Interstates and dirt roads; yes,no or maybe

[Airlock]

What do you all think/know about an Interstate 24 GT driving on dirt roads? A graded dirt/gravel road with washboard sections here and there specifically. Hard packed, no sand, gulleys or ruts. Mine is a 2016 model with stock suspension. 2 miles in and 2 miles back out.

Gary

[Lily&Me]

I don’t have a GT, but have done many, many dirt roads, some with washboard sections.

I’ve done 18-20 miles each way, so 2 miles in and out is a piece of cake. ☺️

Drive slowly if the road is unevenly graded, which often happens.

I don’t see why you would have any problem.

Maggie

[WeekendBob]

Originally Posted by Airlock

What do you all think/know about an Interstate 24 GT driving on dirt roads? A graded dirt/gravel road with washboard sections here and there specifically. Hard packed, no sand, gulleys or ruts. Mine is a 2016 model with stock suspension. 2 miles in and 2 miles back out.

Gary

Yep, shouldn't be an issue. I took a "scenic" route out of Big Bend National Park called "Old Maverick Road (unpaved)." It was 10 miles. Probably the only annoying thing was the sound of the tires throwing rocks up under the van.

[JimMartin]

You should be fine. The road to our home is a half mile of gravel, no pavement. I take our I19 on it all the time. Never had a problem.


Jim

[sheakev]

We have a 24 with air suspension, had the original tires when we drove from Wisconsin to Coldfoot, Alaska well within the the Arctic Circle (250 miles North of Fairbanks). The Dalton Highway is gravel most of the way.

We also drove the Denali Highway. Mostly gravel. It was about 175 miles that we took really quite slow since it hadn't been graded yet from the previous Winter.

Trick is to go at the right speed, start with good tires and enjoy the scenery.

[swilly43]

We had a 2016 Ext with stock suspension. We regularly traveled dirt roads and drove it onto the beach in CA on multiple occasions. It can be done safely just be careful with gross uneven sections and dips that may scrape the overhang or impact the black drain Y section. On sand, air down. See my pic under my name.

[Lotus54]

I have an older one (2006) that is quite different. But I drive dirt roads all the time. I do not like washboard, and certainly avoid deep mud (or sand). But just regular dirt roads should be just fine. Of course, it does get everything dirty

[coasttocoast]

Shake it, but don’t break it. Go slow over the bumps.

[Airlock]

Thanks everyone for your replies and insights. Now I'm prepped and ready to travel down the dirt roads wherever they may be!
Gary

[Royce]

I get way off the beaten path with my "77" Minuet. Go slow and pick your path carefully.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Two basic problems:

1) It rained and you now have an ocean of mud. If you can wait things out, maybe not a problem

2) The ruts got deeper since the last visit. You only have just so much ground clearance. At some point that can become a problem. If it's "your road" taking care of those is do-able with the right gear. If this is a public road ... maybe not so much.

How big a deal is either one? Most of the time, probably not an issue. How lucky do you feel?

Bob

[drbrick]

We have Boondocked for years on British Columbia "Logging Roads" that would make your hair stand on end. The KEY advise is SLOW DOWN.....

[rolitsky]

LOL, 4 miles round trip sounds like a super-highway. We did 1000 mies roundtrip to the Arctic Ocean in a 2016 GT with standard (but brand new) suspension.The road was dirt, gravel, rocks and washboard. Just take it easy and have fun!

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by rolitsky

LOL, 4 miles round trip sounds like a super-highway. We did 1000 mies roundtrip to the Arctic Ocean in a 2016 GT with standard (but brand new) suspension.The road was dirt, gravel, rocks and washboard. Just take it easy and have fun!

Hi

Even on a specific trip like that, what works one day may well not work the next day. Weather changes, road conditions change. Being flexible in your plans is a really good idea (even if I don't always practice what I preach ....). Doing that drive to the Arctic is a bit less fun in heavy fog .... I have empirical data on this. Avoiding various "issues" is a lot easier when you can *see* them.

Yes indeed, slow down. Once you have slowed down, slow down some more . Also, have everything in the vehicle well tied down.

When that giant truck flashes up in your rear view mirror. Get over to let him by. Don't try to outrun him. Also don't plan on him being happy if you slow him down.

Fun !!!

Bob

[Bigde]

Originally Posted by drbrick

We have Boondocked for years on British Columbia "Logging Roads" that would make your hair stand on end. The KEY advise is SLOW DOWN.....

My wife and I have mostly boon docked over the last 35 plus years and many trips of 50 miles or more over old forest roads to pristine mountain fishing lakes.
Some times we would meet hikers at our campsite who wondered how the heck we got there. Never got stuck or broken down! Although we had some pretty close calls. Good judgement and slow and sure helps.
Bigde

[Hilljeman]

The GPS took me down 2 mile washboard road in Colorado close to Spinney Reservoir with my 2022 GT 25FBT last summer. Both A/C fans bolts loosened and came loose, the microwave came loose from it’s frame, the bathroom cabinet door came open and mirror broke and the hinge to the bathroom door screws pulled out. Later I had to have both Dexter axles replaced but I’m not sure if the bad road was cause. I thought I was going slow enough at the time.

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by Airlock

What do you all think/know about an Interstate 24 GT driving on dirt roads? A graded dirt/gravel road with washboard sections here and there specifically. Hard packed, no sand, gulleys or ruts. Mine is a 2016 model with stock suspension. 2 miles in and 2 miles back out.

Gary

Graded gravel roads with a proper base that are maintained should be good with any passenger vehicle at any time of year, except maybe right after a snowstorm. I've known folks who live on county roads who drive 12 miles on gravel to get to pavement. I tend to drive about 20 mph on gravel to protect my vehicle(s); I hate the dust too.

Actual dirt roads are another story. I've really not seen those in Canada; I suppose they are be more common in dry areas in the south, but I'd imagine they become impossible to drive on during and after a rain.

[Airlock]

Hi all,

just got back from our weeklong desert trek and am pleased to report that our travel down a sort of, sometimes, kinda maintained dirt agricultural road was a success. The washboard sections were definitely jarring but everything stayed in place. Took all of your advice to heart (especially the go slow part) and that was the key.

Thanks again!

Gary

[Boxster1971]

Three of my siblings live on lakes in northern Minnesota. All require driving many miles on gravel roads to get to their homes. I've been doing it for years in my old 2013 Interstate and plan to continue doing it in my new 2024 Interstate 19 AWD.

As others have mentioned slowing down for the conditions of road is key.

[Rocinante]

Definite maybe in our 2016 AI RWD because we've seen stories showing how easily this van can get stuck. If it's a well-maintained gravel road we'll go for it though we don't enjoy the cloud of dust that climbs up the back of the van and coats our bicycles in the process. I know the dust is easily washed off with a hose at the next fresh water source, but bikes on the rack are something to keep in mind when traveling those unpaved roads.