California to South Dakota

[bsmith0404]

Going that route you don't hit wind until the greeley area, about 30 miles before cheyenne and it's normally not as bad as 80. Raton pass is your only major climb. If you take it slow and steady it's not too bad

[austinp]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

As already stated, they can blow 24/7, usually worse in winter. I lived in Cheyenne for 4 years and will say that this time of year, your chances of lower wind levels are better in the morning than the afternoon. With that said, I don't know how you would be able to travel across Wyoming in just the morning. You're pretty much stuck with what you have when you get there and hope it's good. If not, go slow or spend a day watching things blow by. Just plan ahead, I've seen many, many trailers on their side in Wyoming.

What we're going to do is on our 2nd day stay in Rock Springs for the night and head back out the next morning. As previously stated if the wind starts blowing we will try to take the 30 truck route just East of Laramie. Thanks.

[austinp]

Originally Posted by hankaye

austinp, Howdy;

Now that we've got you more nervous about crossing
Wonderful Windy Wyoming than a cat in a room full of
rocking chairs, there is an alternate route, ... take I-40
across to Albuquerque, N.M. (doing the Route 66 thang),
then go North on I-25 to Denver then I-76 to I-80 .....
there's always an alternate route.

hankaye

Thanks hankaye, good suggestion. The 15 is still closed in Nevada too. We may cancel our reservation in Leeds, Nevada and head North on the 93 and spend the first night in Caliente, Nevada before connecting to the 80 towards Salt Lake. They say they may have the 15 open again by the weekend, at least one lane North and one South. We'll see.[emoji51]

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by austinp

Thanks hankaye, good suggestion. The 15 is still closed in Nevada too. We may cancel our reservation in Leeds, Nevada and head North on the 93 and spend the first night in Caliente, Nevada before connecting to the 80 towards Salt Lake. They say they may have the 15 open again by the weekend, at least one lane North and one South. We'll see.[emoji51]

I'm hearing that even if they open 15 this weekend, it will not be open to commercial or large vehicles. Either way, good luck and enjoy the trip. Between SD/Rushmore are and Yellowstone I could spend every summer up in that part of the country and never miss civilization a bit! BTW, don't miss the Crazy Horse monument, very interesting to see. There are also some caves on the far side of Custer that make for an interesting day.

[austinp]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

I'm hearing that even if they open 15 this weekend, it will not be open to commercial or large vehicles. Either way, good luck and enjoy the trip. Between SD/Rushmore are and Yellowstone I could spend every summer up in that part of the country and never miss civilization a bit! BTW, don't miss the Crazy Horse monument, very interesting to see. There are also some caves on the far side of Custer that make for an interesting day.

Thanks bsmith0404, I also heard they may not allow commercial/large vehicles. Getting through Nevada may be the challenge. Sunday will be decision making time if we're going to stay in Caliente or try for Leeds.

[hankaye]

austinp, Howdy;

One of the BIGGEST mistakes is folks thinking that they HAVE
to make it to a certain place by a specific time ... remember that it
generally takes, on average, 2 hours for every 100 miles traveled.
Take your time, don't get in a hurry to make a deadline, rest before
you think you need one everyone has their own time frame for breaks.
Remember, your not used to the long haul, and you have a trailer behind
you, something you are not used to, it's more tiring than most folks realize.
Travel safe, there are some truly crazy drivers out there and the scary
thing is that there is a group more of them than there is of us...

hankaye

[austinp]

Originally Posted by hankaye

austinp, Howdy;

One of the BIGGEST mistakes is folks thinking that they HAVE
to make it to a certain place by a specific time ... remember that it
generally takes, on average, 2 hours for every 100 miles traveled.
Take your time, don't get in a hurry to make a deadline, rest before
you think you need one everyone has their own time frame for breaks.
Remember, your not used to the long haul, and you have a trailer behind
you, something you are not used to, it's more tiring than most folks realize.
Travel safe, there are some truly crazy drivers out there and the scary
thing is that there is a group more of them than there is of us...

hankaye

Thanks hankaye. We will definitely take our time and drive slow. No reason to rush.

[JRTJH]

Speaking of "GOING SLOW", even if I-15 is reopened to large vehicles, with only one lane open, there will be significant backups and delays. It could easily turn into an "all day" parking lot.

I think I'd seriously consider avoiding that congestion and just plan an alternate route with the understanding that it probably won't be "smooth travels" through that area.

