After the next storm ends, I will be driving west, and I70 is the most direct route. I drove it in summer about 10 years ago. I am used to and like mountain driving in Arizona, and have an AWD SUV, if untested in severe conditions. But I started reading today about chains being recommended at times, the altitude, tread depth needed, and wondered if it might be taking on too much. I live in the snow belt, but only drive in town for the most part in winter, partially as my previous small car had marginal traction. Am I being top much of a wuss to contemplate heading way south for AZ to avoid this short piece of the drive to California?
Usually it is fine, especially if you are driving during the day. When it is snowing and swirling, it can be tricky. You need to be careful on the downhills (Floyd Hill just before Idaho Springs, coming out of the tunnel) but for the most part it’s an interstate that is 2 or 3 lanes, cleared more than the other highways. There are semi trucks that you want to stay well back of.
If chains are required or recommended, don’t drive at that time. That’s means the roads are really bad. You do need GOOD tires with tread.
Also, driving west on a Saturday morning is nuts. Don’t do that. Too many skiers headed up. Wait till noon at least.
I think the highway near Glenwood is back to 2 lanes, 3 in some spots.
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If you’re an experienced mountain driver, then you should be fine on I-70w. It’s a major highway that is regularly plowed during the winter. West of Eisenhower Tunnel into Silverthorne can be a bit dicey because it’s a steep descent that can be snow packed and icy. It’s not unusual for me to reach speeds of 80mph in that stretch.
Vail Pass can be tricky too. I don’t think it’s as bad as the west side of the tunnel, but a lot of accidents happen in that area so just be mindful of that. Tires with good tread are a necessity for mountain driving here.
The drive through Glenwood Canyon is gorgeous. CDOT may still be closing the road through the canyon for avalanche mitigation around the burn scar area. Be sure to check cotrip.org for the latest updates and alerts prior to travel.
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We leave Taos tomorrow to drive to Copper Mountain. We have a 4WD Tundra. My H is comfortable driving in snow conditions. He got new tires for the truck to make sure we would be able drive during snow in Colorado. Two years ago we had a lot of snow heading to both Aspen Snowmass and Steamboat and we did great in our Tundra.
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Regarding good tires, I have a practically new vehicle, with standard issue tires. Years ago I vowed to return to Glenwood Canyon and ride the bike path. Maybe on the return trip. Thanks for the cotrip.org site! Very useful. On those icy downhills, braking sounds ill advised, but going 80 doesn’t sound the best either. Lower gear to let the engine slow the descent?
I was planning to do it on Saturday when no snow is forecast, so thanks for the warning regarding Saturday mornings out of Denver.
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Not at all. One of the worst experiences I’ve had in a car was with a very experienced Colorado snow and mountain driver on I-70. The problem came as other cars began sliding sideways toward us in the fast lane exiting the Eisenhower tunnel. It took quick maneuvering to avoid the pile up. The conditions had turned quickly from snowy, blowing winds and icy roads. Shortly after it was closed.
The drive is a gorgeous one, but I will only do it in the summer 
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Loveland pass isn’t on I70. Passes are tricky, even in the summer.
Yes, my error. It was coming out of the Eisenhower tunnel
Oh, by Loveland ski area. And not anywhere near the city of Loveland, which is on I-25. Just name everything Loveland to confuse out of staters.
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Here’s the Eisenhower Tunnel when we were moving to San Diego - taken on May 26 that year.
I took a video as we were driving out of the tunnel - after seeing the warning signs of low visibility and ice on road.
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Meddy, this sounds like an experience I don’t need! Thanks for your story, hopefully atypical, but still.
I need more time on the highway driving in winter, without high altitude issues. Arizona and I40 is sounding better all the time, though I know that road can have issues as well with snow and wind.
CDOT site is very helpful in figuring this out at any given time. Reminded to have plenty of water, snacks, winter coats, etc. Sometimes they close I-70 for other reasons like a 18 wheeler accident, mudslide, etc.
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My D is planning a March trip to Yellowstone through CO. I am now really nervous!
March in CO is still winter. We lived there for years. She needs to have plans for alternative routes or days. What is dangerous one day can be fine the next. Fortunately now there are cameras and web sites that let you plan ahead. It’s usually the west side, tunnel to Silverthorne that gets really messy.
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Thank you! I’ve been so trying to convince that a trip more southerly - to Utah - would be better/safer! It’s concerning!
I think that Yellowstone in March could be very wintery, maybe not what she is expecting.
Thanks, Colorado_mom! That’s what I told her. But she’s wanted to go for so long and seems committed. I’m very nervous about the drive!!
@Jolynne_Smyth March is a very hard time to go to Yellowstone. Most areas of the park will not be open at all and I’m not even sure if they are still running their winter snowcoaches. Only Mammoth will be accessible by car. Tell her she really needs to reschedule. Or at least point her to the website if she won’t listen to you. It has all the seasons and operating hours listed:
https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hours.htm
May is a good time to visit and there will still be plenty of snow in Yellowstone then. I worked a summer in Yellowstone and when we arrived in May there were snow drifts up around Dunraven Pass higher than a car. It can snow anytime in Yellowstone. I saw it snow on July 4th, but it can also get hot during the day too and there are voracious mosquitoes.
I have no advice on I-70, but I have driven on I-40 in January and did get caught in a snowstorm around Flagstaff. We wanted to see the Grand Canyon, but there was about a foot of snow so we had to turn south to go down to Phoenix and get I-10.
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After all the discussion, and reflecting on worthwhile advice, I did end up driving south to I40. It was a gorgeous day today, driving down I25 and the Colorado front range. On the radio, I heard that there was high avalanche danger statewide due to recent storms. I assume that might include roads such as I70.
I40 in Arizona can have terrible winds and storm systems in spring. I planned a few Grand Canyon trips at spring break when the kids were young, and plans were changed more than once due to weather fronts moving in.
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They keep a good watch on the avalanche possibilities alone I 70. There have been a few, but usually they can keep danger to a minimum.
The warnings posted are usually for the back country (snowshoers and xcountry skiers).
Glad you had a nice drive. It is gorgeous here today - 60 degrees after a week of below freezing temps, most in the single digits.