I am planning a trip from the Chicago area to Durango to visit some family that lives out there.
I am looking for a somewhat fast route, but as you can see from the map below, I’ve traveled on a fair bit of what might be considered the obvious route, which is essentially I-80 to I-76 to I-25 to US-160. I would like to minimize that as much as feasible, but I don’t know what would be the best way to do so.
Additionally, on the way home from this trip, what I intend to do is to clinch I-35, and so I would appreciate any suggestions on how to get from Durango to Laredo, or from Duluth through Wisconsin back to Chicago, ideally without using I-35 so as to save it for the clinch.
Complicating matters somewhat is that I would prefer to car camp on the non I-35 parts, and so, it would be helpful to be close to state parks or state and national forests and BLM land and so on, although that’s not strictly necessary.
(https://i.imgur.com/cN6y0mg.png)
Any ideas or potential concerns you might have would be most helpful.
If you're looking to drive through San Antonio or Austin directly on I-35, I would highly recommending timing it to not be during peak hours. Traffic can get pretty ugly, especially north of San Antonio and into and through Austin.
SH-130 bypasses the cities along with the entire I-35 corridor in between to the east, and is posted at 80-85 mph. Virtually zero congestion even during peak hours and of course the added bonus of being able to legally travel at those speeds. But would avoid a good part of I-35 if the goal is to clinch that. Toll by plate tolls were around $20 when I last went through a couple years ago, not sure how it is now.
Unfortunately, if I'm reading the map right in that blue = already traveled, it looks like you've got a good amount of good routes out of Illinois covered. One option could be to I-72 to US-36 across northern Missouri and Kansas. If that doesn't appeal to you (having done I-70 already, I doubt it would be much different scenery-wise, though kphoger is the guru when it comes to US-36 in Kansas and Colorado) perhaps US-36 to I-29/I-49 down to US-412 and take that across Oklahoma and New Mexico?
Quote from: sprjus4 on May 17, 2021, 12:46:54 AM
If you're looking to drive through San Antonio or Austin directly on I-35, I would highly recommending timing it to not be during peak hours. Traffic can get pretty ugly, especially north of San Antonio and into and through Austin.
SH-130 bypasses the cities along with the entire I-35 corridor in between to the east, and is posted at 80-85 mph. Virtually zero congestion even during peak hours and of course the added bonus of being able to legally travel at those speeds. But would avoid a good part of I-35 if the goal is to clinch that. Toll by plate tolls were around $20 when I last went through a couple years ago, not sure how it is now.
Traffic through that bit of Texas is a definite concern of mine. My initial plan is to travel through the area on a weekend day, or failing that, later at night. Would you say that Austin or San Antonio is worse, since that can affect the planning? My general assumption is that traffic is usually at its worst at 4 o'clock, which seems to indicate that Austin is worse on every day of the week, but there is always the potential for little quirks.
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 17, 2021, 05:43:19 AM
Unfortunately, if I'm reading the map right in that blue = already traveled, it looks like you've got a good amount of good routes out of Illinois covered. One option could be to I-72 to US-36 across northern Missouri and Kansas. If that doesn't appeal to you (having done I-70 already, I doubt it would be much different scenery-wise, though kphoger is the guru when it comes to US-36 in Kansas and Colorado) perhaps US-36 to I-29/I-49 down to US-412 and take that across Oklahoma and New Mexico?
Blue does mean previously traveled. I apologize for not making that clear.
That said, traveling outside the blue is less important for Illinois, since it's harder to avoid, but I am always interested in other ideas. And I could definitely do I-72 to US-36, perhaps to I-29 and then back to I-80. It's a little out of the way, but this is a leisure trip, and I like driving. Another idea might be to take some two-lane roads across the state, or even elsewhere for a couple hundred miles or so, but I would have to make sure they're not too heavily traveled, since I do not like being behind someone with no way to readily pass. If I recall correctly, some people prefer US-30 to I-80 across Nebraska.
Obvious question -- are you going to do the eastern or western branches of I-35 through DFW and the Twin Cities?
US 36 is a nice drive through Missouri. You can make good time on the four-lane, and there are conveniently-spaced towns where you can find services (food, gas, and lodging if you prefer).
As for car camping, no reason you couldn't use Walmart parking lots, is there? While an increasing number of Walmarts are discouraging overnight truck parking, many of them actively encourage overnight RV parking. No reason you couldn't park in a remote section of the parking lot and snooze.
