canyonier Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 On Sat. August 1 we plan to leave San Diego with our 5th-wheel and head to Sault Ste Marie, Mich. At the moment I am planning the first part of the trip, San Diego to North Platte, Neb.(I want to see that huge train yard). Here is the route I have tentatively planned: San Diego - I-15 - I-70 - Wolcott, CO - Steamboat Springs - Laramie - North Platte. An alternate would be from San Diego - Monument Valley - Moab - Wolcott, CO - Steamboat Springs - Laramie - North Platte. I have several questions for you folks: (Assume we take the I-15 route) 1. I won't be able to leave San Diego until about 9:00am, Sat. August 1. That should get us to The I-15 & I-215 junction at Cajon Pass at around noon (Saturday). I know there has been a lot of I-15 road construction in that area. Do you think it will be a tolerable drive with our trailer on a Saturday at around noon? (I ask because I usually leave SD at around 2:00 am just to get thru Riverside, Corona, Cajon Pass before traffic picks up). 2. I hate driving I-15 thru Las Vegas either with or without our trailer. We usually go thru during mid-day. My plan for this trip is to spend Saturday night (Aug 1) at Oasis RV park just south of Las Vegas airport. Then early Sunday morning, say 6:00am at the latest, leave the RV park to drive I-15 north and get thru the city before traffic starts. How does that sound? Or is 6:00am a bad time? Any other suggestions? 3. Here are the RV parks where we may stop for the night. I selected them from my trip planning software, RV Trip Wizard. If you have other suggestions, please offer them. A. Salina, Utah - Butch Cassidy Campground B. Grand Jct., Colo. - Junction West RV Park C. Glenwood Springs, Colo. - Amis Acres (want to sit in the Glenwood Springs hot pool) D. Steamboat Springs, Colo. - Eagle Soaring RV Park (have never been to Steamboat Springs, another chance to sit in hot pool) E. Cheyenne, Wyo. - KOA Cheyenne F. North Platte, Neb. - Holiday RV Park That's the plan. Hope I can get reservations at the RV park in Steamboat Springs. If I cannot, do you have alternate suggestions. OR Perhaps you think the route thru Moab, Utah instead of going up I-15 would be better. If so, please suggest it. Also, please think of a route for us to take from North Platte to Sault Ste Marie, Mich. I will be posting a request for that on this same forum. My main wants are: stay away from cities and stay away from traffic congestion. I love driving local roads, state and US highways instead of the Interstates. I know I have asked for a lot of info. Please help me out if you can. Thanks, Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Corey Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 I have done the areas you suggest, but can't relate to getting up at 2 am, or 6 am to avoid traffic. Sounds a like you're on a power, get-there trip. For us, RVing is fun travel. Fix some snacks, make some coffee, freeze some water bottles, and travel a more normal schedule. If in traffic, look around at those who are in cars without amenities. FWIW, i am returning today from San Diego, after coming from Riverside, so I have some idea of the territory. And the railroad yards in North Platte are incredible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canyonier Posted June 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 Jim, No, I'm not in a hurry except to just get thru Las Vegas. I truly dread driving thru that city. Once through there, I can relax. I plan to put on some miles the first 2 or 3 days until I get to around Grand Junction. Then just a few miles a day is OK with me. As long as I get to Sault Ste Marie by August 24. As for leaving at 2:00am, I rather enjoy it. If going north on I-15 it puts me thru Riverside/Corona before the rush hour and at Peggy Sue's Diner near Barstow about when they open. Take a good nap in their huge parking lot, eat breakfast, and enjoy the rest of the trip, that is, except for the dread of driving thru Las Vegas. I've been thru southern Utah quite a few times, but never traveled I-15. I always take US-89, Utah 12 or ?. I love that area, but this time I tell myself to get to Colorado quickly and spend the time visiting places I haven't seen before. Thanks for your response. Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotoes Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 I used to live in San Diego and my son used to live in Omaha. I took I-15 past Vegas to I-70 to Denver and then I-76 to I-80 into NE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobi and Dick McKee Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 You can avoid going through most of La$ Vegas by taking the 215 west around the town. The 215 crosses I 15 just south of town and will dump you back on I 15 at the NASCAR track. It will take about 20 minutes longer but you will avoid the congestion of downtown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Your Colorado route sounds good and it's all new territory for you. Go for it! If you're not on a schedule and want to avoid big cities, there are