all like So Cal!!!

[Jenny]

He's coming from the bay area (cupertino). Mapquest wanted to send him down to LA and then across to colorado as well. Is that really the only way? Seems like there *should* be a more direct route. Maybe that's just the fastest?

Thanks!

Jen

[Qarl]

Head East until you come to some big snowy mountains!

Then follow all the cars with ski racks!

[campbellcj]

Jen, the straight shot is to just hop on I80 and head east...the weather can certainly be a factor though this time of year. I haven't noticed Gint on this board recently but he certainly should be able to offer some more enlightened advice.

[bernbomb914]

Jen go on I 80 to Denver turn off go to I 70 west Glenwood spgs. is about 3 hours west on a good day at the aspen turnoff. If the weather is bad it will probely be bad coming from LA on I 15 to I 70 also

Bernie

[Jenny]

Thanks guys. Looks like best bet is to go north. At least this way he bypasses LA and Vegas traffic.

Merci beaucoup!

Jen

[GWN7]

With I80 you have more chance of ice and snow. I70 is further South and the mountain passes are lower than on I80. (Drove them both last January) Also I70 has less trafic. I80 is a prefered truck route in and out of California

Do a Mapquest search from where you are to Salt lake and then from Salt Lake to Glenwood Springs...see what the milage difference is, from the original directions Mapquest gave you.

[Hawktel]

I-80 to Laramie, and south to Denver. I was in Wyoming on Sunday, the roads were clear and dry from Salt Lake City to Rock Springs.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)

[Jenny]

It's shorter and faster going thru LA and vegas (25miles), but I don't think mapquest knows about LA and Vegas traffic.

Jen

[Brad Roberts]

There is NO reason for him to get anywhere near LA. Go down HWY 5 until you get to Buttonwillow and take the exit for Bakersfield... then head to Barstow... it by passes all the LA crap.

I dont suggest going the northern route..


B

[rhodyguy]

if you're into geothermal soaking the HUGE spring complex in glennwood is great. doc holiday went to the town when he was dieing of consumption.

kevin

[seanery]

I spent 10 days in Park City, UT which is right off I-80. If it's snowin' (which it's supposed to start doing again today) it's tough! They take care of that stretch of road, but it can be really scary when ice covered. I'm not sure about the other areas on I-80, but I thought I'd just pass along my experience.

[Ferg]

Jen, i've driven both ways and for glenwood you want to follow brad's advice. It is a PITA to go 80 that far north and find your way south to Glenwood. Coming back from montery this summer in our camper I had to make the same choice and took the northern route, mistake! 15 to 70 is a piece of cake compared to 80 this time of year. Ferg.

[Malmz]

You guys ALL missed the obvious answer... "follow Kobe"

Boooooooooooooooooooo

[Mountain914]

Have you considered 80 E to Salt Lake, then highway 6 SE through Price, to I70 E ?
As far as Colorado - should be OK weather this weekend - but after all, it is Colorado.
I used to be stationed in Vallejo, and even lived in Yosemite a year, but have gone so many different routes all I can say is "they can all get you where you want to go".
What kind of vehicle is he driving? If AWD then no problem, if he has to baby it, then stick to the I-15 to I-70 route, but I wouldn't consider going that far South when you don't need to, maybe Hiway 50 across?

[Mountain914]

Also, if IIRC, Las Vegas traffic isn't that bad on a weekend (just don't get off the hiway)

[Jenny]

He's got a WRX with AWD, but he has khumos on them. It's the traffic BETWEEN LA and Vegas that's really bad. On Fridays and Sundays, when people are fleeing the basin for sin city, it gets pretty backed up on the road. Thanks guys! I'll forward the info to him and we'll see!

Jen

[Mountain914]

I've got a WRX too, and would take the cross-county routes if I were doing it !! But Khumos... hmmm, not sure he'll have any troubles. Why don't you ride with him, then maybe you guys could cut over to Conifer and give me a hand with my 914 !

[seanery]

I drove up from LA to SLC a couple weeks ago. We left on Wednesday evening. It was the smoothest LA-Vegas trip traffic-wise that I've ever done. That's now my travel day of choice.