I went to Denver a couple of months ago for, uh, work. While driving on I-70 through western Kansas/eastern Colorado, I noticed that the freeways had these gates every few exits or so, that I later learned would come down in order to keep drivers off the roads in case of bad snow.
I’m thinking about making another “work trip” to Denver in February - right in the heart of winter.
My question is, am I basically rolling the dice by driving I-70 during that time of the year? Or are those highway closings reserved for really severe, headline-making snowstorms that don’t occur all that often?
They don’t close highways due to bad weather unless they absolutely have to, so the likelihood you will have to deal with that issue is small… but non zero. I would keep a close eye on the weather in those areas a week out and if necessary you could add a day or two just in case you can’t get through due to weather. It’s not like they are going to be closed for days. They will reopen as soon as they feel it’s safe again. The other option would be flying of course. They do close Denver airport occasionally, but not that often.
I figured there was a reason why driving was your only option, but I had to mention that. Unfortunately there’s no way to predict what the weather is going to be like in February. It could be cold and sunny the whole way, or cloudy with rain, sleet or hail, or snowy and windy. All you can do is watch the skies and see if there is a massive storm approaching.
As I said, if you find out there is a good likelihood of terrible weather just add some extra time. Road closures happen, but I don’t think it’s likely they are going to happen on any given week.
Is there any chance that you could either delay or move up your trip by a week if there was bad weather in the forecast? Under good conditions how long does it take to get to your destination from where you’re starting out?
For driving in areas where being stranded by a snowstorm is a possibility, it’s also suggested that you make some emergency preparations. Have a sleeping bag or blankets in the car, keep the tank topped off, stopping for gas more often than you might normally, and so on.
Very good advice indeed. Have plenty of drinkable water and food just in case you get stuck and can’t make it to a motel or town. I live in Montana and during the winter months I carry blankets etc. just in case my truck breaks down on some back road. Sometimes there is no cell service and ‘walking out’ isn’t always a good option…
Western Kansas averages approximately 15 days of snow per year with an average yearly snowfall of around 30 inches. I believe that the same is true for eastern Colorado. The odds that the roads are closed are pretty small. However, a good Boy Scout is always prepared.
Well, it’s a 14-hour drive under ideal conditions, as I found out a couple of months ago. I can go any time I want (assuming my bank account cooperates), but I’m planning on February based on some back-of-the-envelope calculations viz how long what’s in my safe is expected to last. My biggest fear was being stranded in Bumwad, Kansas for days on end; I could always change my plans on a moment’s notice, although cancelling my hotel reservations might be problematic.
I don’t know so much about Kansas, but Wyoming has the gates all over the place but I have never actually seen one down. I’ve seen days when the only traffic getting over were big 4x4 trucks with chains and wondered “jeez, if it’s not closed now…” OTOH, places like Washington and California are known for closing mountain passes pretty frequently.
Another thing that you sometimes see out on the plains is when wind acts like God’s own Zamboni on overpasses, they may close the Interstate but route all the traffic along a frontage road that doesn’t have any bridges.
HeyHomie
I got a ticket in “Bumwad” aka Hayes KS coming home from Leadville CO…Thank the FSM he took pity on me and wrote me for just 11 MPH over…$300 later I am again welcome in KS.
As I’m sure you’re aware, the Kansas Highway Patrol and several sets of county mounties are on the lookout for non-CO plates driving along I-70 to/from Denver. They seem to take an uncommon interest in certain souvenirs available only in Colorado. Plan accordingly.
I would not drive in Kansas with souvenirs. I got pulled over in Kansas a few years ago (no souvenirs) simply because I had a CA license plate. They brought in a souvenir-sniffing dog, and held me on the side of the road for 2 hrs.
I had no problem with Missouri plates and a few hundred bucks’ worth of souvenirs. I made extra careful that I didn’t exceed the speed limit at all, obeyed all traffic laws, used my turn signal, etc. Driving home on a Sunday helped - I figured the cops would all be in church (and I’m only half kidding when I say that).
I don’t recall even seeing any cops when I went thru Kansas a few months ago coming directly in from Colorado, then again maybe a Florida Prius isn’t known for picking up souvenirs. Plus I definitely exceeded the speed limit so I wonder if there was a reverse psychology going on. Not sure what speed’s best myself having only gone thru Kansas 3 times.
If you have a FWD or 4WD* and tires with decent tread/grip for the conditions** I don’t think you have to worry about much as long as you know your limitations as a driver in snow & ice and don’t worry about 4WDs in the fast lane doing 70 in a blizzard. It’s not like you are going over the Rockies in an unfamiliar car with bald tires 2 hours before both passes were closed because of the blizzard.***
However despite a car that should make it through the weather OK on flat, straight freeways, there are still “Oh shit!” moments. I’ve slid on ice and it took all of my skill and instinct to not end up off the road. Once there were two of us on the freeway at 5:30 in the morning. He was about 6 feet ahead of me to my right. He was driving straight and just slid. He missed my front bumper by 4 feet, hit the divider and slid BACK missing my rear bumper by the same amount.
If you have a RWD, don’t try it in snow/ice.
** Some tires will actively try to kill you on ice with their compound and tread. I bought my Jeep used and the idiot had cheap-ass Goodyear tires on it so I went car-ice-skating that first week.