Routing between Salina and Crawford, NE

[TxLoser]

We’re headed to Custer SP tomorrow via Salina KOA and Fort Robinson SP in Crawford NE. Google has me on some two lanes between Salina and Fort Robinson SP. I’ve looked over the route for low bridges etc best I can. Any gotchas in that area to avoid? Better routes than what google might pick.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

We’re headed to Custer SP tomorrow via Salina KOA and Fort Robinson SP in Crawford NE. Google has me on some two lanes between Salina and Fort Robinson SP. I’ve looked over the route for low bridges etc best I can. Any gotchas in that area to avoid? Better routes than what google might pick.

I have never driven that route but 81/I35 is four lane all the way to I80 and then it is four land west with a short bit of two lane to Crawford. Not sure which route you’re taking but avoid as much two lane in that country is going to speed up the trip by just avoiding slow moving farm equipment.

[TxLoser]

Thanks CAG. Didn’t think about the farm equipment, but I’m sure you’re right.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Thanks CAG. Didn’t think about the farm equipment, but I’m sure you’re right.

I used to be one of the one's driving that equipment and with the wife's family in Kansas experience it on visits. Worst time is during wheat harvest you can run into long trains of equipment moving as the harvest moves north.

[TxLoser]

Followed your advice CAG and minimized my two lane exposure. Only one tractor once I did get on the two lane and a loooong coal train. Railroad tracks are another fun feature in this part of the country.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Followed your advice CAG and minimized my two lane exposure. Only one tractor once I did get on the two lane and a loooong coal train. Railroad tracks are another fun feature in this part of the country.

Glad it worked for you. Yes some of the trains can get really long. Those running through Flagstaff east and west are amazing with the number of cars they are pulling/pushing.

[TxLoser]

I remember that. Used to live in Prescott and made my way up there numerous times.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Funny- I guess we're all different. We seek out 2 lane roads (minus low overpasses, etc).
We want to see the country. There's more of a problem for people getting stuck behind us, than us stuck behind a tractor. If we see a long lineup behind us, we'll pull over and let them pass.
Of course it was different when we were working and had to bee-line everywhere.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by Cincinnati Kid

Funny- I guess we're all different. We seek out 2 lane roads (minus low overpasses, etc).
We want to see the country. There's more of a problem for people getting stuck behind us, than us stuck behind a tractor. If we see a long lineup behind us, we'll pull over and let them pass.
Of course it was different when we were working and had to bee-line everywhere.

LOL-until you get caught behind a long line of custom cutting trucks with combines, grain trucks, motor home of workers and cannot get by it because of the no-passing on rolling hills and get into your next stop 5 hours later than expected or even better get caught behind a cattle hauler and can't get around in the rolling hills and the continued cattle poop and piss flowing out the back is spraying your tow vehicle and 5th wheel with a brown layer.

So I guess there are times to sight see and times when you should save the sight seeing for times when you can escape and not have a designated route.

[KCSA75]

Originally Posted by CAG

LOL-until you get caught behind a long line of custom cutting trucks with combines, grain trucks, motor home of workers and cannot get by it because of the no-passing on rolling hills and get into your next stop 5 hours later than expected or even better get caught behind a cattle hauler and can't get around in the rolling hills and the continued cattle poop and piss flowing out the back is spraying your tow vehicle and 5th wheel with a brown layer.

So I guess there are times to sight see and times when you should save the sight seeing for times when you can escape and not have a designated route.

Five hours? Brown layer? Exagerate much?

[CAG]

Originally Posted by KCSA75

Five hours? Brown layer? Exagerate much?

Not at all about the brown layer but before you call me a liar or suggest that it is an exaggeration (you misspelled it) you might want to have been closer to the subject at the time.


We followed a cattle hauler for 20 miles unable to get around. The mess was interesting.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by CAG

LOL-until you get caught behind a long line of custom cutting trucks with combines, grain trucks, motor home of workers and cannot get by it because of the no-passing on rolling hills and get into your next stop 5 hours later than expected or even better get caught behind a cattle hauler and can't get around in the rolling hills and the continued cattle poop and piss flowing out the back is spraying your tow vehicle and 5th wheel with a brown layer.

So I guess there are times to sight see and times when you should save the sight seeing for times when you can escape and not have a designated route.

LOL. Great description. We haven't had that yet, but logging trucks for sure. We usually take trips in segments (GPS measured) of about 3-4 hours. We allow 6-8 hours, because, well.. us. We rarely pass a roadside plaque unless it comes up on us too fast or there is no place to pull over.
Don't get me wrong, we drive a lot of 4 lane roads, mainly old US Highway routes. But the slower two lane segments have the coolest small towns to check out.

And sometimes it will be 4PM and we have lollygagged too long, and we're staring at an after-dark setup. I do not like backing or setting up in the dark, so in a situation like that, we abandon the scenic route and jump on the superslab.