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on May 18, 2021, 01:43:15 AM
Would you say that Austin or San Antonio is worse, since that can affect the planning?
Easily Austin, but really that whole corridor between San Antonio and Austin can be heavy especially at peak times, though you'll probably be moving for a lot of it. Southside San Antonio isn't usually an issue, it's really on the north side for anything that exists there.
Here's the way I would go (https://goo.gl/maps/mqCdXNMPjRDPvazP8) from Chicago to Durango. Note that this is approximately the same route I drove from Chicago to Colorado Springs once already, on my way to Ouray rather than Durango.
If you've never driven the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) between Durango and Ridgway, I would highly recommend getting to Durango that way. Then on your way down to Laredo, you can clinch the rest of US 550.
Quote from: hbelkins on May 18, 2021, 01:41:29 PM
Obvious question -- are you going to do the eastern or western branches of I-35 through DFW and the Twin Cities?
US 36 is a nice drive through Missouri. You can make good time on the four-lane, and there are conveniently-spaced towns where you can find services (food, gas, and lodging if you prefer).
As for car camping, no reason you couldn't use Walmart parking lots, is there? While an increasing number of Walmarts are discouraging overnight truck parking, many of them actively encourage overnight RV parking. No reason you couldn't park in a remote section of the parking lot and snooze.
As a clincher stickler, my plan for the E and W branches is to drive one and then double back somehow and drive the other. The main question is the order, which I don't know yet. I do plan to switch off, though, so if I do the E first in Dallas, I will do the W first in Minneapolis, or if I do the W first in Fort Worth, I will do the E first in Saint Paul. It'll largely be based on how easy I can work my way back south.
As for car camping, I am not a fan of sleeping in my car, since it essentially means I won't sleep. What I want is just a patch of ground to set up a tent and hopefully enjoy a bit of solitude for the night, so it doesn't need to be elaborate, but I would prefer it be camping-y. A web site I've used in the past is freecampsites.net, which has a number of good suggestions for relatively secluded places.
Quote from: sprjus4 on May 18, 2021, 04:10:56 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on May 18, 2021, 01:43:15 AM
Would you say that Austin or San Antonio is worse, since that can affect the planning?
Easily Austin, but really that whole corridor between San Antonio and Austin can be heavy especially at peak times, though you'll probably be moving for a lot of it. Southside San Antonio isn't usually an issue, it's really on the north side for anything that exists there.
This is very helpful. Thanks.
Quote from: kphoger on May 18, 2021, 04:55:10 PM
Here's the way I would go (https://goo.gl/maps/mqCdXNMPjRDPvazP8) from Chicago to Durango. Note that this is approximately the same route I drove from Chicago to Colorado Springs once already, on my way to Ouray rather than Durango.
That's an interesting idea. What was that non-Interstate bit like in Nebraska and Kansas? A good flow to traffic? Nice scenery?
Quote from: US 89 on May 18, 2021, 06:04:10 PM
If you've never driven the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) between Durango and Ridgway, I would highly recommend getting to Durango that way. Then on your way down to Laredo, you can clinch the rest of US 550.
Another interesting idea. It would be a bit out of the way, but getting another clinch while also getting the view might be enough to tip the scales.
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on May 18, 2021, 07:21:48 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 18, 2021, 04:55:10 PM
Here's the way I would go (https://goo.gl/maps/mqCdXNMPjRDPvazP8) from Chicago to Durango. Note that this is approximately the same route I drove from Chicago to Colorado Springs once already, on my way to Ouray rather than Durango.
That's an interesting idea. What was that non-Interstate bit like in Nebraska and Kansas? A good flow to traffic? Nice scenery?
I grew up in northwestern Kansas, so I'm pretty familiar with the area.
Traffic is quite light, and "flow of traffic" is not a concern. Scenery is just typical farmland, same as any other highway you'd go through. But everyone should have the chance to drive through a town named Funk at least once. I believe all of the two-lane highways I traced in Nebraska and Kansas have 65mph speed limits. (This didn't use to be the case in Nebraska, but it appears they've been bumped up over the years.)
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on May 18, 2021, 07:21:48 PM
Quote from: US 89 on May 18, 2021, 06:04:10 PM
If you've never driven the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) between Durango and Ridgway, I would highly recommend getting to Durango that way. Then on your way down to Laredo, you can clinch the rest of US 550.
