stupid question, but I often opt for the I70 for getting from the Golden area to hikes near Buena Vista or Fairplay, although google maps indicates the 285 is faster. I am usually driving at weird dark hours and am most worried about having a good, safe, wide road, and the I-70 really isn't so bad without traffic.
so for those who drive the 285, is it also a pretty decent road for hesitant night time drivers? or, much more curvy/poorly lit/remote/sketchy for whatever reason ?
i somehow always feel that the drive to the trailhead is by far when im at most danger on a hike... :/
I70 vs US 285
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cdonnelly0626
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Re: I70 vs US 285
If 285 is faster, I'll take that, even at night. Its totally fine at night. A lot of is either multi-lanes or in South Park, where you have lots of visibility. If nothing else, you'll use less gas taking 285.
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'Life is too short to ski groomers'
"That man's only desire was to stand, once only, on the summit of that glorious wedge of rock...I think anyone who loves the mountains as much as that can claim to be a mountaineer, too."-Hermann Buhl, Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage
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12ersRule
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Re: I70 vs US 285
Do Coloradoans put a "the" in front of the road number, or is that just a California thing? I haven't heard too many Coloradoans say that before.
Anyway, if you're avoiding the peak traffic, and you don't like windiness, then you'll definitely prefer 70.
You usually have company on 285 too, but the downhill part to Denver is twice as long. Grant -> Conifer is a PITA with speed traps. There's a lot more peaks off 285 to tag though.
Anyway, if you're avoiding the peak traffic, and you don't like windiness, then you'll definitely prefer 70.
You usually have company on 285 too, but the downhill part to Denver is twice as long. Grant -> Conifer is a PITA with speed traps. There's a lot more peaks off 285 to tag though.
Last edited by 12ersRule on Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Derby Ale
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Re: I70 vs US 285
My take is do whatever makes you comfortable. I don't mind driving on 285, but in winter months it seems to be a bit more treacherous at times with blowing snow and less frequent plowing. In the summer months, it seems like I ALWAYS end up behind some Semi doing 50 the whole way with nowhere to pass. But for BV, I typically take 285.
As for I-70, I agree that it's not so bad. The problem is that when it IS bad, it can be anywhere from 3-7 hours from Silverthorne, which is beyond painful.
As for I-70, I agree that it's not so bad. The problem is that when it IS bad, it can be anywhere from 3-7 hours from Silverthorne, which is beyond painful.
Re: I70 vs US 285
unless they widen 285 from Jefferson to Grant in order to accommodate for slow trailers, campers, and RVs, i don't recommend this route
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Dave B
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Re: I70 vs US 285
I think you're only supposed to put "the" in front of a highway number if you're in California (12ners beat me to it)cdonnelly0626 wrote:
so for those who drive the 285
With that said, 285 is prettier IMO.
Make wilderness less accessible.
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cdonnelly0626
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Re: I70 vs US 285
you caught me, i've spent many more years living in CA than CO, sorry!
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LURE
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Re: I70 vs US 285
Def just a California thing.12ersRule wrote:Do Coloradoans put a "the" in front of the road number, or is that just a California thing? I haven't heard too many Coloradoans say that before.
Also, Coloradans*
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mtn_hound
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Re: I70 vs US 285
I like 285 so much better it had honestly never occurred to me to take I70 to BV, no matter what the conditions, but google maps puts it only 10 minutes longer than 285 so I guess if you really don't like that road it makes sense.
And putting "the" in front of freeways is socal only, although I get it if you consider the entire state an extension of LA at this point
And putting "the" in front of freeways is socal only, although I get it if you consider the entire state an extension of LA at this point
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Tornadoman
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Re: I70 vs US 285
I would take 285 for Fairplay/BV hikes over I-70 almost any time. Overall I find the drive to be quicker and less mileage so you will save gas as well. Some of the sections near Fairplay is so open and if there is no traffic (i.e. early morning) you can really cruise in that area...
Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.
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madbuck
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Re: I70 vs US 285
With no significant weather or delays, 285 is quite a nice drive...one of my first visits/impressions of CO was driving to Gunnison on a clear winter night down 285, enjoying the snow and mountain views near South Park.
OTOH, on a different trip, the road was horribly ice-packed, and honestly my tires and alignment sucked, so bad that the car wobbled at speed that I turned around to buy new tires in Silverthorne. (It was my first winter here and since then of course I've realized that good tires are paramount in winter).
OTOOH, the worst part of I-70 with weather is other idiots (such as a younger version of myself with questionable tires), especially with large differentials in speed and skill between drivers, and cars that have a hard time keeping momentum uphill in snowpack. So despite having 2-way traffic on 285, other cars (when it's busy and conditions degrade) feel like way more of a threat on I-70.
Clear roads: I'd go with 285
Otherwise, depends on traffic and 'how bad'
OTOH, on a different trip, the road was horribly ice-packed, and honestly my tires and alignment sucked, so bad that the car wobbled at speed that I turned around to buy new tires in Silverthorne. (It was my first winter here and since then of course I've realized that good tires are paramount in winter).
OTOOH, the worst part of I-70 with weather is other idiots (such as a younger version of myself with questionable tires), especially with large differentials in speed and skill between drivers, and cars that have a hard time keeping momentum uphill in snowpack. So despite having 2-way traffic on 285, other cars (when it's busy and conditions degrade) feel like way more of a threat on I-70.
Clear roads: I'd go with 285
Otherwise, depends on traffic and 'how bad'
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madbuck
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Re: I70 vs US 285
Yeah, SoCal thing.LURE wrote:Def just a California thing.12ersRule wrote:Do Coloradoans put a "the" in front of the road number, or is that just a California thing? I haven't heard too many Coloradoans say that before.
Also, Coloradans*
Just like (seen in another thread), calling California "Cali" --> you're not from California
