Thanks for the input. Looks like a toss up driving the I-70 routing vs. the southern approach via Wichita. I might want to spare myself some interstate traffic. I also imagine the I-70 has more tractor trailers (and more gas stations).

Yes, I did comment on the cited thread, AZBuck, with regards to weather, fires and smoke. The timing of the question appeared to do more with the fires than the weather for this time of year. Even though fires usually won't threaten the interstates sometimes they do. More concerning is the high concentration of smoke. Sections of I-95 in FL have been known to shut down because of fires and/or smoke.