Another interesting idea. It would be a bit out of the way, but getting another clinch while also getting the view might be enough to tip the scales.
It being out of your way is the only reason I didn't recommend it myself.
US-50 across Colorado (https://goo.gl/maps/iAB8DWcxc5ZrZLmg7) has wonderful scenery, and US-550 south of Ouray is even better.
For what it's worth, my most popular Google review is of
a campground (https://goo.gl/maps/5XxGkQPmPP7owLMT7) just outside of Ouray.
US-53 between Duluth and Eau Claire is a controlled-access or limited-access 4-lane highway all the way to I-94 posted for 65 or 70. It's lightly trafficked and moves quite well.
You could also stick to 2-lanes south of Eau Claire, clinching the entire length of US-53 in Wisconsin, then following US-14 from LaCrosse into northern Illinois. The route goes through a scenic region and doesn't have too many slow urban sections until you're well into Illinois.
You also have the option of taking US-2 to US-51, then following US-51 south, picking up the northern portion of I-39. It's slower and farther, but it's quite scenic north of Wausau.
Quote from: US 89 on May 18, 2021, 06:04:10 PM
If you've never driven the Million Dollar Highway (US 550) between Durango and Ridgway, I would highly recommend getting to Durango that way. Then on your way down to Laredo, you can clinch the rest of US 550.
Quote from: kphoger on May 19, 2021, 12:45:12 PM
It being out of your way is the only reason I didn't recommend it myself. US-50 across Colorado (https://goo.gl/maps/iAB8DWcxc5ZrZLmg7) has wonderful scenery, and US-550 south of Ouray is even better.
This is definitely quite the vote of confidence. My aversion to it is that it would take about an hour and half longer than the US-160 routing, but if it’s an hour and a half well spent, that’s what this trip is about.
Quote from: kphoger on May 19, 2021, 12:45:12 PM
For what it's worth, my most popular Google review is of a campground (https://goo.gl/maps/5XxGkQPmPP7owLMT7) just outside of Ouray.
You had me up to “high clearance vehicle,” since I have a Honda Civic, with a ground clearance of not much more than 5 inches. Otherwise, this place seems amazing.
Quote from: JREwing78 on May 20, 2021, 12:07:44 AM
US-53 between Duluth and Eau Claire is a controlled-access or limited-access 4-lane highway all the way to I-94 posted for 65 or 70. It's lightly trafficked and moves quite well.
You could also stick to 2-lanes south of Eau Claire, clinching the entire length of US-53 in Wisconsin, then following US-14 from LaCrosse into northern Illinois. The route goes through a scenic region and doesn't have too many slow urban sections until you're well into Illinois.
You also have the option of taking US-2 to US-51, then following US-51 south, picking up the northern portion of I-39. It's slower and farther, but it's quite scenic north of Wausau.
These are also good ideas. The last one is particularly interesting since my maternal grandmother’s family comes from Wausau, or rather, Marathon. So, that might be a good way for me to go.
hit Big Bend if you can. Most of the travel to Laredo will be fairly easy. Yes avoid I-35 in Austin during bad times. It even backs up on weekends for no reason. I leave for work at 5:45 instead of 6 just to make it 15 minutes faster.
I would defiantly do US 550 out of Ouray for sure. The scenery is great out there. I-35 can be heavy but doable.
Quote from: Avalanchez71 on May 25, 2021, 11:30:47 AM
I would defiantly do US 550 out of Ouray for sure. The scenery is great out there. I-35 can be heavy but doable.
Yes come in on 50 by the nice reservoir, black canyon, montrose, then down 550
Using US 550 is in defiance of something?
Making use of the comments that have been graciously provided, in combination with my proclivities, I've drawn up this map for the general route of my trip.
As you can see, there is some repeat driving, but it's mostly to get out west a bit more quickly, which is where I plan to do some of the more "unique" driving.
(https://i.imgur.com/3rNQVLd.png)
As always, if you have ideas for tweaks or changes, I'm happy to hear them.
One idea I have would be to do the US-550 and US-50 bit after I leave Durango as opposed to before, since I'll be in something of a fresher state of mind, but I could play that by ear.
I am currently in the process of finalizing my route for the clinch of I-35. Most of it is, as you can imagine, pretty straightforward. The biggest issues are the double deck sections in San Antonio and Austin as well as the tolls in Kansas, which I assume still take cash. That said, if you have any observations, I'll be happy to hear them.
