We will be in Vegas for the winter!!

[Exnavydiver]

We got the call that we can arrive anytime at the Clark County Shooting Complex. Soooo my question is: Which is the best route to Vegas from Omaha? I-80 through Salt Lake and 15 down, or I-80 to I-76 through Denver and on to I-15 in Utah and then down to Vegas on I-15? Keep in mind that I would prefer to avoid as many hard mountains as possible. I know that the Denver route will be a hard tow but it has been 41 yrs since I drove through Salt Lake and that was after midnight heading east on 80. I don't remember many mountains on that trip but I was driving at the upper limit of my RX-2 Mazda and was past Nebraska by dawn. Obviously I won't be moving even half that fast this trip and it will ALL be during day light. Any help will be appreciated.

[helmick]

Dave
Last month we drove Omaha to Vegas byway of Salt Lake City, to me it was an easy drive.
We have also did the Omaha,Denver to Vegas route, about 80 miles closer, a lot more fuel being used on the grades. If it was me I would take the Salt Lake City route. I'm sure sombody will be along to disagree with me.
Ron

[CamillaMichael]

It's a terrible place to be, but you have to be somewhere! Enjoy.

[snfexpress]

I'd drop down to 40 because it is getting chilly up north. Head for Albuquerque and then to Las Vegas. Easy up and over and temps will be moderate.

Otherwise, 80 to Salt Lake, as said, is a good option.

Oh, and we're from Reno.

[8.1al]

Congratulations on the job.As others have said I-80 through Salt Lake City unless the weather is bad, then do as Michael suggested. Where are you going to stay in Vegas?

[BB_TX]

I have only driven a small part of I-80 east of Salt Lake City. There is one pass just east of the city, but I don't remember it being too bad, unless snow of course. There is some winding around thru the mountains between Evanston, WY and Salt Lake City.
If you want to avoid the mountains all together then drop down to I-40 and take it west. I believe US 81 from I-80 to I-40 at OKC (via I-35) is 4 lane divided all the way. Only climb that way is on I-40 at Flagstaff but that is not bad at all. Not really a pass, just a climb up to Flag at 7,000' and down the other side. And it would put you quite a bit farther south and lower elevations in case of a weather system moving in.
You could also take I-80 to I-25 at Denver and south to I-40. Only real pass that way is Raton Pass. Not a bad one at all.

[helmick]

Dave
Check out the ten day weather for Evanston, WY. I-40 might be your best route. I'm not sure of your time frame.

[DQDick]

The weather is great on I-40 right now.

[Exnavydiver]

Charlie, we are going to be work camping at the CCSC ( Clark County Shooting Complex) it sounds like a sweet deal. The trip is going to take between 5 and 7 days depending on our daily road time.

[Jay Bird]

Congratulations on the new job and enjoy

[Mynabird]

We would also recommend going down south to I - 40. That way you "should" not have to worry about the weather man's accuracy on their predictions!

There are several long grades in Wyoming (on 80) also! Of course, if you get a tail-wind there that would not be bad!

[wingerphil]

Dave,

Didn't you get enough "policing up the brass" when in the service?

Afraid I can't help you with the route but wanted to wish you good luck on the job, sounds like a fun place to hang out.

Phil

[Gkerlin]

In terms of the grades, you are probably close going either I80/I15 vs I80/76/25/40. Both are pretty tame I also think that this time of year the weather should still be reasonably tame on 80 although on 40 you have a better guarantee.

IMO those criteria make both routes almost a wash.

Don't forget that If you are going to be taking a week or so, that part of the trip is the journey and what is along the way. Finding an interesting place to spend each night makes the trip more fun. Throwing that into the mix might help you choose a route. Check out the towns along the way, the State Parks (if you like us prefer those over RV Parks), Theres things I like and dislike about both routes but IMHO either way you go will be a good route.

[lasater]

Our last five years of government service was with the Corps of Engineers in Omaha. We made several trips from Omaha to the Las Vegas area. We used 2 different routes - totally dependent on the weather.

Route 1: I80 to I-15 (at Salt Lake City) to Lost Wages. (1275 miles).

Route 2 (when the snows hit): Us 75 to Topeka, I235 to Wichita, US 54 to Tucumcari, NM; I40 to Kingman, AZ; and US 93 to Vegas. (1480 miles)

This southern route is longer but has less mountains, less snow, and less curves.

The Clark Range RV Park has 80 FHU with 50 AMPs. It should be a fun gig since all others are limited to 14 day stays.

Good luck and have fun.

[DQDick]

Safe travels and enjoy the job. Not something I could do, however. A free spot wouldn't cover my living expenses (losses) out there.

[jrhaman]

Can't say much as to which route to take but we will be at the Shooting Complex Jan 1 or maybe a few days earlier for 3 months or so. See you there.

Jesse

[Exnavydiver]

Looking forward to meeting another MOC member on our first workamping job..