I'm driving out soon from SC to visit my son in Cheyenne. The last part of the trip from KC seems to be a toss up going up and across NE or straight across KS to Denver then up. Any recommendations? I won't be hauling a trailer, just driving a 4wd Suburban.
KC to Cheyenne one way. Cheyenne to KC the other way. One caution, SW Kansas is loaded with feed lots which don't smell like rose gardens.
Mike
I make this trip every year (actually to Golden, CO). Sometimes I take 80 through Nebraska (If I'm coming from my sister's in Ohio and sometimes I take 710 through Kansas if coming from a friends in Tennessee.
Short story ..... not much difference. Scenery similar either way and interstate is interstate.
80 is about 60 miles shorter and will avoid traffic in Denver. Weather may make a difference.
Since I personally hate interstates, I would probably take 36 through N. Kansas. An old boss of mine used to say: you never learn anything driving the interstates. Of course time is probably an issue.
At any rate enjoy your drive !
Mike,
Nebraska of course
If you take 435 around the east side of K.C. And north on I-29 you can take I-80 west at Omaha. Three great places to see cars in Nebraska, Bill Smith's Museum of speed in Lincoln. Bill has amassed an incredible collection of race cars and equipment, and there are many many Ford related exhibits, including great T items such as the 5 millionth T.
Then, at Kearney is a new museum on the east side of Cabella's (outdoor outfitter) a few miles north of the interstate on Hwy 30.
Ten miles south of Kearney at Minden is Harold Warp's Pioneer Village. Pioneer Village has a great collection of early cars, many in original or unmolested condition from the time they were acquired in the forties through the sixties.
Of course, you may always stop at the "Heyen Museum." You'll find an assortment (OK, only five) of Ford cars, usually in various states of disrepair .
Rob
A few years ago we flew our homebuilt biplane from Wa to Oshkosh.
You can smell those feedlots from 3000 feet!
Rob suggestion of Bill Smith's Speedway Motors museum is an excellent suggestion, but normally they only offer one tour a day, starting at 2:00 PM. The T section is incredible.
I-70 misses the feed lots by many miles, so no worry there. Driving time is probably about the same either way. The shortest route would be I-70 west to Hays, US 183 north to Blue Hole, and I-80 west to Cheyenne. If you have time for sight seeing and have any interest in history, you want to alter that slightly and make the northward leg through Minden, Nebraska. Harold Warp's Pioneer Village there is an amazing collection. There's so much to see that some folks spend a couple of days there. Farther west are the Oregon Trail sites along the Platte Valley. There's Buffalo Bill's ranch, and a worthwhile detour to Scott's Bluff where the passage of 50,000 wagons a year left ruts in the sandstone so deep that the space between the ruts was worn flat by the axles.
Steve,
I would add the newly competed car museum just north of Pioneer Village on the east side of Kearney to your list (second pic and link below). Also, if passing through Kearney on I-80 the Great Platte River Road Archway is another great stop. This is an interactive tour that covers the westward expansion through the Great Plains from fur trappers and native Americans through the forties.
http://www.archway.org/
http://www.ccckearney.com/aboutus.html
Those are new to me. Looks like I need another trip to Nebraska.
We've been to Pioneer Village in Minden and have seen the Gateway Arch.
Guess we need to hit the road again.
Mike Black:
I would hop on to 1-25 South, Turn East on E470, E-470 Runs past the Denver Air Port, and skirts around Denver. E-470 runs into I-70 and you are on your way to Kansas City.
Rob Heyen is right about Mindon, but be sure to plan two days in Mindon. You CAN NOT see Mindon in one day. However I would also highly recommend Mindon.
If you are going South on 1-25 you will be only 5 miles from Berthoud. Stop in and enjoy some coffee and roles. I can send you directions to my place.
Mike,
This time of year a storm can blow in fast across the interstate. A good friend who lived in South Dakota taught me to pack candy bars, water bottles, and a warm blanket and keep them in the car (not the trunk). I have been stranded on Interstate 80 for over 8 hours and the candy, water, and blankets were a blessing. Bad weather can strike at any time.
In Nebraska and Kansas there is not much difference between local highways and the Interstate system. Flatland is flatland. Speed is about the same but you get a lot of local color on the local roads. Fewer large trucks too. Just complete a trip from ME to WY and back. West of IL we used local roads about half the time. Have a great drive.
Can't say much about east of Richmond Ind. but just like Jeff said go north here then west on 80 the last bit. If coming thru St. Louis take 370 around the north end most times faster than downtown. Downtown you can see the Arch.
Bud:
When I came thru Neb. I stopped and stayed over night in Minden. The Motel was next door to the Museun and they gave me a ticket to go into the place and it was FANTASTIC. You wont believe what is there till you see it. Oh by the way I went out of my way to see it as I was headed for Wichita, Ks., from Iowa and Lees's Summitt, Mo.
Bill D
Redding Ca.
Mike, if you come up I29 from Kansas City, stop at Mound City if you have time and we can talk T's for a while. Dave
Mike -- Sounds like you'd better add a couple more weeks to your trip.
Thanks guys. You've given me some great ideas.