driving from ATL to Denver, critique please

[WS6]

Actually, I'm headed to Grand Junction but if I can get to Denver I'll be fine the rest of the way.

My thoughts were to drive to Columbia MO the first day from ATL. I'm thinking 10-11 hours. Day two will be straight in to Denver on I70. I'm expecting that to be 12-13 hours.

I chose Columbia because it is on the other side of St Louis and I don't want to get stuck in traffic first thing in the morning as I try to make Denver in one day from there. I chose Denver or really any of the suburbs around Denver because it doesn't look like there is anywhere in eastern Colorado for me to stay, lol.

I'm just curious to know if anyone has done this and can offer any advice? It's interstate the whole way but is there construction I should know about? How about short cuts or alternate routes so I can avoid congestion possibly? Suggestions on where to stay that are safe? It's just going to be my in my Trailblazer but I like my truck and my stuff that will be in the back. There won't be a trailer or anything else. Anything else I should know?

Thanks

[Happyfunballs]

Anything 20 miles West of STL won't have much traffic heading that direction in the morning. Theres a nice place in Earth City which is directly on 70 if you want to save an hour or so off of your first day. Denver is a 12hr drive from here if I remember correctly.

[wick]

It's a long, boring ride east of Denver. Once you get on the west side of Denver it gets very nice. If you have an hour or two to kill, stop at Red Rocks on the west side of Denver at I-70 and 470.

Where to stay in Denver? IMO I would hit 470 from I-70 and just go a little south just a few miles. You will be at the foothills and the people/neighborhoods are fairly nice there. Denver is not known for their 'Southern hospitality'.

[MoonMan]

Anything 20 miles West of STL won't have much traffic heading that direction in the morning. Theres a nice place in Earth City which is directly on 70 if you want to save an hour or so off of your first day. Denver is a 12hr drive from here if I remember correctly.


Exactly what I was going to suggest. If you're looking to shave some time off the first day stop in Earth City, St. Charles or St. Peters for the night. You won't hit any traffic in the morning going west (everyone's going east) and you'll be to Columbia in an hour 15 mins.

Can't comment on "safe" places in Columbia as I usually just stop there for a bathroom break when I go to KC as it's exactly half way. Made the trip two weeks ago and there was no major construction on 70. It's a college town for what it's worth...

[trex1270]

be prepared for a boring ride through kansas and easten colorado....I like it because I can see 10 miles in any direcection, not to mention kansas is home. you'll start to see the mountains a couple hours before denver...if it were me Id push past kc on first day to make it an easy drive on day 2...

[Rhino]

70 will take you through downtown Kansas City. As long as you avoid it during rush hour you'll have smooth sailing all the way to Denver.

Central and Western KS (starting around Salina) will be a very monotonous, boring drive. :)

[Draginutz]

There is a nice marriott on I-25 and lincoln ave. (south denver) When I get west of limon I take exit 352 to 86 and go until you hit I-25. Then head north to lincoln ave. Then in the morning you can take i-25 north just a few miles and get onto 470 west to I 70. PM me if you want, I live southeast of denver. Whats in Grand Junction?

[WS6]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm going to look into the suggestions and also look into priceline or something. I like to save money as often as possible. I figured Kansas was rather boring and knew eastern Colorado was empty. I was praying I wouldn't end up in eastern Colorado or Wyoming for work. I'd do it even if I did because I have to start somewhere and life's an adventure.

Pete, I've accepted a job with Halliburton. I'll be station in Grand Junction.

Anyone else? I don't leave until the 26th or 27th of June so I have time.

[shep]

I would personally rather drive across Kansas at night not much to see out there anyway. There is always road construction on I70 between KC and Salina has been for several years they will have parts of it down to 1 lane in each direction for several miles. I agree I would push to the west side of KC the first day as well, maybe even as far as Topeka. Google says it is only a little over 3 hours from Columbia.

