I-70 travel recs...

[Wile E Coyote]

The may want to visit family in Denver area. We are in western AZ, and would like to hit 70 across Utah/CO. My question would be any weather related travel problems in a fwd minivan ( no cruisa due to crappy fuel mileage) around mid-March next year. She's not made the trip since her childhood, and she's a desert gal with rare winter driving experiences at best.

I'd be inclined to take 40 east then head north, but prefer the northern route for the scenic value.
Any input is appreciated.

 

[PPFJ60]

Mid March in Colorado can be a blizzard and a beautiful sunny spring day. I said "and" because it can be both in the same day. No way to predict what you will see next March on your trip. Generally if you use common sense (not sure why it's called that because some times it's not all that common) the worst it gets is that you may have to spend a couple of hours or maybe the night on in a hotel before the pass gets plowed out. Tire chains would be highly recommended for traveling in the mountains of Colorado from November to the end of April.

 

[Man Jerk]

This is always the chance for bad weather in the mountains that time of year.

Keep en eye on weather reports. Make sure you have an emergency kit with you. Food, Water, warm clothes etc.

That being said, this is an interstate. You really should have no problem. 1000's of people drive this road every day in any kind of weather.

 

[black95]

I got caught in a blizzard and damn near white out storm on I-70 on march 7,2009. I know that date for sure because it was my anniversary and we were coming home from Aspen when the 4runner engine choked on its air cleaner stud and died.

There were a lot of vehicles on the road that day, including mini vans, and everyone seemed to be fine if they were going a reasonable speed. That being said, right before the Eisenhower tunnel, I watched a younger guy in a honda accord about ten cars in front of me lose it and pinball front guardrail to guardrail for what seemed like forever.

The weather people don't even know when this stuff is gonna happen around here, but like manjerk said, just keep and eye on it for a week or two and you can get a feel for what might happen. Chains are a great idea, and cables might be even better, I hear you can go a little faster and smoother with them. Good luck!

 

[Wile E Coyote]

I'll have to teach her how to apply chains/cables and how to handle a fwd in the nasty over this coming winter locally. She was pretty spooked last winter, and we only had 6" with ice about 2 times that year. That's assuming I don't end up taking her.

Crystal ball notwithstanding, is 70 ever subject to weather related closures, or chains-only travel restrictions?

 

[Man Jerk]

Crystal ball notwithstanding, is 70 ever subject to weather related closures, or chains-only travel restrictions?

absolutely.

To tell you the truth I don't know if there is ever requirement for chains on passenger vehicles.

But yes, the road is subject to closure if the weather is bad, which happens many times a year.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Thanks for the input, mucho appreciated.