The most problematic aspect is the W and E splits in Fort Worth / Dallas and Minneapolis / Saint Paul. My general plan here is to drive E section first through Dallas to the north split and then double back on a non-Interstate route back to the south split and drive the W section, and then I will do the opposite in Minnesota, driving the W and then the E.
Here are the routes that Google has given me. There are other routes closer to the cities, but they don't seem to save much time. Still, if you have any concerns about them, like speed traps or likely congestion, I can easily modify them.
(https://i.imgur.com/riqXmKl.png) (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/33.2274189,-97.172891/32.0441723,-97.0931694/@32.6135697,-97.0797611,9z/data=!4m11!4m10!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-97.597803!2d32.801048!3s0x864e08885291f927:0xfb6cfac7f5f9a620!1m0!2m1!1b1!3e0)
(https://i.imgur.com/hYvM4oh.png) (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/45.2496412,-93.023788/44.7161647,-93.2814928/@44.9593565,-93.435844,9.64z/data=!4m11!4m10!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-92.863368!2d45.0967575!3s0x52b2c8b7aa90f42f:0xb9f3e79003329c1f!1m0!2m1!1b1!3e0)
For doubling back, wouldn't it simply be quicker to take the same interstate back as opposed to diverting to surface routes? Unless that's what you're going for.
I believe the Kansas Turnpike takes cash, though not 100% sure.
Quote from: sprjus4 on May 30, 2021, 08:39:42 PM
For doubling back, wouldn't it simply be quicker to take the same interstate back as opposed to diverting to surface routes? Unless that's what you're going for.
We're road enthusiasts. Since when do we just take the quickest route? Might as well see a new road if you get the chance.
Quote from: sprjus4 on May 30, 2021, 08:39:42 PM
For doubling back, wouldn’t it simply be quicker to take the same interstate back as opposed to diverting to surface routes? Unless that’s what you’re going for.
It would be, but I would prefer to avoid re-driving the interstate I just drove. The part where I avoid all interstates in doubling back, that I can't really explain.
Quote from: US 89 on May 31, 2021, 12:14:36 AM
We're road enthusiasts. Since when do we just take the quickest route? Might as well see a new road if you get the chance.
This maybe sums it up pretty well. :cool:
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on May 31, 2021, 02:16:33 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on May 30, 2021, 08:39:42 PM
For doubling back, wouldn't it simply be quicker to take the same interstate back as opposed to diverting to surface routes? Unless that's what you're going for.
It would be, but I would prefer to avoid re-driving the interstate I just drove. The part where I avoid all interstates in doubling back, that I can't really explain.
Texas has direct ramps between 35W and 35E at their merge points, if you would rather more or less skip them entirely at first (other than setting up a clinch checkpoint) and then simply reverse direction via the direct ramps. It would get the drudgery extra driving out of the way first rather than in the middle.
Minnesota, however does not have direct ramps back to the opposite directions of 35W and 35E and you would need to reverse at either County 46 for the Burnsville split or MN 97 for the Forest Lake split.
Quote from: US 89 on May 31, 2021, 12:14:36 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on May 30, 2021, 08:39:42 PM
For doubling back, wouldn't it simply be quicker to take the same interstate back as opposed to diverting to surface routes? Unless that's what you're going for.
We're road enthusiasts. Since when do we just take the quickest route? Might as well see a new road if you get the chance.
See the part where I put "unless that's what you're going for."
It was merely a question.
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on May 31, 2021, 02:16:33 AM
It would be, but I would prefer to avoid re-driving the interstate I just drove. The part where I avoid all interstates in doubling back, that I can't really explain.
That makes sense then. Perhaps take the opportunity to clinch other freeways in the region, but yes if you're going surface routes only, then obviously don't. It's all your preferences, just throwing out some suggestions, albeit obvious, here.
Quote from: sprjus4 on May 31, 2021, 07:35:28 AM
Quote from: US 89 on May 31, 2021, 12:14:36 AM
Quote from: sprjus4 on May 30, 2021, 08:39:42 PM
For doubling back, wouldn't it simply be quicker to take the same interstate back as opposed to diverting to surface routes? Unless that's what you're going for.
We're road enthusiasts. Since when do we just take the quickest route? Might as well see a new road if you get the chance.
