Route to Salt Lake City

[Kreimer]

Have any of y’all taken your classic on I-80 through Nebraska to Salt Lake City? Have to go there for work and we are debating taking the motorhome.

[Kota]

Driven I-80 many times. No significant passes on that stretch but long grades. Can be windy and always from the wrong direction regardless of which way you are going. High desert across Wyoming spelled hot and dry with a high density altitude. They say it has its own type of beauty but I have yet to find it.

I can give you some ideas of where to camp if you tell me about where you will be stopping.

[Kreimer]

Thanks for the response Kota! It looks like a super boring drive until the mountains. Gonna be making the trip in a few weeks I think. Put it off for next week. I have decided to take her out locally since replacing the axle just to build my confidence it is all adjusted correctly before taking on a two week roadtrip...

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by Kreimer

Thanks for the response Kota! It looks like a super boring drive until the mountains. Gonna be making the trip in a few weeks I think. Put it off for next week. I have decided to take her out locally since replacing the axle just to build my confidence it is all adjusted correctly before taking on a two week roadtrip...

Good idea on the shake down. Things will still fail, but at least you checked it out first. Ask me how I know.

Oh, and if you decide to exit I-80 and take a scenic route, get ready for the possibility of fantastic views but twisty switch-backs, and steep grades. We just drove through Salt Lake City on our way to Yellowstone, then across northern Wyoming in May. Not sorry we did the scenic drives, but they were eye opening for a flat-landers like us and all I wanted to handle in my little 20' Avenue Suite (which actually handled them quite well).

If the scenic routes in southern Wyoming off I-80 are anything like the ones up north, just be prepared to add time to your route if you get off the interstate.

[pappy19]

Tires, tires, tires. I highly recommend Michelin Defender. I don't trust any ST tired, only LT in E rated.

Where are you starting your trip from? I-70 isn't a bad trip either.

[Waipio Rim]

Originally Posted by pappy19

Where are you starting your trip from? I-70 isn't a bad trip either.

Hold the phone, we are talking about an '80's motorhome. We flew into Denver to buy our 310 and, not knowing any better, took I-70 west. It's been years, but I still remember being inside the Eisenhower Tunnel at 11,000+ feet in first gear praying that we would make it to the summit.

There is some spectacular scenery on the other side of the pass including all of southern Utah, but only go I-70 if you are absolutely confident in every piece of your drivetrain.

[PatLee]

I just did I-80 last week when driving from DC to the Salem, OR rally. I think it's a beautiful drive, especially through Wyoming. I highly recommend you plan a stop at the Cabela's in Sydney, NE - wow!!! You can see it from the road - their wildlife dioramas were just spectacular and I picked up a really nifty camping chair.

[AFTER TAXES]

whats the best way to go leaving FL. going to salt lake ?

[Kota]

Originally Posted by Waipio Rim

but only go I-70 if you are absolutely confident in every piece of your drivetrain.

Especially the brakes and know the limitations and techniques for descending very long grades.

You won’t find anything too challenging on 80. At least not on that stretch.

[james.mileur]

Originally Posted by Kota

You won’t find anything too challenging on 80. At least not on that stretch.

When passing Park City UT heading west to Parley's Canyon, I-80 turns into a three lane 65-75 mph slalom course with double-tanker trucks heading to the refineries. Then there's the million commuters returning to SLC from Park City playing/working. Can stay in right lane and go slower with the big guys, but must move to center lane at the bottom or will get sucked right to south SLC on I-215.

All new pavement past Foothills exit heading west on I-80, used to be a real washboard.

I can highly recommend the SLC KOA on South Temple Road. Great location and value.