[austinp]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Speaking of "GOING SLOW", even if I-15 is reopened to large vehicles, with only one lane open, there will be significant backups and delays. It could easily turn into an "all day" parking lot.

I think I'd seriously consider avoiding that congestion and just plan an alternate route with the understanding that it probably won't be "smooth travels" through that area.

I hear that. Thanks.

[gkainz]

Since someone started with things to do ... (Note that some things close after Labor Day)
Jewel Cave west of Custer
Wind Cave (and national park) south of Custer
Crazy Horse
1880 train, Hill City
Needles highway
Custer State Park
Mt Rushmore
Keystone
Mammoth Dig, Evans Plunge in Hot Springs
Ellsworth air force base museum
Titan (or minuteman?) missile silo east of Wall
Wall drug
Spearfish canyon
Deadwood and Lead

[austinp]

That's a lot of things to do. Thanks for the list.

[austinp]

I'll try to give some short reviews of my daily travel to and from SD. Especially while going through WY.

[ed cobos]

we just came back from oc to south dakota, and we pull a keystone hideout w/ f150 easy and beautiful. i was concerned about the wind in wyoming and montana, but we were fortunate not to have any problems. the roads in that part of the country have warnings and barricades if it is too windy. we stayed at jrafter, what a great park between custer and hill city. beautiful area. we just heard there was some snow at rushmore. if you are not in a hurry, we went up arizona 17 to 40 to 25 through new mexico, colorado, wyoming and to south dakota, i was more concerned driving the 15 - hate it. you'll have an amazing trip.

[austinp]

Originally Posted by ed cobos

we just came back from oc to south dakota, and we pull a keystone hideout w/ f150 easy and beautiful. i was concerned about the wind in wyoming and montana, but we were fortunate not to have any problems. the roads in that part of the country have warnings and barricades if it is too windy. we stayed at jrafter, what a great park between custer and hill city. beautiful area. we just heard there was some snow at rushmore. if you are not in a hurry, we went up arizona 17 to 40 to 25 through new mexico, colorado, wyoming and to south dakota, i was more concerned driving the 15 - hate it. you'll have an amazing trip.

Sounds like we have the same setup. Thanks for the review. Can't wait to hit the road. [emoji1]

[austinp]

Hooked up and about ready to head out in the morning.

[Jim & DJ]

15 is down to one lane each direction in the Mesquite/Moapa Nevada area for another 10 days or so. Good luck on your trip..

[austinp]

Originally Posted by Jim & DJ

15 is down to one lane each direction in the Mesquite/Moapa Nevada area for another 10 days or so. Good luck on your trip..

Thank you very much![emoji1]

[austinp]

We made it to Leeds, Utah. TT pulled great. Nice weather too.[emoji1]

[hankaye]

austinp, Howdy;

Looks like the 'problem' on I-15 wasn't so bad after all. Good for you!
How do you plan to tackle Salt Lake City? The climb up Parleys Canyon
is a good grade 7 maybe even an 8 in some spots and is at a minimum of
5 miles with a lot of not so understanding other drivers. I always tried to
avoid it and as I was coming from the Central part of the State I'd jump
off of I-15 onto University at Provo (exit 263), then shuffle through town
(multi-lane all the way), and blend into US-189 to Heber City then a left
at the traffic light where it joins US-40W and will blend you onto I-80.
Beautiful drive through Provo Canyon, Past Deer Creek and Jordanelle Res.
and the climb isn't near as steep. Just something to consider...

Have fun,

hankaye

[austinp]

Originally Posted by hankaye

austinp, Howdy;

Looks like the 'problem' on I-15 wasn't so bad after all. Good for you!
How do you plan to tackle Salt Lake City? The climb up Parleys Canyon
is a good grade 7 maybe even an 8 in some spots and is at a minimum of
5 miles with a lot of not so understanding other drivers. I always tried to
avoid it and as I was coming from the Central part of the State I'd jump
off of I-15 onto University at Provo (exit 263), then shuffle through town
(multi-lane all the way), and blend into US-189 to Heber City then a left
at the traffic light where it joins US-40W and will blend you onto I-80.
Beautiful drive through Provo Canyon, Past Deer Creek and Jordanelle Res.
and the climb isn't near as steep. Just something to consider...

Have fun,

hankaye

Hi hankaye, the 15 was down to one lane on each direction with no commercial traffic allowed, so that made it an easy drive. I think I'll try your route to tackle the 80 through Salt Lake tomorrow. I have my trusty road atlas to help too. Thanks for the warning on the grade.. [emoji106]