See the part where I put "unless that's what you're going for."
It was merely a question.
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on May 31, 2021, 02:16:33 AM
It would be, but I would prefer to avoid re-driving the interstate I just drove. The part where I avoid all interstates in doubling back, that I can't really explain.
That makes sense then. Perhaps take the opportunity to clinch other freeways in the region, but yes if you're going surface routes only, then obviously don't. It's all your preferences, just throwing out some suggestions, albeit obvious, here.
I apologize if it seems I was attacking you. I didn't mean to come across like that. By all means, keep giving me your comments.
Probably the most difficult part of the route to plan will be from Durango to Laredo to begin the clinch of I-35. What I would prefer for this leg would be a route pretty much out of the way once I get off I-25, so it doesn’t need to be particularly fast, just something with a bit of solitude to it in the ideal. What I also want to do is to make a stop at the I-40 Welcome Center at Glenrio, New Mexico, but without spending too much time on the Interstate.
What I’ve come with is the following. (Click for a link to Google Maps) The basic idea, especially in Texas, is to stay off roads with a high AADT, at least on the whole. Some of them aren’t even marked on the map I found. but if there’s anything that would be better, do let me know. It should at least be paved, though, since, as I mentioned above, high clearance does not go with my car.
(https://i.imgur.com/3CTTfPp.png) (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Durango,+Colorado/35.1841984,-103.0488878/@36.5403565,-107.0438,7.32z/data=!4m29!4m28!1m25!1m1!1s0x873c02a6bd85fc23:0xdc2b8882a3a67e5a!2m2!1d-107.8800667!2d37.27528!3m4!1m2!1d-107.5556428!2d38.4416796!3s0x873f6f214a26f2e7:0xd7931eb19049f3dc!3m4!1m2!1d-105.185728!2d38.4469861!3s0x871485a7b4e3c155:0x265820254eeb380a!3m4!1m2!1d-103.3237375!2d35.1061938!3s0x870359975bad4f7b:0xf82c98893add61!3m4!1m2!1d-103.1905018!2d35.1140376!3s0x87035e6d7cc2ddf7:0x330817bb109bcf5c!1m0!3e0?hl=fr)
(https://i.imgur.com/UeqxOnf.png) (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/35.1841984,-103.0488878/27.5056239,-99.5027667/@31.3528023,-104.8618424,6.36z/data=!4m61!4m60!1m55!3m4!1m2!1d-103.1964947!2d34.40389!3s0x8702dde0a4e612ab:0xe3fdb4ada1a9d206!3m4!1m2!1d-102.7591449!2d33.7726723!3s0x86fd810aaa1bf20f:0xcce8e3f262ac700f!3m4!1m2!1d-101.6536197!2d31.7140805!3s0x86f9a3cef5f93241:0x4431191a764add25!3m4!1m2!1d-101.4607221!2d30.9504165!3s0x86f77a6a52bb7893:0x32013c3af8723287!3m4!1m2!1d-100.8864525!2d30.8884021!3s0x86f7e9558508cc8d:0xf777abb1faeeea4b!3m4!1m2!1d-100.0182427!2d29.6833699!3s0x865f2e9e63825c67:0x5db864c188d4b8f0!3m4!1m2!1d-99.9748443!2d29.3758084!3s0x865f1f2464e8cc37:0x309c94e6e8be6d18!3m4!1m2!1d-99.5974536!2d27.6928834!3s0x8660e6d104291c11:0xb3643efa95ce67e7!3m4!1m2!1d-99.5103774!2d27.5085702!3s0x8661218638048a23:0xe2d747a66f2de592!3m4!1m2!1d-99.5098178!2d27.5064051!3s0x86612187966c32f5:0xc318dfd1ed5f286!3m4!1m2!1d-99.5019388!2d27.5063257!3s0x866121806dfe7113:0x1f07d3d492186e73!1m0!2m1!1b1!3e0?hl=fr)
Any reason why you're avoiding I-27? It is not very high-AADT as Interstates go, so it wouldn't be much of a detour and would give you another 2di notch on your belt (since I see you tracking them in your sig). The Texas panhandle as a whole feels pretty solitary no matter where you go.
Another thing you could consider when you go through on I-35 is jumping off to do a quick clinch of I-14 (as it currently stands, anyway). At 24 miles, you can easily do it end to end and be back on I-35 in less than an hour. I did so while traveling the segment of I-35 from Norman to San Antonio and it definitely didn't feel like too long of a side excursion. Probably the easiest 2di you'll ever clinch.
