Thanks for the replies..1 week to go!
Thank you both.
I learned winter driving in the blizzards of WI, and never once put tire chains on, never had a 4WD, nothing....
HOWEVER.......
I am not about to take that chance at altitude. I want all systems go in case of a blizzard there. Thanks for the advice..I have got chains for the back tires (car is FWD) and I will definitely be practicing to confirm my ability to do so. Over the month of December I was road tripping with my brother from San Diego to Portland OR to Reno, Vegas and back to Diego.
We crossed the Donner Pass (the history is intimidating enough) in a wretched blizzard, at night, and somehow it was pea soup fog too. Weird weather. After seeing the cars lined up for miles to have the "Chain Guys" (who apparently just wait up there for bad weather?) stop everyone and check for chains or4WD required, I was convinced we were going to careen off the mountain in my brother's Ford Bronco.
I do not want a repeat of that, esp driving solo.
I have chains, flares, 2 qts oil, antifreeze, Fix-a-Flat, blankets, radiator sealant,spare donut tire, first aid kit, cell phone and credit card.
I think I am going to take 90 across SD, hook up thru WY and MT, and drop down into Yellowstone. Only the North entrance is open, and I am staying waaaaaaay clear of 212 and ALT14.
I am giving myself 3 days, which comes out to about 10 hours a day, give or take. Now I am starting to think I should leave on Thursday, just to be sure.
Next year I am not going to start work until summer- this is he** on the nerves......
Chains on the drive wheels!
Expert advice can obtained from the Highwayman -- but you need to put the chains on the drive axle!!!! In your case, that means the front wheels. Chains are a traction-control device and that is only helpful if they are supplied by power.
Not to cast aspersions on Wisconsin blizzards, but usually a storm in Wisconsin will dump 4-6" in a day and and storms in the Rockies can reach that level per hour. Plus, it is cold enough that it rarely thaws, unlike the melt/freeze conditions of the Rockies which can lead to really good layers of black ice.
Uncle Bob has a new article about Winter Weather driving tips that we will be publishing on Monday. Stay tuned.
Spring driving should be OK for 10 hours -- but if you can leave earlier, it will be less of a chore.
Have an adventure!
Mark
It may be Spring, but there is still now out there
Jaz,
Although Spring has officially arrived, we know that driving in snow is still a reality for many. We have just published a new guide for driving in snow and icy conditions. <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/travelplanning/Winter-Driving.htm"Click here</a> for more information.
