Denver -> Baltimore. I70 or I80?

[swifty]

We're doing a trip from Denver -> Baltimore next Sunday (moving in a 17 foot truck etc). Which road are we most likely to encounter less weather problems on. The I-70 or I-80? Also I know the 80 has a bunch of tolls. Does the 70 also?

Also, if we want to split it into 500 miles or so chunks, what places would we stop along the I70?

Thanks!

[Mark Sedenquist]

We're doing a trip from Denver -> Baltimore next Sunday (moving in a 17 foot truck etc). Which road are we most likely to encounter less weather problems on. The I-70 or I-80?

One of the easiest ways to answer this is to look at the color-coded interstate highway map presented by Weather.com. But if you are starting in Denver, the shortest route is I-76 to I-80 and then back on I-76 to Baltimore. The only tolls are on the turnpike -- and believe me, they are worth the expense.

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Mark

[Midwest Michael]

Personally, if the weather's good both routes, I'd take I-70. Not only do you avoid most of the tolls (there is a small toll stretch in Kansas), you also avoid the perpetual traffic jam that you get on I-80 near Chicago. The mileage on I-70 also appears to be very close, if not a bit shorter than taking I-80.

If you're like me and try to avoid toll routes, I'd also suggest cutting south on I-79 in Western PA, and then taking I-68 across the north edge of Maryland and into Baltimore. That will save you from having to take the PA turnpike.

In terms of stops on I-70, you could probably look at Kansas City, Terre Haute Indiana, and Wheeling, WV as ballpark areas for overnight stops. However, if you've never driven a moving van before, it can be both slower and more tiring than driving a normal car, so I would keep my travel plans as flexable as possible.