Quote from: Scott5114 on June 01, 2021, 03:57:28 AM
Any reason why you're avoiding I-27? It is not very high-AADT as Interstates go, so it wouldn't be much of a detour and would give you another 2di notch on your belt (since I see you tracking them in your sig). The Texas panhandle as a whole feels pretty solitary no matter where you go.
It's mostly because I'm trying to stretch my wings a bit. I've been a very Interstate-centric person in my pursuit of the the hobby thus far, but the people who travel the US and state highways, Max Rockatansky in particular, seem to really like it. So, I'm using this leg of the trip to try that out. Will it be something I appreciate? Will it be frustrating? I don't know, but I figured I'd give it an honest try. The second reason is to avoid driving on I-40 to get to I-27, since that's ground I've already covered, but I could come down from, say, US-87 from Raton.
Quote from: Scott5114 on June 01, 2021, 03:57:28 AM
Another thing you could consider when you go through on I-35 is jumping off to do a quick clinch of I-14 (as it currently stands, anyway). At 24 miles, you can easily do it end to end and be back on I-35 in less than an hour. I did so while traveling the segment of I-35 from Norman to San Antonio and it definitely didn't feel like too long of a side excursion. Probably the easiest 2di you'll ever clinch.
That is an interesting idea. The only reason I wouldn't do it would be if I were all Texased-out.
No matter what you do you'll be finding yourself on plenty of conventional roads between Lubbock and Laredo, so I feel like you'll get a good dose of those whether you do I-27 or not. Personally, I find conventional roads to be nothing special, especially in an area like the Texas panhandle without much in the way of scenery to speak of (it's going to be a bit of a letdown after having done US-550 a few days before). Since you will be passing through a couple dozen small towns en route to Laredo, chances are you won't really have much of a chance to really explore any of them in depth and still make good time, so they mostly will exist as obstacles to cost you time. My opinion, anyway. I usually go through an area on Interstates the first time and then resort to conventional roads when I've had my fill of that particular stretch of Interstate.
Texas can be pretty exhausting to drive through, so I wouldn't begrudge you for wanting to just get out of the state ASAP for a change in scenery (though you may find yourself missing TxDOT by the time you get a feel for what ODOT has to...erm...offer.) If you do decide to clinch I-14, and if you're into county counting, take note that it's only a few minutes from the west end of I-14 to the Lampasas County line. I kicked myself when I was logging I-14 in TM and realized how close I was to getting another county.
If you want one more little detour in Colorado, instead of taking US50 all the way back to Pueblo, I would recommend taking US50->CO69->CO96->CO165->I-25. Much more scenic. You can also make a stopover at Bishop Castle (https://www.bishopcastle.org/).
Chris
Enjoy TX-55 between Rocksprings and Uvalde! I'd love to drive that stretch.
Quote from: jayhawkco on June 01, 2021, 05:00:37 PM
If you want one more little detour in Colorado, instead of taking US50 all the way back to Pueblo, I would recommend taking US50->CO69->CO96->CO165->I-25. Much more scenic. You can also make a stopover at Bishop Castle (https://www.bishopcastle.org/).
Looking on the map, I see where you're coming from, and I just might do that. Thanks.
Quote from: kphoger on June 02, 2021, 03:24:31 PM
Enjoy TX-55 between Rocksprings and Uvalde! I'd love to drive that stretch.
I am definitely looking forward to it.
