Interstate Driving CO to UT

[rvduo]

We are thinking about heading to Salt Lake City after our Denver stay in June. How is the drive on I-80 - anything we should be concerned about?
Thanks,
Z

[ColoradoNative]

If you are planning on taking US 287 through Fort Collins to Laramie, there is construction just north of Fort Collins that is sometimes difficult, but all the truckers use that cutoff. If you plan that route, let me know and I will give you more info.

I-80 will very likely have some miles of construction where you are running 2 lanes on one side of the interstate while they rebuild the other. 15 or 20 miles.

When you get past Green River WY near Evanston there are 2 or 3 quite steep up and down hill stretches of 2 or 3 miles that are 3 lanes for the heavily loaded trucks to have a climbing lane.

I-80 is the major east west truck route through that area so you will have a lot of big rigs, with some double and triple trailers for company.

It can be windy out across Wyoming from Laramie to Utah, but it's usually not bad unless you happen to get caught in a storm.

[drfife]

I-80 is fine, just a lot of semi's. The winds can be fierce on I-80 through Wyoming. That's normal for them, but it was not for me. Not unsafe, just a beating for the driver to constantly correct.

[rvduo]

Thanks. This helps. We have reservations in Golden, so I-80 is convenient. We were also considering the I-70 route, but it looked like it would take a little longer, although I haven't gotten around to mapping it that direction yet.
Z

[ColoradoNative]

I've driven both numerous times and both are good. I-70 is much more scenic, however, there is Vale pass and the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel to traverse - both at or over 11,000 feet.

When you get into Utah on I-70, I would recommend taking US 6 through Price UT into the southern side of SLC. However that route does require climbing a low pass "Soldier Summit". You could also continue on to US 50 and take that to I-15, then north into SLC. Staying on I-70 to I-15 will put you quite a distance south on I-15.

If you have time and want to see some of Colorado's really good mountain scenery, I'd do I-70. If you just want to get from Golden to SLC, then I-25 & I-80 will be the best choice.

[rvduo]

Thanks.