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  1. Default hauling trailer from mpls to LA--want to avoid steep grades

    I am moving from Mpls to LA and will be pulling a 10ft uhaul trailer behind my jeep cherokee, with my dog and cats in the car too!

    I've never driven this but realize there are very steep grades going out.

    I'm concerned about hauling the trailer up and down and wonder if anyone has any route suggestions. I also need to figure how many days it will take. According to Uhaul, I can only go 45mph hauling the trailer.

    Has anyone done this?!! Any help or experience on this is appreciated.
    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Western/Central Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,711

    Default Welcome!

    Welcome to the RoadTrip America Forum!

    I would suggest taking the Interstates out there - these roads were designed to avoid extremely steep grades and would offer you the most direct, quickest route you could hope to find. There's a reason the long haul trucks don't take the US routes or county roads when they have the option.

    Another plus for this type of trip would be that the roads will be straighter and you will most likely find help should you need it on the Interstate rather than on the county roads.

  3. Default

    unfortunately i have no advice for you - i am actually about to do almost the same thing from Ma to San Diego this monday with an 8 ft trailer from uhaul and a cat... also am having the same concerns, i want to see the west, but i do not want the trailer to pull me off a cliff :)

    if you have gotten any other suggestions i would love to hear!

    best of luck to you and happy travels!

    bridgette

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Green County, Wisconsin
    Posts
    13,830

    Default I-80

    Tim's advise about sticking to the interstates is sound, and even the steepest of the interstates shouldn't be all that steep or difficult to drive.

    That said, it sounds like I-80 to I-15 would probably be your best bet to avoid going over the heart of the Rockies. I-40 would be another decent option.

    None of the routes will totally avoid mountains, but if you stick to the Interstates, you really shouldn't have any problems.

  5. Default MN to LA - how's this itinerary?

    This is a great forum. I'm moving this week from Minnesota to LA pulling a Uhaul with dog and 2 cats- never traveled this part of the country.

    Planning to go from Canadian border through Minnesota to Des Moines IA first night, Des Moines to North Platte NE for second night, North Platte to Rock Springs WY third night, Rock Springs to St. George UT final night, then St. George UT to Los Angeles on the last day.

    Does this sound real? Safe? I80 to 15.

    Any comments appreciated- and thanks for answers to my previous post.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 1998
    Location
    Las Vegas, Nevada
    Posts
    12,996

    Default I thought you were starting in Minneapolis?

    Quote Originally Posted by skyedog View Post
    Planning to go from Canadian border through Minnesota to Des Moines IA first night,
    I thought you were starting in Minneapolis? If so, that first day is only ~ 245 miles (sort of a short day)
    Des Moines to North Platte NE for second night,
    This is another relatively short day at 412 miles.
    North Platte to Rock Springs WY third night
    another sub-500 mile day at ~475.
    Rock Springs to St. George UT final night,
    458 miles
    then St. George UT to Los Angeles on the last day.
    ~400 miles. Yes, this seems to be a real reasonable pace. You could probably cut out one day, if you felt like pushing a little bit on day 1 & 2.

    Mark

  7. Default starting in grand marais

    hi- thank you- i'm starting in grand marais, mn- i just said mpls so folks could identify it easier.

    anyway- i made it slower than i thought because of the trailer factor- s/one else said i'll average only 50mph---hard to believe though.

    thanks very much.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 1998
    Location
    Las Vegas, Nevada
    Posts
    12,996

    Default Speed limit for the trailer

    Quote Originally Posted by skyedog View Post
    anyway- i made it slower than i thought because of the trailer factor- s/one else said i'll average only 50mph---hard to believe though.
    55 mph is the posted speed limit for the trailer in most of places you will be driving and so 50 mph is a good estimate when you factor in walks for the dogs and etc.

    Mark

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