[mc84_zz4]

IF you have some time to kill, on the fast west side of Denver is Morrison CO, the Morrison Bar a bikers-welcome hangout (non Harleys are welcome too), but plenty of yuppies, workers, and College students. Great food and a 300 shot bar menu.
403 Bear Creek Avenue, Morrison, CO‎ -

Further west. up the same road, (Bear Creek Rd, aka Hwy 74) is Evergreen, CO (do NOT attempt to drive in bad conditions, very twisty dark road), Evergreen is about 10 miles west, as you enter town is Little Bear Saloon, known for "if you don't get picked up here, you won't get picked up anywhere", usually a rowdy crowd, you can carve on the bar if you tip well, the music is pretty good, and it is also famous for girls leaving their bras on the rafters. Watchout for the 60 year olds wowing the crowd... :barf:
I lived in Denver 6 years, made friends anywhere, the biker crowd are pretty good folks, and very diverse; from roughnecks to doctors, from lawyers to plumbers.

OR

If you would prefer a more tame experience, downtown Denver has great brew pubs that make their own beer, plenty of sports bars, specially surrounding Coors Field (Just off I 25 on 20th St).
Right smack off I-25 and Colfax Ave is 16th street, a pedestrian zone, on the far West end of it is Rock Bottom brewery, Wynkoop Brewery, food is great, the beer is even better. Every block east on 16th street has Restaurant, another one I remember is Paramount.

Congrats on the new job, take your time on the road trip.

[Draginutz]

Are you on the road yet?

[WS6]

lol nope! Apparently I took the wrong drug test so it had to be redone. I got set back a week. I'll be leaving this Friday morning from ATL. Should be pulling into GJ late Sunday afternoon. I hope the traffic won't be terrible with this being a holiday weekend. I intend to leave out early ~7am both days. That should help me get ahead of all the traffic

[Randy67]

You could make Kansas City pretty easy if you want. In 2008 I made it from Topeka to Loganville in 11.5 hours, driving 70-75 mph. It definitely is boring out in the midwest, bring some good music to listen to. Good luck on your trip.

[MoparCar]

I'm from Denver area and the I-70 traffic up the mountains going west will be brutal during the holiday weekend. Both Friday night and Saturday morning. Try to offset this to odd times. It's a beautiful drive up the mountains, but during morning hours it will jam up especially on a holiday weekend. Most of my coworkers are heading to the mountains either Friday afternoon/night or Saturday morning. Monday Sunday/Monday afternoon will be wicked coming down going east if that applies.

Good luck-the I-70 mountain corridor sucks during most weekends. It's either skiers or campers/outdoors going both ways.

Wes

[Draginutz]

If your around golden, CO on satruday night you should check this out.
http://www.goldensupercruise.com/

It's always a good time.

[WS6]

Thanks Pete. I may make it there Saturday night actually. Hopefully it won't be hard to find a hotel room in the immediate area.

Wes, I'll be heading out of Denver over the mountains Sunday morning. I gave myself plenty of time to go through the mountains so I could sight see. Sounds like I may be doing that whether I wanted to or not.

Glad to hear that Randy. I'm shooting for St Louis at a minimum and KC at a maximum. I think I'll make it.

[MoparCar]

Sunday should be the best day for driving up the mountains. Less traffic.
We're supposed to have great weather this weekend. Enjoy the wonderful mountains. Grand Junction is really nice also. Glenwood Canyon is beautiful before Grand Junction on I-70. GJ sometimes has a nice Mopar only car show over the 4th ( I know---not everyone likes Mopars....). Not sure about this weekend.

Wes

[WS6]

Thanks Wes. Does Gj have any other car related stuff?

[Tony_SS]

It took me about 12 hrs to drive from Macon GA to St. Louis. (Atlanta is traffic is nuts compared to St. Louis!) Like mentioned, anywhere 10 mins west of St. Louis is good to stay.. St. Charles, St. Peters, right off of 70.

[WS6]

Thanks . I actually made it all the way to Lawrence KS. I blew right through KC and didn't know it nor wanted to turn around. So onward hoooooooooooooooo! 13 hours and I'm tired. Proud of my 4.2 TB though. I pulled over 22 mpg out of it.

My destination for tomorrow is Golden. I want to attend the car show. If anyone wants to meet up or can give me food suggestions, lodging choices, etc in Golden, call me. I don't have one of those fancy smart phones and I don't text, lol.

(!@- four two nine- zero #*#