Driving from Grand Junction to Denver on I70

[TnHiker]

I'm planning another western loop trip this summer (2022) Soutwest and ending with the Big 5 in Utah. Just wondered if any of you guys who have driven from Grand Junction to Denver, Co. would comment on this part of my trip. It looks like a steep climb. I've driven I80 from Rock Springs to Cheyenne, WY. and I remember the steepest part was from Laramie to Cheyenne and it was real steep and several miles long. I just wondered how many climbs on I70 there are like the one from Laramie to Cheyenne. Any info would be appreciated. Happy Camping and God Bless.

[RogerR]

We did a circle, Denver I70 west, down to Aches, Mesa Verde and back east to I25 then up to Denver.
We drove the I70 with a Jeep Grand Cherokee with a V6 pulling our 3,500 lb 195 RB. Trip was steep a few times just west of Denver but not super steep or difficult. Lots of RVs and big semi's on the road with no problems.

[Daniel3359]

We did Grand Junction to Denver on Interstate 70 two summers ago in our Jayco Greyhawk Class C, towing our Jeep Wrangler. It is very steep in places but very doable. There were reports of closure of a section of interstate because of a rockslide last summer so you may want to check up on that too.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by TnHiker

Just wondered if any of you guys who have driven from Grand Junction to Denver, Co. would comment on this part of my trip. It looks like a steep climb. I've driven I80 from Rock Springs to Cheyenne, WY. and I remember the steepest part was from Laramie to Cheyenne and it was real steep and several miles long. I just wondered how many climbs on I70 there are like the one from Laramie to Cheyenne. Any info would be appreciated. Happy Camping and God Bless.

I've driven I-70 from Denver to Grand Junction many, many times in our Class C motorhome. And I've driven I-80 from one side of Wyoming to the other.


There will be only two big "gotcha's" on I-70. That's the first run up from Denver to the Eisenhower Tunnel. And the second is Vail pass.


Both are significantly steeper and longer than any part of I-80 in my opinion.


But - thousands and thousands and thousands of people drive their trailers and motorhomes from Denver to Grand Junction all of the time. I'm in a big Class C and going up, I just stay in the right lane and go slow. There will be you in the right lane and dozens of semi's.


Frankly going down the other side of these "hills" worries me a lot more than going up. Again, I'm in the right lane, downshifted and braking rarely.

[bill3kirk]

I've made that drive several times. We camp host in Carbondale, Co at Gateway RV Park between Glenwood Springs and Aspen. The climbs in both directions are steep but doable. More importantly respect the downhill signs going into Denver. Ones like "Truckers beware, 10 more miles".

Glenwood Canyon is open in both directions after the Grizzly Creek fire but if a flash flood warning is issued by the national weather service it results in an automatic closure of I-70 between Glenwood Springs and Dotsero (Eagle). Going east you are detoured at Rifle, over Steamboat. 6-7 hour over the regular route. That happened numerous times last summer. Should it happen when you go, don't try Independence Pass on 82. Usually, they close that to car traffic only if Glenwood Canyon is closed due to RV's and truckers (illegally) going over and getting stuck. 35' limit nose to tail on your RV and toad or tow vehicle to back of your trailer. The fine is hefty ($3,500) and there are plenty of sheriffs.

https://www.codot.gov/travel/glenwoodcanyon