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Old 01-19-2011, 05:21 PM   #1
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Easiest Route Across the Rockies

Hi all,
We traveling from Wisconsin to Oregon this spring and I am wondering what's the best route with the least amount of grade and curves. We are planning on going either through Colorado or Wyoming. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
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Old 01-19-2011, 05:52 PM   #2
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best route, least extreme grades

I would recommend I80 across Wyoming, pretty boring, compared to Colorado, but a lot less grade, the high point is about 8300ft between Laramie and Cheyenne, gradual climb.

chu
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Old 01-19-2011, 05:53 PM   #3
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I 80 across Wyoming, to I-84 to Portland, and then I-5 south to Eugene (if you are headed south...to Sutton's maybe?) The first time I drove it I figured it'd be faster cutting across Oregon - but it's mostly two lanes through the very steep Cascades. Weather is also still iffy in the spring in the Cascades.

What a great drive - I'm envious!
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Old 01-19-2011, 06:01 PM   #4
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Follow up question. Got any great camping spots along I-80?
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Old 01-19-2011, 06:23 PM   #5
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Plenty of places to stay along the corridor. The only warning (with a small coach, you should not be too concerned) I've give would be "Cabbage Hill", "Emigrant Hill", "Deadman's Pass", "Meacham Summit", all the same pass on I-84 east of Pendleton, OR. It's a nasty downgrade with a great view of the west. Once you do the "drop", you'll always remember it.!
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Old 01-19-2011, 07:10 PM   #6
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I am planning on taking my wife to the Tetons for the first time. I Can't wait to see her face when she sees them for the first time.

Anyone know any good TT friendly spots near Jackson, WY?
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Old 01-19-2011, 09:04 PM   #7
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Boutdoors,
Something to think about for your return, we take Hy 2, it runs from Duluth into Seatle. Not a lot of truck traffic, nice and easy. We will be taking the Bambi to Tacoma sometime this summer.
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Old 01-19-2011, 09:19 PM   #8
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What are you towing with as I-70 is so beautiful, I would at least consider it, I love that route and it's supposed to be one of the most scenic drives in the US through the Rockies.
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Old 01-19-2011, 09:35 PM   #9
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Hi all,
We traveling from Wisconsin to Oregon this spring and I am wondering what's the best route with the least amount of grade and curves...
my preference is 80/84 and the entry into oregon along the columbia is spectacular.

the mythical northwest passage along this river/valley is 1 of the greatest drives on the planet.

and the entire route beats the crap outta anything through colo' on all counts

(traffic, scenery, camping, fuel prices, history, local people and so on...)

but define spring...

ALL of the northern routes have grade and a lot of elevation changes

and big winds which may be worse than curves.

and IF this trip is anytime before MAY, all the northern routes may have weather issues.

so the best early spring route wound be i35 south to i10 west then i5 north into duck land.



cheers
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Old 01-19-2011, 09:54 PM   #10
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What are you towing with as I-70 is so beautiful, I would at least consider it, I love that route and it's supposed to be one of the most scenic drives in the US through the Rockies.
Agree, you're not towing a 34 tri-axle but are at the opposite end of the spectrum. However we don't know what your tow vehicle is. If it's a half ton truck or equivalent you'll be fine for about anything.

Warning: go slower on the downhills. Serious accidents occur when the trailer starts swaying or pushing the tow vehicle. I've been forced by heavy truck traffic to do downhills at 70 mph on the PA turnpike and west of Charlottesville on I-64. No problems... BUT if I'd blown a tire or the trailer had gotten hit with a strong crosswind? Now I try to traverse those stretches at the crack of dawn while the truckers are having breakfast. On any road where there's a warning about a long downgrade be super alert. No radio, no cell phone, no talking no distractions. If you're going 45mph and your trailer starts to sway, a quick hand on the brake controller lever to tap the trailer brakes will pull you back in line. At 70 mph, if something goes wrong, you might not be able to react fast enough.

Paula
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Old 01-19-2011, 10:07 PM   #11
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What's this everybody heading west? Did somebody leave the gate open on east gate?
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Old 01-20-2011, 07:55 AM   #12
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What are you towing with
I tow with a V6 Toyota Tacoma. Pulled all this year throughout Wisconsin with no issues. She pulled like a dream, not sure if that is due to the truck or the trailer. Not a lot of grade in Wisconsin though.

Quote:
but define spring...
We are leaving at the beginning of the last week of April and returning the end of the first week in May.
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Old 01-20-2011, 07:57 AM   #13
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What's this everybody heading west? Did somebody leave the gate open on east gate?
No one left the gate open, we just have the keys. We are originally from Oregon and want to see the homeland again.
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Old 01-20-2011, 08:33 AM   #14
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Hi all,
We traveling from Wisconsin to Oregon this spring and I am wondering what's the best route with the least amount of grade and curves. We are planning on going either through Colorado or Wyoming. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
I 80. Takes you through southern Wyoming and into Salt Lake City. Then you can pick up I 84 and branch off on which ever US or interstate route gets you to the part of Oregon you wish. If you do not go to Portland you will have to cross on last pass in Oregon.
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Old 01-20-2011, 09:02 AM   #15
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I80/84 is the way to go, and if you want to go around Cabbage (not a bad idea this time of year - chains may be required) you can take US20 through Bend over to Albany. The downhill section of the pass west of Bend is somewhat serpentine but it's not too bad in a semi and you should be just fine pulling your AS.
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Old 01-20-2011, 09:14 AM   #16
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Road West

We, in 1998, have done the I 80 and up I 84 and found it a senic route with some long grade, but enjoyable.
However in 2009 we crossed mid America on I 80 right through to Reno as the weather was changing in late October.
We then went north/west out of Reno to Mount Shasta, (395/44/89) and found that route to be a very comfortable drive with little grade that I can remember. Little traffic at that time, and the road (2 lane) was very good.
Dave
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Old 01-20-2011, 09:18 AM   #17
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Oregon travels

We currently live in "Duckland" near Portland and echo 2air's comments. We also lived in Wyo for a long time. I80 can be a beast in winter but also presents a problem with winds any time of the year. But after all.... we have streamers, no? Just check the local weather for winds etc.

I84 through the "Gorge" is spectacular, especially in the spring. Don't forget to stop at Multnomah Falls with the spring runoff--impressive! There can be significant windage in the gorge but again........! (We rented a class A a long time ago and drove it through the Gorge.....wouldn't do that again! )

There is a new AS dealer in the Portland area......Airstream Adventures NW.. great people!
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Old 01-20-2011, 10:01 AM   #18
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(We rented a class A a long time ago and drove it through the Gorge.....wouldn't do that again! )
We've been through the gorge hundreds of times (in ice and snow,too) and not been bothered at all. But of course, we have a........
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Old 01-22-2011, 01:46 PM   #19
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Either way - you all should have a fun trip!!!!
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Old 01-24-2011, 10:08 AM   #20
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I am planning on taking my wife to the Tetons for the first time. I Can't wait to see her face when she sees them for the first time.

Anyone know any good TT friendly spots near Jackson, WY?
We always stay at one of the campgrounds in Grand Teton NP. There is a KOA just south of Jackson on the Snake River. srpinformation@wyoming.com

In Jackson is "The Virginian RV Resort".
info@virginianlodge.com www.virginianlodge.com
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