Route from Cleveland to Moab, Utah

Sharon_is_SAM

Next month we head out on our first big adventure with the TaB.  I wanted to share our tentative route and ask for comments and suggestions.  To make time, it is essentially all interstate, as we do not plan to stop for a visit anywhere except in Albuquerque.  We know we will need to watch the weather for incoming storms and reroute as necessary.  I would appreciate any ideas of areas to avoid or I did that and wished I hadn't!  Please chime in.  We have not crossed the country in anything but a plane in 20 years!

Edited:  See below for route!

Thanks,

Sharon

jkjenn

@SAM If you have to pick between I-70 and I-80 between CLE and Denver, I prefer I-80. There is a super strong headwind you drive into all of the way across the plains on I-70 and it seems rougher on your TV and mileage...and it is a little more boring. The caveat here, is watch the weather. Either route could have serious snow at that time of year. The same is actually true for I-40. Meteorologist Joe Bastardi is predicting a cold March.

Personally, I also like I-80 because there are more Wal-Mart's where overnight parking is allowed aloong the route.

If you drop down, which it sounds like you are, to I-40, it is a treat once you get out of TX/OK. You can take old RT 66 through the Petrified Forest and that should not be missed. 

LSkrabut

Take a look at US 36 from Decatur to Denver. In Missouri,  4 lane highway with like 1 stop light, instead of I-80 or I-70. Sure it is a bit slower, but lot less traffic (trucks )

Verna

The two to four land US highways are great!  US 67 goes diagonally across Arkansas and becomes I-30 at Little Rock, Arkansas

Sharon_is_SAM

It would help if I remembered to include the route:)

I-70 West to St. Louis, I-44 West to Oklahoma City, I-40 West to Albuquerque then onto Gallup, lastly US 491 and 191 N to Moab.

Verna

I love 191 into Moab!

jkjenn

Verna said:

I love 191 into Moab!

Ditto. That is a nice route via the Canyons of the Ancients highway. I was amazed at how far away you could see Shiprock. There will be snow in the mountains (hopefully) - should be beautiful. Moab in winter is on my to do list.

BigBlue

We camped over Thanksgiving break just outside of Moab (at Dead Horse Point State Park) and it was awesome... minimal crowds and temps in the high 50s. Highly recommend!

Sharon_is_SAM

One of our camp sites will be at Dead Horse.  We are going in March to hopefully beat the crowds

LSkrabut

For an out of a way camp site, both a NF CG (no electric, but water and dump in season), or boon-dock just beyond (plenty of firewood nearby on the ground), take a look at Devils Canyon CG just north of Blanding, UT. There are many things to do, hike or drive to and not nearly as crowded as places near Moab (66 Miles north). It will be cooler/colder there, 7K elevation. Its where I head for in the spring/fall months. The dirt roads around here are in great shape for lower ground clearance vehicles. Find Montezuma Creek Road on the map and drive that one, you will like it for sure (dirt).

Sharon_is_SAM

Thanks.  We are also staying near Blanding.  Good to know what to expect for temperatures.

ChaseTheLight

Hey fellow Clevelanders nice to hear about your Moab trip. I’m going in May but via Delta. New 400 owner but won’t feel sufficiently ready for a long trip in May. I’m going on a photo journey.  Look forward to you posts and experiences!

Sharon_is_SAM

ChaseTheLight, we are very excited and hope we have thought of everything!  It has been a long time for this long of a drive and never with a trailer.  Really looking forward to Utah.  We picked up our TaB this past April, so not too far ahead of your learning curve.  

WilliamA

Sam,
Using the old sailors term "beating to windward" describes getting from Missouri to New Mexico!  Never have figured out how the wind is in your grill no matter which direction you're pointed in that part of the country.  Sounds like you've done your homework.  If I had to make any suggestions, the drive from Amarillo to Roswell(hwy 70) to Socorro (hwy 380) is pretty spectacular.  It's 2 lane but good road and rivals old route 66 for scenery.  It also goes by the Trinity Site and the Very Large Array.  It crosses the lava beds as well if you enjoy geology.  Turn north on I-25 at Socorro (after seeing the VLA) to get back up to I-40.  If you haven't done I-40 across New Mexico in awhile, it's pretty spectacular too.  Watch the weather!  Subject to change without notice!

WilliamA

PITPAT

The Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa is a great place for a free overnight stay. Large paved lot for RV parking with hourly security driveby. Several restaurants inside, free wifi and great people watching for your evening's entertainment! I usually stop here coming and going from Pittsburgh to Arizona every winter.

Sharon_is_SAM

Jenn, we will skip Gallup and head north out of Albuquerque through Cortez, CO, and will definitely not miss the Trail of the Ancients.  

