Accessing I-70 from I-80

It's been a long time since I've posted, and unfortunately longer since I've done a long road trip. That's about to change, as I'll be driving from Oakland, CA to Long Island during the first or second week in March.

I'm obviously going to take I-80 on through Nevada and into Utah. From there, I'm considering taking a southern dip on I-15 and hooking up with I-70. I figure it's a more scenic route, and I'm even familiar with sections of it.

My question is this, and I ask the editor, other frequent travelers, and perhaps even those local to the specified areas... Is I-15 a risky road to take in early March? And how about the access roads to I-10 along the way...does anyone know about Hwy 28 south of Nephi? Hwy 50 between Scipio and Salina? I can get a sense of the temperature for that time of year, but is it particularly snowy?

Also, I know my straightest shot is right across 80, and as tempted as I am to just do that whole stretch of highway, I'm thinking that the drive on 70 will generally be more enjoyable. Does anyone disagree? I'll do some searches on this site for more info, but suggestions for particuarly scenic areas within a stones throw of the highway are also much appreciated.


AB

[Mark Sedenquist]

AB,

Great to see you back on this board!

Actually from your neck of the woods, you could depart I-80 at Sacramento and take US-50 over the pass and skirt Lake Tahoe and just keep going all the way over to I-70. I almost never turn down the opportunity to drive through the Colorado Rockies, no matter the season. Yes, you can hit snow, but you could hit snow on any of the other routes as well.

If you do the I-80 route and connect with I-15, I would use the "locals" short-cut to I-70. At Spanish Forks take US-6 through Price and down to the intersection of I-70 just west of Green River. CARRY CHAINS and know how to use them. Very scenic drive -- the pass is alittle iffy in the Winter, and I am not sure about the Spring, but it cuts off about two hours from the normal route.

Glad to see you back! Hope you can get us some photos along the way.

Mark

Will I need chains on the Interstates?

What about US-50?


I'd probably opt against the US-6 idea for this season, and hit it on my way back to Cali this summer. (My move is most likely going to be temporary.) But if US-50 is kept well, I'd surely consider taking it out of Sacramento.


AB

[Mark Sedenquist]

This has been a very unusual year for weather and accumulations of snowfall, so it is hard to know for sure, but snow is possible on almost any section of your journey in March.

Yes, snow chains are required for travel on the Interstates when conditions warrant.

If the snowpack is heavy and it is getting warm in March, avalanches are always a concern on the western slope of the Sierras for US-50. But almost all states are using the 511 system for highway monitoring and you can obtain very accurate road condition information that is current for the last 30 minutes along most of your route. Not much need to worry about it now.

Mark

Mark,

Is there a particular good/accurate source of road condition info for Hwys 6 and 191?

I'm hoping for a warm spell, but just curious if there's good way to get solid info in the days and hours beforehand.
I'm planning to hook up with I-70 and get a second look at Arches National Park on my way out of the state.


Thanks.


AB

[Robert Schaller]

Try these links.

<a href = "http://www.dot.state.ut.us/public/road_conditions.htm">Utah Highway Conditions<a/>

<a href = "http://www.beaverbear.com/hwycond.html">Links to ALL states road conditions reports<a/>

By the way, you can also reach these from the <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/mainmenu.htm">"Site Map"<a/> page here on RTA! See "On The Road," then click on "Traffic and Weather."

Once you are on the road -- you know about 511, right? Nice to see you back on the forum, Mr. AB. Bob

Thanks for those links, Bob. They're exactly what I was looking for. They should work on getting a greater Google rating.

I know of 511 as it pertains to the Bay Area (www.511.org), but I'm only aware of something like it for other US roadways. Educate me please.


AB

[Robert Schaller]

Utah is one of the states that has implemented a 511 system -- you can call 511 from the road and get up-to-date road conditions from the state's DOT. I haven't used this system anywhere except Arizona -- but Utah's DOT website says they have it. That way you can keep current on what's happening! It all sounds very useful and promising to me!

Bob

[Bogart]

Hwy 50 across the Sierras is well-maintained. And it is a more direct route.

Thanks, Kevin. I'm going to opt for I-80 until Salt Lake City because I have not yet seen the Bonneville Salt Flats and I'm determined not to miss it this time. I must have passed north or south of it at least a half-dozen times in the last four or five years.


AB