Just for the record, here is the rest of the (increasingly not) preliminary routings:
San Antonio backtrack for the upper and lower decks:
(https://i.imgur.com/Z8slvtd.png) (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/29.438109,-98.4635585/29.4040286,-98.5106097/@29.4066447,-98.5281044,17458m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m41!4m40!1m35!3m4!1m2!1d-98.4620338!2d29.4371999!3s0x865cf5dd60c244b7:0x3f8bad89dc6b47a7!3m4!1m2!1d-98.4643183!2d29.4365989!3s0x865cf5e7bda6ca87:0xcc318bd7267a58cc!3m4!1m2!1d-98.4802543!2d29.4322127!3s0x865cf5f94b6165d1:0xff0031cb4811479f!3m4!1m2!1d-98.4840471!2d29.4351721!3s0x865cf5f877fc9a6f:0x2c5edcc599d6d7ae!3m4!1m2!1d-98.4876727!2d29.4333029!3s0x865c5f56f0874d55:0xc2b2699873dbf61e!3m4!1m2!1d-98.4944238!2d29.4280291!3s0x865c5f528844ce05:0x32a1f1e71b500464!3m4!1m2!1d-98.494648!2d29.424095!3s0x865c58ad5a96a227:0xa32b49863d49b9d1!1m0!2m1!1b1!3e0?hl=fr)
Austin backtrack for the upper and lower decks:
(https://i.imgur.com/IJ4GND8.png) (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/30.3041215,-97.7135353/30.2721897,-97.7317858/@30.2898375,-97.740395,5398m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m26!4m25!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d-97.7092424!2d30.2982912!3s0x8644b5f780f01077:0xd8f9f02012a09d42!3m4!1m2!1d-97.7189976!2d30.304528!3s0x8644ca0b3f418b5d:0x4b0b43669adcda1f!3m4!1m2!1d-97.7286589!2d30.3005424!3s0x8644ca77c968c80b:0x3b3388378ba9393e!3m4!1m2!1d-97.7359259!2d30.2724744!3s0x8644b5a3dbd34215:0x1d1351cf05205e19!1m0!2m1!1b1!3e0?hl=fr)
Kansas Turnpike - They do take coins (It was night, and only a short part on the SE side of Topeka, so for a longer distance there could be a booth that takes bills)
Colorado - There is a major detour for US 50, as in CDOT does not want non-locals on it between Montrose & Pueblo. You might want to look at US 160, or follow US 84 & 64 into New Mexico (I did this, back in April and enjoyed most of it)
In general, with non-interstates, its not the road, it is the scenery (natural & man-made) that one can more thoroughly experience compared to interstates
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on June 06, 2021, 12:47:48 AM
Colorado - There is a major detour for US 50, as in CDOT does not want non-locals on it between Montrose & Pueblo. You might want to look at US 160, or follow US 84 & 64 into New Mexico (I did this, back in April and enjoyed most of it)
Thanks for all your information, especially this last bit. That will save me quite a headache.
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on June 06, 2021, 03:28:23 AM
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on June 06, 2021, 12:47:48 AM
Colorado - There is a major detour for US 50, as in CDOT does not want non-locals on it between Montrose & Pueblo. You might want to look at US 160, or follow US 84 & 64 into New Mexico (I did this, back in April and enjoyed most of it)
Thanks for all your information, especially this last bit. That will save me quite a headache.
I was just on US50 yesterday and it looks like the only area they're detouring currently is between Gunnison and Montrose.
https://www.codot.gov/news/2021/april-2021/us50-little-blue-creek-detours (https://www.codot.gov/news/2021/april-2021/us50-little-blue-creek-detours)
Chris
So you are going to do the upper and lower decks to call it a clinch? Wow that is hardcore. I see if no different then using HOV or express lanes when they do a slight split.
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on June 06, 2021, 12:47:48 AM
Kansas Turnpike - They do take coins (It was night, and only a short part on the SE side of Topeka, so for a longer distance there could be a booth that takes bills)
Yeah, the Kansas Turnpike has people taking your money. They don't care if it's coins or bills, so long as you pay your toll.
I am currently on the trip, and I will post more when I'm not on my phone. But some observations:
Iowa has little transverse lines across the passing lane of I-80 every quarter mile. I don't know why.
Nebraska has too many Interstate reassurance signs on I-80 with the 80 in boldface type.
The median on I-76 in Colorado is very wide.
Also, most rest areas in Colorado have you get off the highway at an exit instead of a direct ramp.
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on June 09, 2021, 08:05:06 PM
Iowa has little transverse lines across the passing lane of I-80 every quarter mile. I don't know why.
Most of the time, markings like this are intended to aid airborne speed enforcement. Pick a car, start the timer when it passes a line, stop it when it passes another line, now you can calculate its average speed between the two lines. Oklahoma does something similar with white squares painted on the shoulder every half-mile (although as far as I know they're not regularly used by law enforcement).
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on June 09, 2021, 08:05:06 PM
Nebraska has too many Interstate reassurance signs on I-80 with the 80 in boldface type.
I seem to recall Jake Bear referring to these as "Series D Modified", implying that the letterforms are identical to those used on Caltrans signage to accommodate button reflectors on highway shields.