Driving from SoCal to Denver...

[DurocShark]

I've been going over maps and trying to decide the best route to drive my 1973 VW Bus from Anaheim, CA to Denver, CO.

Looking at maps, it seems that the 40 to the 25 is the flattest. But when I get to Santa Fe the altitude is 6567 feet! Albuquerque is 5500 feet. But apparently it's a gentler grade than the 70 which goes through nearly vertical passes.

Comments?

 

[Amused]

I'd say you should probably head northeast.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Good luck. I hope your VW bus is up to the task. It would suck to break down out there.

 

[nakedfrog]

Yeah, bring plenty of spares and take it easy... although I'm sure if you posted a thread on thesamba as well, they've already given you that advice
Make sure to bring some air-cooled rescue society numbers too.

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Make sure to bring some air-cooled rescue society numbers too.

Yeah, I posted on The Samba and the Type 2 list.

I'll have 2 copies of the ARS list with me. One on paper, one on my lappy.

 

[nakedfrog]

Since you'll be living there now, if you're ever in the Ft Collins area, I suggest swinging by Al Bugs Me. All air-cooled VW "dealership," but Al is a pretty cool guy too. Last time I was there, he had a VW Puma in really good shape, it was pretty cool just to see one. The woman told me that if we hadn't JUST bought a car, she would have let me have it.

 

[Landstandr]

You will definitely be happier coming up I-25 from Albuquerque to Denver instead of taking I-70. There is only one real pass (Raton) between Abq and Denver and it is less than 8,000 feet. I-70 through Colorado has more traffic and is the frequent local news spot showing rock slides, jacknifed semi-trailers, snow closed roads, etc..

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: Landstandr
You will definitely be happier coming up I-25 from Albuquerque to Denver instead of taking I-70. There is only one real pass (Raton) between Abq and Denver and it is less than 8,000 feet. I-70 through Colorado has more traffic and is the frequent local news spot showing rock slides, jacknifed semi-trailers, snow closed roads, etc..

Yeah, that's what I've heard too. That and apparently the Utah PoPos think a VW Bus = Druggie.

Sigh.

 

[EagleKeeper]

You should have no problems getting to NM via I-40

Flagstaff is a gentle climb, gets a little rough coming out of Kingman, AZ. You may have to get out and push.



Taking I-15 to I-70 will be tough in two spots. Passes at Vail & Keystone.
Keystone will be rough.

Both could be closed with little warning.

 

[ElFenix]

hint: when you leave southern california, stop calling freeways 'the' and the locals won't look at you funny

 

[ggavinmoss]

Why not just fly?

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: ggavinmoss
Why not just fly?

Then who's gonna take care of my bus and gently get it to Colorado?

Thanks for the tips all. That's pretty much the consensus of everybody I've heard from.

 

[OutHouse]

There is nothing wrong with taking I-70 to denver. You will go through the heart of the Rocky Mountains and is a very beautiful drive, and a shorter route than coming up through NM.

 

[Stark]

Originally posted by: Citrix
There is nothing wrong with taking I-70 to denver. You will go through the heart of the Rocky Mountains and is a very beautiful drive, and a shorter route than coming up through NM.

that's greatest section of highway i've ever driven (from driving coast to coast twice).

personally, i'd have a car transport put the VW on a truck and fly (or rent a car that i know will make it and drive).

or better yet, sell the bus on craigslist and get a vehicle that won't be completely worthless all winter, then drive it out!

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: Stark
or better yet, sell the bus on craigslist and get a vehicle that won't be completely worthless all winter, then drive it out!

Sacrilege!

My bus will handle snow better than 90% of the vehicles on the road, including FWD cars.

http://www.rustybus.com

 

[Stark]

congrats on getting out of socal. i moved from HB out to San Bernardhellhole 6 years ago and bought a house. Next summer my new house in beautiful South Jordan, Utah will be ready to move into.

I grew up in the OC and wouldn't mind living there again if it was possible to do without selling a kidney and firstborn child. Since it's not an option these days, I'm headed east where the mountains are visible all summer long. We looked at Loveland, CO but it was just a little too far from the relatives in SoCal. We can make it back from Utah in 1 day; CO is a 2 day trip.

the 70 is a great drive, but i'd watch out for the crazy big rig drivers in the Utah hills on the way out to CO... they ride the hills like surfers ride waves: 30 on the way up, 90 on the way down. I had one guy pass me 4 times in my little golf with the cruise set at 80.