Routing from /Albuquerque NM to Stevens Point WI

[garyb1st]

Looking for the safest routes from Los Angeles to Stevens Point, Wisconsin. We'll be driving the Pace Arrow and pulling our Jeep. While we can do this in 7 or 8 days, it's possible we may need to do it in 5. That would be 5 straight days of 450 miles. I've looked at two possible ways. Leaving tomorrow 4/5/23.

I-15 and I-40 to Albuquerque then I-25 to Springer NM. From there we're not sure but need the shortest, fastest and safest route.

I've looked at US 412 and 56 to the I-70 , Kansas City KS and then I-35.

Another option I've looked at is I-40 to Tucumcari and then US 54 and 400 to I-35 just beyond Wichita KS .

For those that know these routes I'd like your thoughts.

For those that think other routes are better, let me know.

 

[HueyPilotVN]

Gary,

I 15 to I 40 to I 35.

We just did this route, but I have a couple of suggestions.

First. I 40 across Arizona is full of potholes, worse on the western
half from KIngman to slegiman.

Highway 66 runs parallel to I 40 from Kingman to Seligman and is a much better surface and very little traffic.

It is almost the same mileage.

It is a two lane road but does have a good shoulder.

Get on 66 at the east side of Kingman.

You will also enjoy the scenery and it goes thru an indian reservation.

We are stopped just north of Oklahoma city for a few days because of bad weather forecast on our way to Minneapolis.

Also the I 44 route around the western side of OK city cuts off a few miles and hooks up to I 35 north.

 

[Mountain high]

I-80 is currently closed in Wyoming across the Continental Divide west to east due to severe winter conditions. The next alternative route is I-70 and it looks like really nasty poor winter conditions per the Vail Summit webcam over the Rockies west to east. Next down alternative west to east route is I-40 and that's where all the cross country trucks are headed too.

Current I-70 webcam photo

 

[garyb1st]

Thanks Bill, Seligman is a bit longer but we're planning on spending the night at the Seligman KOA so depending on how late it is, I might try the old highway. Also, I-40 to I-35 might work. It's 100+ miles longer but it's actually just as fast and the the other routes.

 

[HueyPilotVN]

I 40 will shake your teeth out in western AZ,

At least the other part of the trip while staying on the Interstate is a four lane highway all the way across the country.

Also, on most of the route the speed limit is 75 mph .

I usually set the cruise on 65 and the V10 does not down shift much.

Mine cruises at 2200 rather than down shifting and running at 3000.

 

[garyb1st]

I know I-70 is the fastest, but weather can be a major problem. We did the two passes coming into Denver last May. We've also gone north out of Grand Junction to Wyoming. That was no fun either. And that was during the summer months.

 

[HueyPilotVN]

With all the blizzards across the north, I recommend either staying south as long as you can or watching the weather forecast closely.

 

[Mountain high]

I know I-70 is the fastest, but weather can be a major problem. We did the two passes coming into Denver last May. We've also gone north out of Grand Junction to Wyoming. That was no fun either. And that was during the summer months.

Douglas Pass to Rangely I would never recommend north out of Grand Junction. We head up through Rifle through Craig and then through Baggs Wyoming to I-80. Glenwood Canyon on I-70 has major potholes right now.

Current view of Douglas Pass, Colorado north of Grand Junction. Not shown is the 7% grade without guardrails. Ice and snow makes it even more exciting.

 

[LarsMac]

the I-40 from Albuquerque to Tucumcari, US-54 and 400 to Wichita works pretty well, then I-35 to Des Moines. When you get to KC, take 435 around the West and North side of KC.
We've done that route a couple of times.

 

[garyb1st]

the I-40 from Albuquerque to Tucumcari, US-54 and 400 to Wichita works pretty well, then I-35 to Des Moines. When you get to KC, take 435 around the West and North side of KC.
We've done that route a couple of times.

Thank you. It's good to have an option. Also depending on weather, I might want to take US 54 and 400 since I always enjoy traveling on different roads. Been on the I-40 more times than I can remember.

