The Road to Moab

[RedHeep]

I've got my road trip planned, gas stops, hotel stops, etc. but I don't know how to plan for the mountains.

We're coming across Nebraska into Denver and down. How much worse does the tow rig mileage get? Are there plenty of places to get diesel along the interstate?

The truck only has a 29 gallon tank and we're towing 12k pounds, so I'm concerned. If I get 8 mpg, I need a stop every 200 miles, if we get 6 I need a stop every 150 or so, if it get worse, I'll need a horse and buggy.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

There are plenty of stops in Nebraska for diesel. There are fewer between the Nebraska border and Denver, but there are a few. I like to fill up before I get to CO.

I just did the trip last week (I70 - I76 - I80) from Grand Junction to Chicago and back again. On the way to Chicago I had an empty trailer and on the way back to GJ I was towing my 92 XJ. I got about the same mileage both ways with my F-350 7.3

Diesel was the cheapest in Iowa and Nebraska (about 3.79), and a little bit more in Eastern CO ($3.93ish). Illinois was the highest at $4.19ish.

 

[RedHeep]

There are plenty of stops in Nebraska for diesel. There are fewer between the Nebraska border and Denver, but there are a few. I like to fill up before I get to CO.

I just did the trip last week (I70 - I76 - I80) from Grand Junction to Chicago and back again. On the way to Chicago I had an empty trailer and on the way back to GJ I was towing my 92 XJ. I got about the same mileage both ways with my F-350 7.3

My biggest concern is after denver. My AAA trip planner didn't show a lot of truck stops and just a few gas stations (grand junction, palisades, a few others).

 

[IntrepidXJ]

My biggest concern is after denver. My AAA trip planner didn't show a lot of truck stops and just a few gas stations (grand junction, palisades, a few others).

There is a truck stop in Downieville for sure. With all the oil/gas trucks west of Glenwood Springs, you should be able to find places to fill up in Rifle, Parachute, etc....

 

[Rob Mayercik]

You could always query the truckers via CB too.

 

[RedHeep]

You could always query the truckers via CB too.

Only as a last resort. I should plan well enough that I'm not in a situation where I have to ask someone on the highway where the nearest gas station is. It's 1650 miles one way, I need to be a little more prepared than that.

 

[Cruzin Illusion]

There are plenty of gas stations along I-70 to Moab for diesel. What day are planning on coming thru Denver? If you want you can joint our caravan on Sunday morning. You can make Denver/Golden area to Grand Junction no problem. Then Grand Junction to Moab no problem. From Denver you should only have to stop once before Moab.

 

[RedHeep]

We're staying in golden sunday night and finishing up monday morning.

 

[woody]

Dumb question... why is your route from Richlands to Moab running anywhere near Nebraska?

Last time we went out went 40 > 75N > 65? (road NW twds St Louis) picked up 70 W all the way through to GJ CO.

Way home involved 191 south out of town, katty corner over to Durango, Albuqurque, then 40 E all the way.

Seems like going up to 80 would be way out of the way, unless you have folks to meet or see along that leg.

 

[logdog]

Fill up in Denver. You should make it to Junction with no problem. If your tank seems to have a hole in it...Frisco, Silverthorne, Veil, Eagle, Glenwood, Silt, Rifle......All have diesel pumps. Some even have bio, if your into it. You pay a little more at altitude, but you'll be fine. I pull a 17k pound trailer with my powerstroke regularly over the "hill". Lots of places to get diesel

 

[RedHeep]

Dumb question... why is your route from Richlands to Moab running anywhere near Nebraska?

Last time we went out went 40 > 75N > 65? (road NW twds St Louis) picked up 70 W all the way through to GJ CO.

Way home involved 191 south out of town, katty corner over to Durango, Albuqurque, then 40 E all the way.

Seems like going up to 80 would be way out of the way, unless you have folks to meet or see along that leg.

Have to pick up Nate and his wife and their Jeep in Ohio and drop the kids off at the grandparents.

Our trip really starts early Friday morning, but we're not leaving with both jeeps until Saturday.

Our hometown is about 15 minutes south of I-80 in Ohio.

Besides, who wants to miss the world's largest truck stop?

http://www.iowa80truckstop.com/

 

[markw]

Ha, exit 284, Walcot Iowa? Used to stop there every weekend when I was stationed in Chicago and going home to Des Moines. You won't have any issues after Denver except for the long climb up loveland. Plenty of places for gas/diesel.