WilliamA - maybe we can check out the I70/380 route on the return.  If the TaB had wings, my husband would be flying direct!  Going to be hard to convince him to take any detours on this trip.

Thanks PittPatt - we are just now figuring where to stop.  As we are not camping in transit, I am anxious about stashing the TaB somewhere safe.  The casino would let us stay hitched and not have to go out and find a restaurant at night.

LSkrabut

I have traveled quite a bit between Moab and Albuquerque, take a look at NM 550 to head toward Bloomfield, then NM 64 over to get to 4 corners area, instead of I-40. Nice 4 lane road, a bit slower (65MPH for the most part) but hauling at TT or not, still my preferred way to get to Alb. from Utah.

Also if running I-70 east, look at UT 128 between Moab and Cisco, mostly follows the Colorado river. A bit less others running @ 80MPH on I-70  .

Sharon_is_SAM

LSKrabut thanks - 550 to 64 to 491 it is.  We decided to get off 40 in Albuquerque.  Slow is good.  We don't go much over 62 or 63 mph.
Our last camp site is Goblin, so I think we will exit straight north to 70 East and head home.  

Sure glad I took the time to ask about our routing!  It paid off!

Thanks everybody.

LSkrabut

I hope you have a chance to drive on Moki Dugway (south end UT261) and UT95 from Blanding to Hanksville. Moki Dugway might not be a good idea if you have the T@B behind you at that point (3 miles of dirt with 11 switchback climb of 1100') But at its base, Valley of the Gods (dirt) and Muley Point on top are roads and scenery  to remember Utah by. These road are best taken slow and pull off a lot and see everything around ya ). Myself and wife tend to stay away from Moab (too crowded), while as great as it is, so much more of Utah and its solitude, most tend to miss.

Sharon_is_SAM

I have heard about Moki Dugway.  Is it passable in a minivan?  

LSkrabut

About 3 miles of well graded dirt road. But with many sharp switchbacks climbing 1100'. Advised for only vehicles less than 28' in length.  I seen TV's pulling TT. Cars alone, no problem, I would use caution pulling a T@B, but possible. 

Myself I would visit that area as a day trip. Valley of the Gods,  Muley Point and Moki Dugway are all well taken care of dirt roads.

Sharon_is_SAM

Will not be taking the TaB anywhere near any switchbacks!  So, how about guardrails?  Are there guardrails?

LSkrabut

Guard rails, not really Myself I was never felt like I would be running off the road, one should go slow, 15mph or less, but I have seen others who seem to fly up and down that 3 mile section.

Best advise is to search the web for YouTube shots of this great section of road. Again to me, hate to miss out on going on it. I been known to turn around and do it again, and I been on this with Jeep, car and motorcycle, once in a slightly wet condition.

jkjenn

SAM said:

Will not be taking the TaB anywhere near any switchbacks!  So, how about guardrails?  Are there guardrails?

Sam, it's a super wide road and help me go about 5 miles an hour. I don't think there were guardrails.

LSkrabut

Check the history of Moki Dugway. Built in the 50's for trucks hauling down full of loads of copper and uranium tailings from Happy Jack mine, which is somewhat close to Hite on then the Colorado river,  now Lake Powell. Much more written on the web, worth ones time to read up more of this area. Still the views are outstanding. 

Back to guardrails, most if not all the way, there is dirt built up 1-2'. The width is wide enough for vehicles to pass,  as long as drivers maintain themselves to their side of the road, let the passingers do the sightseeing...

Side note,  while getting close to the base, just try to find the road as it winds up the cliff. Then once up or at pull offs, look down as one wonders how they put this road in.

Sharon_is_SAM

OK, I watched the YouTube.  Jenn, what kind of flat lander are you anyway...that road did not look wide to me:)

jkjenn

SAM said:

OK, I watched the YouTube.  Jenn, what kind of flat lander are you anyway...that road did not look wide to me:)

A misplaced one.

Sharon_is_SAM

Well, tomorrow we depart on our great adventure Cleveland to Utah!  We had some unexpected weather and the TaB was initiated to snow.  All clear now and it looks like it will be a pleasant drive.  Discovered a broken charge wire on the van and had it repaired last week.  Kind of essential when you are using a RF brake controller!  We kind of measured the tongue weight using a bathroom scale and a small board, but I am not convinced of the accuracy.  I think we will stop along the road and have it weighed.  I feel like we are as ready as can be, but we will have the forum in our back pocket!  Wish us luck!  I will share some trip pics along the way.

Sharon

jkjenn

Be safe and keep us posted!

manny

@SAM .. was in moab last sept. lots of crowds but was ok..  Arches and Cayonlands NP.  very nice ...   watch the gas gauge from new mex. to moab  ...gas stations are few along 191 to Moab.. Have a safe trip....

Sharon_is_SAM

Thanks Jenn.  Good advice Manny - will make a note.