I-70, LA to Denver.....roadtrip.

[Joe Bob]

Any advice? Nookie and Job run......

[David McLaughlin]

Drive fast and don't stop

[fast_e_man]

JB, I think you have the express route dialed in. I15 through Vegas & St. George, then I70 the rest of the way. I've done this run non-stop, but it's brutally long day.

It's roughly 800 miles from LA to Grand Junction, so that's a respectable day1 for the road trip. From GJ it's about a 4 hour drive to Denver (traffic permitting). The ski season is winding down so the risk of a "405 like" parking lot on I70 approaching Denver is dimishing, but Id' still avoid the last 60 miles to Denver in late afternoon.

Leaving GJ heading east you start gaining elevation quickly on I70. Best plan is to be better rested for the last 4 hours of mountain driving, plus you'll be better focused for your nookie call. There is snow in the forcast for this Sunday as I understand. West approach up Vail Pass can be nasty if it's storming. You never know when unprepared folks from places like Cali will do something dumb and hose up the drive for those that don't freak out in snowy conditions:-)

The drive from GJ to Denver has some interesting stuff to see/do, but expect you will be highly motivated to maximize your entertainment time in Denver.

On Denver to LA trip I usually stop in Vegas to overnight (maybe not much rest).

[Seahawk]

Cheaper to fly...just looked at Kayak, under $400 RT.

The drive itself is nice but why waste a whole day driving when the Devine Miss Rup is at journey's end?

You kids have better things to do.

[Joe Bob]

She's not available 24/7, kiddies and other issues.

The drive versus flight and rental is a wash....not like I have anything else to do.

Just looking to see if there are any gotchas along the route.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Just looking to see if there are any gotchas along the route.

Only the weather, really. The drive is, planning for traffic, a pleasure.

Enjoy.

[campbellcj]

I did the reverse drive a few weeks ago and it was fine, mostly pretty pleasant actually, but a very long day. The pass near Vail was pretty sketchy with ice. Early in the morning when I went thru and it was -3F there, very slippery. The whole run from about Aspen to St. George, UT is just gorgeous in terms of scenery.

[Heel n Toe]

If you do the drive, shoot us a pic every time you see some scenery worth a click. Funky gas stations with mountains in the background, diners with rusty local vehicles parked out front, you know the drill.

Where's that cool travelogue Angela did in her SC when ya need it? Butters!

[GWN7]

If we are there the same time I'll buy the burgers and beers.

[Heel n Toe]

Found Angela's trip travelogue...

Working for a Living - Wanderings of a Blue Collar 911

JoeBob, I'm sure you won't have time for the verbage, but send us some pics from the road.

[dave 911]

Glenwood Canyon is a highlight of that route. Awesome scenery and highway engineering, with equally awesome railroad engineering on the opposite bank of the Colorado. And if you are really lucky, you'll pace a freight train through the canyon, and the echo of the locomotive prime movers bouncing off the canyon walls is freaking spectacular...make sure the windows are down

[Seahawk]

I also use this site to gauge time and delays: National Traffic and Road Closure Information | Federal Highway Administration

[fast_e_man]

JB,

Here is a I70 speed trap advisory for you. About 30 miles east of GJ there is a small town named De Beque. It's at the top of the 1st canyon along the Colorado River east of GJ. There is a highway patrolman that stakes out I70 just west of De Beque. The speed limit drops for west bound just west of De Beque, and he makes a living nailing drivers that don't slow down from 75 to 60 MPH. Heading east the canyon flattens out and you will have this urge to accelerate above 70. The road is built for 75 MPH and it's tempting, but DO NOT speed just west of De Beque. My son lives in GJ so I travel to/from GJ with some regularity -- that state rod is legendary with folks that know the road.

[Vipergrün]

Check weather frequently. Colorado can get nasty storms this time of the year. Stop at Costco for a a large box of condoms

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by fast_e_man

JB,

Here is a I70 speed trap advisory for you. About 30 miles east of GJ there is a small town named De Beque. It's at the top of the 1st canyon along the Colorado River east of GJ. There is a highway patrolman that stakes out I70 just west of De Beque. The speed limit drops for west bound just west of De Beque, and he makes a living nailing drivers that don't slow down from 75 to 60 MPH. Heading east the canyon flattens out and you will have this urge to accelerate above 70. The road is built for 75 MPH and it's tempting, but DO NOT speed just west of De Beque. My son lives in GJ so I travel to/from GJ with some regularity -- that state rod is legendary with folks that know the road.

Thanks, that is the warning I'm looking for.

No need for gloves, been fixed and hadda blood test......

[2porscheguy]

When are you planning on going JB?

[Joe Bob]

Next couple of weeks.....

[wportervt]

Depending on when you're coming through, the drive from around Vail to Denver can be slow going if you hit it at the wrong time. Just try to avoid the window of about 1200 to 1600 on Sat or Sun on this stretch and you shouldn't get caught up in too much of the peak ski traffic. That will still be an issue for another couple of weeks.

The Colorado department of transportation website Road Conditions, Speeds, Travel Times, Traffic Cameras, Live Streaming Traffic Cameras, Road Closures and Road Work Information provided by Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) a branch of Colorado Department of Transportation can be helpful for checking out road and traffic conditions across our state. They also have mobile apps if you've got the right kind of phone and those can give you alerts on things like closures or severe delays. Search cdot mobile in the app store.

The smokies also like to run radar on the last pitch of I70 down towards Denver between the top of Floyd Hill and Morrison. They typically sit on or near the bridge over the highway at exit 256 so try to keep it within a few of the limit there. It's a long steep downhill so easy to let your speed creep up...

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Any advice?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/805489-need-some-advice-treating-ed.html

[Joe Bob]

Har, har......it may take longer to recharge but 3-5 times a nite is normal.

Call yer Momz if ya doan believe me.....