Home and Auto Driving from Salt Lake to KC: take the 80 or the 70?

**TinyEvel** · 06-09-2015, 09:38 AM

Hey kids.

I'm driving from Northern California to KC next week. I figure going through Northern Nevada to Salt Lake is the only real way to get halfway there, but from Salt lake, the map says it takes about the same time to go via the 80 through southern WY and then Nebraska, or turn south toward Denver and go the 70 through Kansas.

Have any of you done one or both of these routes? Which is better?

thanks

TE

Why Not? · 06-09-2015, 09:40 AM

All I know is this. The drive from Denver to KC is the most visually boring few hours I ever spent in my life.

WhawhaWhat · 06-09-2015, 09:42 AM

If the only choices are driving through Kansas or Nebraska? Antifreeze is the only option.

**morphius** · 06-09-2015, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why Not?

All I know is this. The drive from Denver to KC is the most visually boring few hours I ever spent in my life.

Omaha to Denver was worse. 80 is in the platte river valley, and I think from Lincoln to a mile from the border you can't even see ANY hills. NE may not be anywhere near as flat as Kansas, but I-80 is boring. I believe both states have speed limits of 75, which is helpful.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-09-2015, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

If the only choices are driving through Kansas or Nebraska? Antifreeze is the only option.

LOL No shit!

From Cali, I'd take 40 to OKC, then 35.

KC native · 06-09-2015, 09:46 AM

1) Drive to Salt Lake City
2) Charter a helicopter flight (one of those big chinook ****ers, I'm sure the military would be happy to oblige for the right price)
3) Avoid driving through brownbackistan or nebraska
4) ?????????????
5) Profit.

**TinyEvel** · 06-09-2015, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

LOL No shit!

From Cali, I'd take 40 to OKC, then 35.

The 40 is too far south to go, it adds hours to the trip. If it were winter Id consider it.

Also, based on this recent news

http://www.imfromdenver.com/serial-s...e-in-colorado/

I'm thinking avoid Denver and just power through WY to Neb. and tough it out.

**Trivers** · 06-09-2015, 09:55 AM

both routes suck.

WY, NE, and down from OMA is best of two bad options...except drive all night and miss the terrible scenery.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-09-2015, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

The 40 is too far south to go, it adds hours to the trip. If it were winter Id consider it.

Also, based on this recent news

http://www.imfromdenver.com/serial-s...e-in-colorado/

I'm thinking avoid Denver and just power through WY to Neb. and tough it out.

I was thinking you were in LA.

Herp Derp. Totally missed the part about Northern California.

**Ming the Merciless** · 06-09-2015, 09:59 AM

what part of northern cali u live in????????????????

**Trivers** · 06-09-2015, 09:59 AM

when you get to SLC, take a break and go to the Red Iguana. GREAT mex food.

Of course, you are passing Park City as you climb out of the valley. Always a good place to visit.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-09-2015, 10:00 AM

I've always taken the 70 going the Northern route but as others have stated, it's visually boring east of Colorado Springs and west of KC.

Make sure to have some sort of stimulant drink, whether it's Red Bull or Monster or whatever for that stretch because it's easy to get tired driving in a straight line.

**srvy** · 06-09-2015, 10:01 AM

I would have to say of the 2 fails I would take I-80. Drove those 2 highways so much from Northern Nevada to KC for work. Seemed 80 was faster but 70 had some better scenery but not much.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-09-2015, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

I'm thinking avoid Denver and just power through WY to Neb. and tough it out.

As long as you don't hit Denver during Rush Hour, it's a breeze

**srvy** · 06-09-2015, 10:09 AM

I would check road construction a week or so before you go and make my decisions based on that. Seemed very seldom did we not hit construction on I-70 in Co. Cabelas in Sydney NE. Is always a good spot to stretch your legs. Really there is not much difference between the two.

06-09-2015, 09:38 AM
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $2229601	Driving from Salt Lake to KC: take the 80 or the 70? Hey kids. I'm driving from Northern California to KC next week. I figure going through Northern Nevada to Salt Lake is the only real way to get halfway there, but from Salt lake, the map says it takes about the same time to go via the 80 through southern WY and then Nebraska, or turn south toward Denver and go the 70 through Kansas. Have any of you done one or both of these routes? Which is better? thanks TE
Posts: 12,324

06-09-2015, 09:40 AM	#2
Why Not? In Search of a Life Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $-681006	All I know is this. The drive from Denver to KC is the most visually boring few hours I ever spent in my life.
Posts: 23,885

06-09-2015, 09:42 AM	#3
WhawhaWhat MVP Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $-688884	If the only choices are driving through Kansas or Nebraska? Antifreeze is the only option.
Posts: 18,321

06-09-2015, 09:46 AM	#6
KC native Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Casino cash: $10049239	1) Drive to Salt Lake City 2) Charter a helicopter flight (one of those big chinook ****ers, I'm sure the military would be happy to oblige for the right price) 3) Avoid driving through brownbackistan or nebraska 4) ????????????? 5) Profit.
Posts: 24,946

06-09-2015, 09:55 AM	#8
Trivers Always ask 'Why?" Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Two Rivers, Wisconsin Casino cash: $-937600	both routes suck. WY, NE, and down from OMA is best of two bad options...except drive all night and miss the terrible scenery.
Posts: 3,007

06-09-2015, 09:59 AM	#10
Ming the Merciless Emporer of Mongo Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milky Way Casino cash: $-632444	what part of northern cali u live in???????????????? __________________ ---- 2018 Adopt-A-Chief : Chris Conley 2017 Adopt-A-Chief : FRANK ZOMBO Click here-->*The Holy Chiefsplanet Lexicon **
Posts: 46,212

06-09-2015, 10:00 AM	#12
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	I've always taken the 70 going the Northern route but as others have stated, it's visually boring east of Colorado Springs and west of KC. Make sure to have some sort of stimulant drink, whether it's Red Bull or Monster or whatever for that stretch because it's easy to get tired driving in a straight line.
Posts: 88,960

06-09-2015, 10:01 AM	#13
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $-2228750	I would have to say of the 2 fails I would take I-80. Drove those 2 highways so much from Northern Nevada to KC for work. Seemed 80 was faster but 70 had some better scenery but not much.
Posts: 25,872

06-09-2015, 10:09 AM	#15
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $-2228750	I would check road construction a week or so before you go and make my decisions based on that. Seemed very seldom did we not hit construction on I-70 in Co. Cabelas in Sydney NE. Is always a good spot to stretch your legs. Really there is not much difference between the two.
Posts: 25,872