Driving to vegas

gnicholson · 10-09-2023, 07:46 PM

This may be the wrong place for this question if so I apologize. Been thinking about going to Vegas from kc. Was wondering if some of you guys might have some experience with the best route pulling a trailer as far as rough roads etc. I70 or south on 40?

Mark Yacavone · 10-10-2023, 12:42 AM

I 70 is shorter , but I'm sure you would know that.
Plus the track is the first thing you come to when driving in on I 15.
I can't speak for I 70 /15 but I 40 from Flag to Kingman is usually terrible .They have been working on some of it this summer. US 93 to Vegas sucks too.
Now, to top it all off you'd have to pass thru much of Vegas...construction, lane closures, traffic... I'd avoid I 40 like the plague.

gnicholson · 10-10-2023, 10:07 AM

Been hearing bad things about 40. Very much appreciate the info

jmcarter · 10-10-2023, 11:21 AM

Also the consensus of the RV community to avoid 40, lots of tire/wheel damage in AZ especially. I’d also caution that 70 out of Denver can get very congested all the way up to the Eisenhower Tunnel during the weekends.

Tom O · 10-11-2023, 12:40 AM

Hills/mountains on 70, You have to cross the Rockies . 40 I think is more flat JMO. Also depends on tow vehicle.

340Cuda · 10-11-2023, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom O

Hills/mountains on 70, You have to cross the Rockies . 40 I think is more flat JMO. Also depends on tow vehicle.

You not only need to climb the Rockies you have to come down the other sides of the passes.

Good engine braking and brakes are important.

Wonderful scenery however!

sst5167 · 10-11-2023, 07:54 PM

I have made the tow many times. My rig pulls the hills through Colorado ok, but I still prefer taking the 40. What kind of rig are you pulling with. I'd say, if you think you have enough power to get up the hills, and an engine brake to go down the hill, take 70 just for the scenery. But if all you care about is an easy pull, 40 is the way to go hands down.

sst7250 · 10-12-2023, 02:38 PM

IMO I40 in NM and AZ is almost criminal in places. I have driven the route MANY times this past year and its bad. Coming from KC cutting through Kansas is nice smooth roads.
Until you get to Tucumcari and hit 40. I like taking 70 personally especially if I can plane the stretch through Denver at night. There are climbs both ways. One big one on 70 and three smaller ones across 40. Fuel prices once you get to NM are pretty high or at least were on our trip back from Indy. AS mentioned you will be hitting alot of construction through Vegas if oyu choose the 40 route.

Lenny5160_v2 · 10-12-2023, 04:06 PM

I've done it both ways. 40 is usually the plan, just because of weather issues in the mountains. Last time there were predicted snow storms along 40, which did happen. 70 was smooth sailing.

The plan was to stop in Denver for the night, but the truck stop was full so ended up driving the Rockies all through the night. I've still never actually seen them but the driving wasn't an issue.

gnicholson · 10-14-2023, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sst5167

I have made the tow many times. My rig pulls the hills through Colorado ok, but I still prefer taking the 40. What kind of rig are you pulling with. I'd say, if you think you have enough power to get up the hills, and an engine brake to go down the hill, take 70 just for the scenery. But if all you care about is an easy pull, 40 is the way to go hands down.

I have a basically stock 05 3500 duramax and a 28 ft trailer

10-09-2023, 07:46 PM	#1
gnicholson Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 101 Likes: 14 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Driving to vegas This may be the wrong place for this question if so I apologize. Been thinking about going to Vegas from kc. Was wondering if some of you guys might have some experience with the best route pulling a trailer as far as rough roads etc. I70 or south on 40?

10-10-2023, 12:42 AM	#2
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,669 Likes: 2,778 Liked 4,869 Times in 1,850 Posts	Re: Driving to vegas I 70 is shorter , but I'm sure you would know that. Plus the track is the first thing you come to when driving in on I 15. I can't speak for I 70 /15 but I 40 from Flag to Kingman is usually terrible .They have been working on some of it this summer. US 93 to Vegas sucks too. Now, to top it all off you'd have to pass thru much of Vegas...construction, lane closures, traffic... I'd avoid I 40 like the plague. __________________ Real life never quite adds up.... Jay Farrar

10-10-2023, 10:07 AM	#3
gnicholson Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 101 Likes: 14 Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Driving to vegas Been hearing bad things about 40. Very much appreciate the info

10-10-2023, 11:21 AM	#4
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,224 Likes: 2,183 Liked 2,977 Times in 914 Posts	Re: Driving to vegas Also the consensus of the RV community to avoid 40, lots of tire/wheel damage in AZ especially. I’d also caution that 70 out of Denver can get very congested all the way up to the Eisenhower Tunnel during the weekends. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

10-11-2023, 12:40 AM	#5
Tom O Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Pahrump NV Posts: 107 Likes: 353 Liked 140 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Driving to vegas Hills/mountains on 70, You have to cross the Rockies . 40 I think is more flat JMO. Also depends on tow vehicle.

10-11-2023, 07:54 PM	#7
sst5167 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 52 Likes: 17 Liked 17 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Driving to vegas I have made the tow many times. My rig pulls the hills through Colorado ok, but I still prefer taking the 40. What kind of rig are you pulling with. I'd say, if you think you have enough power to get up the hills, and an engine brake to go down the hill, take 70 just for the scenery. But if all you care about is an easy pull, 40 is the way to go hands down.

10-12-2023, 02:38 PM	#8
sst7250 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 180 Likes: 9 Liked 41 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Driving to vegas IMO I40 in NM and AZ is almost criminal in places. I have driven the route MANY times this past year and its bad. Coming from KC cutting through Kansas is nice smooth roads. Until you get to Tucumcari and hit 40. I like taking 70 personally especially if I can plane the stretch through Denver at night. There are climbs both ways. One big one on 70 and three smaller ones across 40. Fuel prices once you get to NM are pretty high or at least were on our trip back from Indy. AS mentioned you will be hitting alot of construction through Vegas if oyu choose the 40 route.

10-12-2023, 04:06 PM	#9
Lenny5160_v2 Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Inver Grove Heights, MN Posts: 144 Likes: 370 Liked 196 Times in 80 Posts	Re: Driving to vegas I've done it both ways. 40 is usually the plan, just because of weather issues in the mountains. Last time there were predicted snow storms along 40, which did happen. 70 was smooth sailing. The plan was to stop in Denver for the night, but the truck stop was full so ended up driving the Rockies all through the night. I've still never actually seen them but the driving wasn't an issue. __________________ Tony Leonard S/C & S/ST 5160