always secondary roads you can pick up even if it adds miles. You don't have to find a circular road around the city but plan way ahead and do angles, etc. Treat it as more site seeing. Have a great trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whj469 Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 No smoking pot in CO. It is legal there now. When I told my better half that I was going to CO to smoke legal pot she told that I would be going alone. I told her that I would take our daughter and she responded that she, daughter, would go with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Alice Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Looking ahead to Sault Ste Marie, Mich, one of the major route decisions you will have to make is traveling thru Wisconsin, or thru Michigan via Chicago. Both have pro's and con's. Michigan has a very pretty coastal road, US 31, that tracks along some beautiful Lake Michigan sandy shorelines, small towns, parks. The Mackinac Bridge connects the Southern Peninsula with the Northern Peninsula, very pretty but built in 1957 - Hence a very narrow 5-mile long transit. To go this route requires getting past Chicago using I-80... a stretch busier than most LA freeways. There may be routes that veer south of I-80, but we have discovered none yet that are suitable. When you put your 'formal' query up on N. Platte to Sault Ste Marie, Mich, I will be interested in what the responses are. Safe travels Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 I'd suggest getting up on Hwy 2 and taking it across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Sault Ste. Marie. From Sault Ste. Marie the OP will have to go somewhere (unless he lives there). So it would be advisable to travel the coastline. The western coastline is better in my opinion. I hope he begins that portion of his trip after Labor Day. It will still be busy but not like during the summer. Definitely check out Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore. We volunteered there 9 seasons - at Platte River Campground and also on South Manitou Island giving lighthouse tours. It holds a special place for us and it absolutely gorgeous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Alice Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 I'd suggest getting up on Hwy 2 and taking it across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Sault Ste. Marie. From Sault Ste. Marie the OP will have to go somewhere (unless he lives there). So it would be advisable to travel the coastline. The western coastline is better in my opinion. I hope he begins that portion of his trip after Labor Day. It will still be busy but not like during the summer. Definitely check out Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore. We volunteered there 9 seasons - at Platte River Campground and also on South Manitou Island giving lighthouse tours. It holds a special place for us and it absolutely gorgeous. 2gypsies, I would absolutely agree with all you wrote! Before retirement, we 'did' everything you mentioned except Manitou Island. I think our most favorite... was the Platte river where it flows into Lake Michigan. Best wishes to Canyonier... HB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scouserl41 Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 I try to avoid I5/I15 completely. For me going inland and around by the Salton Sea to join I15 further east is easier. Some steep hills going up/down to Borrego Springs but manageable in our 37' coach towing the Fiesta, it won't cure your Vegas headache but picking the right time of day and going 215 might ease things. East thru Arizona (Cheap Gas and reachable on 1/2 tank from SD) then north east of Vegas? Enjoy the trip BnB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronmon Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 The railroad yard in North Platte is a "must see" experience. The observation tower had retired railroaders explainingthe whole thing. Our 14 year old grandson didn't want to leave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyretired Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Early Sunday morning should be a good time to get thru Vegas. I think you have that planned as well as possible. There are a few hills on I70 thru Utah but it usually isn't heavy with traffic. I haven't stayed at Junction West in Grand Junction but I hear it is good. Grand Junction can be hot in the summer. It is 93 right now. Cools quickly as elevations climb. If you have time while in Grand Junction a quick drive up Colo 65 is pleasant. Largest flat top mountain at 10,000ft. 240 lakes or better described as ponds. Snow will still be visible until about July. It is about 40 minutes from Grand Junction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSeas Posted June 10, 2015 Report Share Posted June 10, 2015 Also a reminder.... Major construction on I15 between Devore (I15 / I215 interchange) and top of Cajon Pass and with it comes some delays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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