Rapid City to Lake Havasu

[Twotoes]

I will be traveling from Rapid City to Lake Havasu at the end of Sept. Not sure if I should take I-70 west from Denver (going thru the Eisenhower tunnel) to I-15 south thru Las Vegas or stay on 
I-25 south from Denver to I-40 West at Albuquerque. I’m a little worried about the weather on I-70. Your thoughts? I will be driving a Class A DP towing a Jeep Wrangler. 

[Zulu]

When we do this (also in Sept), we go South -- I-25.

[Jim & Alice]

We have done a similar trip every Fall... Very pleasant time to travel.   For late September, I would think 'weather' and avoid higher elevations.   The route for us in that case would be to leave Rapid City (Hart Ranch), going South on US 79 - US 385 to Sidney, NE, then I-80 to North Platte, NE... then South on US 83 to Liberal, KS... where we would get on US 54... then go South to I-40 arriving at Santa Rosa,  NM, staying a couple days R & R.   In your case, from Santa Rosa, it is a nice drive on I-40 thru New Mexico, Flagstaff, then Lake Havasu.   

I figure the advantage of the 'Plains Route' US-83 is a Fall trip thru southern South Dakota, then a Fall trip thru Nebraska and Kansas... lots of harvesting going on, and even some color.   We used to boondock the overnights, but over the years we have found some nice, quiet, easy pull-thru Parks to stay in as we go, especially in Santa Rosa.   Good luck with things!

Edited September 6, 2020 by Jim & Alice

[Barbaraok]

Definitely go the plains route.   For example, Denver is scheduled for SNOW on Tuesday.   You don't say what month, but if November or later, check the weather when you get to Santa Rosa and if necessary head down to I-10 and then take AZ 95 north just before you get to the Colorado River. 

Oops, I missed the September travel.   Then you won't have any problems coming clear across I-40 - - except for the rough payment from Flagstaff to Kingman.   Will rattle any fillings in your teeth - - and we have air bags cushioning our ride.

Edited September 6, 2020 by Barbaraok

[Bill Joyce]

"going South on US 79 - US 385 to Sidney, NE"

I can recommend starting with this route, the roads were great when we took this in 2019.  (We also stayed at the Cabelas campground in Sidney). We had reasons to visit Colorado Springs, so we braved Denver and it was no fun.

[Barbaraok]

Colorado Springs clear up to Cheyenne isn't fun anymore.  Use to be long stretches between cities, now just wall to wall people, shopping centers, and traffic!

Edited September 7, 2020 by Barbaraok

[Twotoes]

3 hours ago, Barbaraok said:

Colorado Springs clear up to Cheyenne isn't fun anymore.  Use to be long stretches between cities, now just wall to wall people, shopping centers, and traffic!

Is there a route from Cheyenne to Colorado Springs without going thru Denver?

[rynosback]

They would keep 70 as clear as it can get as it is a major route.

Edited September 7, 2020 by rynosback

[rynosback]

38 minutes ago, Twotoes said:

Is there a route from Cheyenne to Colorado Springs without going thru Denver?

As my Mom says, “If you want to go around your elbow to get to your a@@“ there is. But you will be on much smaller roads and are not maintained like 70 and 25 will be. I’m in Denver right now and I plan on taking 25 S from here.

[2gypsies]

42 minutes ago, Twotoes said:

Is there a route from Cheyenne to Colorado Springs without going thru Denver?

You could take I-80 east to Hwy 71 south to Limon then 24 into Colorado Springs. A little out of your way but we've done that often to avoid big cities.  If you have the time, why not?  It's a lot more pleasurable way to drive.

[Kirk W]

2 hours ago, Twotoes said:

Is there a route from Cheyenne to Colorado Springs without going thru Denver?

Not without going far out of your way. In the 18 years that we lived in Cheyenne, we made that trip numerous times and we have a few times since. It is by far the best way to get there in terms of distance but there are more scenic routes that take far longer by going west and through the mountains, or you could bo east as suggested by 2gypsies and make what would be a 170 mile trip into one of 285 miles. If you do choose to go that way, I suggest that you take US34 south through Greeley and join 71 in Brush, which makes it about 260 miles.  You could also go west into the mountains at Loveland or possibly Boulder and avoid Denver that way too.

So there are several options that would avoid Denver, but none that are very practical. 

[Barbaraok]

You take the E-470S loop that goes around the easy side of Denver instead of I-25 straight through, hopefully on a Sunday with decent weather.

Or, if you have some time, take state highway 79 out of Rapid  City south to the state line and pick up US 385 south to LaMar CO, the US-287 south to Amarillo and pick up I-40 heading west.   Lots of little towns with public parks to stay in on the way down.