Interstate 80 vs Interstate 70

Streets & Trips picked a route using 70 to 470 around Denver to 25, then 287 at Fort Collins to Laramie and 80 to Reno. Total of 1520.7 miles with a driving time of 2 days, 5 hours, and 35 minutes figured at driving 8 hours per day. I have it set for fastest route and left it at the default setting of driving the speed limit. For my driving style I usually set it for 10% over the speed limit. I have traveled part of that route in reverse from Spokane. We picked up 80 in Cheyenne and came down to 70. At that time it was a good drive, didn't see many cops and the only time traffic got a little heavy was around Denver, but it wasn't anything to get excited over.

I've been both ways several times, and I would recommend taking I-70 West as far as Salina, then North on US 81 to I-80. US 81 is a nice 4 lane highway. I think that the plains scenery is a notch better in Nebraska than in Kansas and eastern Colorado. The interstate rest stops in Nebraska were also very clean and well maintained. You can always return the other way from Laramie through Fort Collins to I-25 to I-70. The drive from Laramie to Fort Collins on US 287 is very scenic. Depending on the time of day, I-25 from Fort Collins to the Denver area can be kamikaze traffic.

Larry

This is neat to get an idea of what you will be seeing on the trip.

Go to Google maps click on the Get directions Button on the left panel, enter departure and destination and let Google built a route, drag the highlighted route to the way you want to go and once Google finishes building the route again click on the 3D button and sit back and watch as the country flies by as Google simulates driving there.

Hey, thanks! That's a terrific idea. Never thought about going north on US 81 to I-80. I think I'll stay away from Denver area since you mentioned that the traffic can be a "kamikaze". And also the tip about the plains scenery in Nebraska. It's our first trip and have no idea what scenery to expect. All I know is plains scenery can be monotonous and boring. I'm going to rely on the Garmin to find rest stops and eateries.

I just tried your suggestion about the 3D button. Really cool! I've used Google maps before to print out directions and never knew about the 3D button...thanks flaco.

I believe for the 3D function to work while viewing a route simulation in the Google Maps you need to have Google Earth installed in the PC

Yes, I figured that out and installed it and watched the "fly-by" from Kansas to Nevada. Thank you very very much for the tip!!

It has been 15 years since I drove I-80, so my comments may be out of date. However, I recall being favorably impressed by the rest stops along I-80. I also thought that east of Denver the scenery was more interesting along I-80 than along I-70, which I have driven on several occasions.

With best wishes,
- Tom -

I-70 is a prettier drive than I-80.

I-70 is prettier only between I-35 and I-15.

@Box Car Did you mean to say between I-25 and I-15 (in the mountains)?. I-70's just prairie between I-35 and I-25. If not, prairie is nice too (grin).
Larry

We found I-70 between Topeka and I-25 extremely boring. S.O. says she doesn't want to do that again

I did I-80 about 20 years ago and you know what the 2nd thing that goes with age. Honestly, don't remember too much except the odor going by the cattle feed lots !

I'm willing to go a little further west and state from I-29 to I-15. As they state in the Denver area "You know why they have all those fences up along the Wyoming border don't you? It's to keep the nothing out."

It is 1515 mi;es forrom Ks to reno using I 80 and not going to Denver but Neb and across.
It is 1538 mines from Ks to reno going to denver the up to cheyene then over to reno/ at lot of open road and some good mountain passes to climb.

It is 1538 mines from Ks to reno by going to Denver then I -70 to I I-15 then up to Slc and out I-80 to Reno.

The canyon in Co. is winding and some two lanes.
The streach of I -80 from Neb to Utah is most open ground with hills and plains on a 4 lane hwy. It is kind of 6 of one and a Half dozen the other. Most of all it depends on if you are in a car or motorhome/ truck wirh trailer. Good traveling

do the fly by drive. It used to. I don't know what happen. I have the 3D activated.

What browser are you using? I have a heck of a time using fly by drive with Firefox but it works great with Chrome 10.

Agree with t923347 I use IE and it works fine as long as I don't zoom the browser screen.

Am I too late to point out that 470 is a toll road? That might be a factor.

287 looks like a nice drive in a car, not so much in a heavily-loaded truck. I've only ever been there in a heavily-loaded truck..

Time-wise, in a truck, it's just about as fast to go all the way to Cheyenne and turn west, as it would be to take 287 instead.

I drove that road quite frequently & it's a good road. Just made a trip for moving purposes from Reno to Springfield,IL using I-80 which was a nice trip. Don't like I 70 from Denver to Grand Junction because I use drive a motorhome & 5th wheel too steep of a hill.

I've driven both, in the early 90's. 70 is a bit more scenic, IMHO, but bobinot is very correct, the road out of Denver westbound is VERY steep. On one of my trips, I was in an old Ford Fairmont, and I had serious doubts that I was going to make it to the top.

I did I-80 from Cheyenne and then through Nebraska. Nothing but severe boredom. Landscape was pretty flat, corn and grazing. No scenery to get excited about.

Did you consider I-70 to Rte 50 to Reno? That is about the straightest line between Manhattan and Reno.

No, it's not my tune or video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyeY0hWU28I

...that's pretty much the 80 I remember.

Driving through Nebraska reminds me of a joke I heard many years ago.
General Custer and his 7th Cavalry crossed the plains and reached the Little Big Horn.
He sent forward a scout to see what was ahead. The scout quickly returned and said "General I have good news and bad news" Custer said "Give me the bad news"
The scout said "We will be massacred by over 5000 Indians soon"
"So what is the good news" asked Custer.
"We will not have to cross Nebraska again" replied the scout.

That sounds cool!

I would take I-70 any day over I-80. I-80 is usually faster, but has more truck traffic. I monitor CB and Ham radio frequencies. It is amazing how much stress and stupidity goes on within those vehicles. I-80 is faster, if you hit it just right. I usually don't.