 

[LarsMac]

It looks like I-70 through the mountains might be in for a few days of fair weather this week.

Or, I-25 from Albuquerque through Denver, up I-76 to I-80 and across might work this week. if the weather Forecast holds.

National Weather Service

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.8535&lon=-104.6738#.ZCyuFnbMKM8

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-100.74462890624999&lat=41.10166858137433#.ZCyuWHbMKM8

 

[Mountain high]

If you're traveling right through the High Country on I-70 the weather will be fine in a few days, but if you're stopping overnight a RV from Los Angeles needs to be winterized. The nights are still too cold in the single digits Fahrenheit to 10. Plumbing will freeze.

 

[UTTransplant]

We do a big chunk of that trip a few times a year. We just stay on I-40 to I-35 to US-20. At Dubuque, IA take US-151 to Madison, WI, then I-39 to Stevens Point. It might not be the shortest in miles, but it is an easy way to travel without any hassles. We can drive many more miles a day on interstates, alternating drivers.

 

[Mr Lars]

We traveled 151 in WI this past October, teeth rattler 85% of the time.

 

[garyb1st]

Avoiding freezing temps is one of the reasons we're keeping to the south. I've never winterized the Pace and not sure what that involves. We'll be living in it so don't want to put anti freeze in the fresh water. It can get cold where we're going but forecast for next 2 weeks look OK. We've overnighted in the upper 20's and never had a problem. But then that only for a few hours before it warmed up.

 

[garyb1st]

Pam, is there something about I-35 you don't like? It's been a while but when I lived in Minnesota I did it a few times. We usually take a northern route so haven't done much below I-90 for quite a long time.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

I have family in WI and have made the ABQ to WI trip enough times to have tried every possible way. There's no real "best" way, they work plus or minus what else you might want to see and do along the way. Generally I take 40 to US54, optionally take 160 through KS, pick up 35 at Wichita, 80 east at Des Moines then 151 through to 18/Madison. All interstate - 40 - 44 - 55 - 39 - 90 may be a bit further but is a hose - no slowdowns, has easy stops, any resource you would want. Often I'll pick at the last minute based on weather.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Mountain high]

Both Williams and Flagstaff, Arizona on I-40 are much colder than forecasted this morning. 8F is too cold without heat and/or winterized. It depends on the RV. 19F was the forecasted low. This is fairly typical at high altitude with clear nights. It warms up during the day.

 

[UTTransplant]

Pam, is there something about I-35 you don't like? It's been a while but when I lived in Minnesota I did it a few times. We usually take a northern route so haven't done much below I-90 for quite a long time.

The only issue with I-35 is the toll road from the Oklahoma border to to Topeka (which is partially I-235 but faster than the I-35 section). However you can get a toll pass by mail that saves a bunch. Same pass is good in Oklahoma and most of Texas. Note that spring will always have roads in the worst condition. Winter potholes show up, and patching them is usually done only after the weather warms up. The section from OKC to Des Moines is generally in good condition. Oh, and even I-40 in Arizona was much better in late 2022 than it had been in previous years. No matter which way you go, you will encounter some bad roads, but the interstate path is at least a simple drive.

(And I realized late last night that I hadn’t mentioned the tolls, and I intended on doing it this morning.)

 

[Old_Crow]

The only issue with I-35 is the toll road from the Oklahoma border to to Topeka (which is partially I-235 but faster than the I-35 section). However you can get a toll pass by mail that saves a bunch. Same pass is good in Oklahoma and most of Texas. Note that spring will always have roads in the worst condition. Winter potholes show up, and patching them is usually done only after the weather warms up. The section from OKC to Des Moines is generally in good condition. Oh, and even I-40 in Arizona was much better in late 2022 than it had been in previous years. No matter which way you go, you will encounter some bad roads, but the interstate path is at least a simple drive.

(And I realized late last night that I hadn’t mentioned the tolls, and I intended on doing it this morning.)

I only thought I-40 was bad, then I turned south on I-17 at Flagstaff. I thought I was going to have to unload my Jeep it was that rough.