4 wheeler looking for advice
Posted by Zrepsilon@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 47 comments
Will be making a Seattle to Newark drive in my ford focus on all season tires some time between November and February.
Are either of these routes preferable to one another? Is there. Third or fourth route I need to be considering? I am not interested in sight seeing, just want a safe and efficient route.
Thank you!
ImaginaryCatDreams@reddit
Trucker Path App - I'm putting this at the top in case you don't read everything. This app will show you all of the major fuel stops, Walmart's and many other highway amenities. You can choose what it shows you
When I ran this particular route my company routed me from Seattle in the following manner
I-90 E to I-82 S to I-84 S to I-80 E
It's almost 3000 miles exactly
The I- 90 route is about 100 miles less
The 90/94 is about the same
I have run all 3 and prefer 80
Make sure to check the weather along the route before you leave and determine your routing that way. There are also several interstates along i-90 that will run you down to 80 should The weather unexpectedly change
I highly recommend the Trucker Path app. It will show you the location of all the truck stops, rest areas and Walmarts as well as other things if you want to see them that are on your route.
I highly recommend using the major truck stops for fueling. Most all of them have two different kinds of fast food as well as fresh hot coffee and clean restrooms. Loves has been building locations left and right for the last decade and has some very nice stops.
The only real problem with this route is you are going to go through Metro Chicago. Do your best not to go through at high volume traffic times, morning and evening rush hour. Also try to fuel before you come into that area so that you can simply concentrate on driving through.
After you leave Metro Chicago you were going to be on a toll road for the rest of your trip. This is where trucker path really becomes your friend because it will show you the exits that have truck stops and you won't have to pay turnpike prices for food and fuel.
Zrepsilon@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
ImaginaryCatDreams@reddit
Enjoy your trip, if you have time try to plan a different route for your return trip.
Sea-Count-5298@reddit
Watch out for big trucks and don't cut them off because you missed your off-ramp. Is always good advice from a truck driver ☺️
Zrepsilon@reddit (OP)
I’ve seen enough of those videos here ;)
MCryptoWars@reddit
Just in case the GPS re routes you when you get into Pennsylvania, stay away from I-76 unless you are comfortable with paying $50 to $100 in tolls. PA Turnpike is the most expensive toll in America, and it sucks because I am from there. Only benefit I see of the I-76 Turnpike is, there is never any traffic congestion, even during rush hour, unless if there is a major accident!
Zrepsilon@reddit (OP)
Yikes, good to know thanks!
KalTheo@reddit
As a native Minnesotan who lived two years in North Dakota, ND sucks to drive across, especially in winter. They use sand on their roads instead of any type of ice melt solution. The landscape is also very flat with few trees for wind breaks.
South Dakota route would get my vote.
Zrepsilon@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
Musky_ruffles@reddit
When going through Chicago I highly advise you take the loop that takes you AROUND Chicago bc if you catch it at a bad you'll be stuck in downtown Chicago traffic for a couple hours
Zrepsilon@reddit (OP)
Makes sense thank you!
Cool_Algae4265@reddit
As a Chicago native, stay well clear of Chicago unless it’s the middle of the night. This looks like it’s having them take 90 to 294 to 94 back onto 80/90… which is a complete shit show.
I’d stay on 39 at Rockford to get down to 88 or even 80 and cut over. Will still hit a bit of traffic when it meets 294 or 94 or whatever that is but it wouldn’t be fore a couple hours. Or just completely bypass it and take like IL30 across the state.
Ambitious-Lunch3242@reddit
A heads up man but the i94 and i80 around those times gets covered in a lot of snow and the first half of that route is going to be very rural so be prepared for anything
Zrepsilon@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
kzoobob@reddit
For safety: Plan the trip around good weather windows. Allow for a day or two of sitting, because of bad weather.
For Leisure: take Route 2. It’s a fantastic drive.
Zrepsilon@reddit (OP)
Good advice thank you! I used to live in kzoo btw
MikeMcAwesome91@reddit
If youre looking for efficient routing, Google usually knows best. Only bad thing about the top route is it goes through Minneapolis and St Paul, which doesnt usually present major problems, but the lower route doesnt go through it at all.
Just make sure to pay attention if it suggests a different route. I use it daily on my local route while im on interstates. Even though I know where to go, it let's me know when people are crashing and how to get around it. ATTN: TRUCKERS. YOU HAVE TO KNOW IF THE ALTERNATE ROUTES ARE SAFE FOR TRUCKS BEFORE YOU LISTEN TO NAVIGATION.
Zrepsilon@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
1morepl8@reddit
Man. I've been off long haul etc forever, mostly run service roads etc, and live rural. I had my first experience with a major city and modern Google maps just recently. Holy shit. Like you said. It's hit that I don't know where to go. It's that it knows where is currently fucked. It was amazing lol.
MikeMcAwesome91@reddit
When I got my local job, I got phone numbers for some of my coworkers and talked to them about what roads were safe for us, particularly in chattanooga, tn. Pretty much every road that going in or out has a low clearance, but our trucks are short enough to clear most of them. Only time it hasn't helped me was when I got to the tunnel and found a reefer trailer stuck inside.
logginlognog@reddit
Looks like either way you go itll be through Snoqualmie Pass among others on I-90. check the WSDOT website for conditions.
JakeJascob@reddit
Doing it during the winter definitely take the southern most route and dont drive at night. Use extreme caution when u get into the plains as the wind will not only keep everything frozen but can push u off the road if u arent careful.
RealSharpNinja@reddit
Head south on I5 to Bakersfield, then east on CA58 to I40, then I40 to I81.
chicopepsi@reddit
That’s a lot of extra miles and i40 is a pain during the winter with all the truck accidents
RealSharpNinja@reddit
You think I70 or I80 will be easier or safer? I believe you asked for best route for December and January. If you are worried about safety on I40, then go on down to I10 and make your way north starting at I20 in Texas.
chicopepsi@reddit
OP is taking i90, he didn’t mentioned i70 or i80. But still Idk. I prefer driving by myself on i90 and getting some more snow than being on i40 with that shiny left lane and some guys wanting to do 70 on that shiny lane.
Cool_Algae4265@reddit
Taking 40 from NJ or Seattle would be a bit insane.
RealSharpNinja@reddit
In December or January, far safer than I70 or I80. Would you really recommend someone take eith through the Rockies in January? Or I80 along yhe Great Lakes in January? Yes, it will be more miles, but avoiding the bulk of the snow will be worth it.
The SAFEST route would be I5 to I10, I10 to I20, I20 to I95.
Cool_Algae4265@reddit
The safest way would be to wait until spring… you’re talking about adding about 1000 miles and 15 hours of driving… yes, I would absolutely recommend they go the way that will save them almost 2 full days of driving
dtbrake@reddit
South
Jssr22@reddit
South Dakota route is more scenic especially thru Wyoming in my opinion anyway. But at this time of year take one with better weather.
cnash@reddit
Those are two ways to do it. That southern route on I-90 cuts off, like, twenty miles, but that's a rounding error on a trip like this. Stop in Bozeman, MT, and check the weather report before choosing which to take.
If there's bad weather, one thing to consider is that US-212, on the southern route between Hardin, MT, and Spearfish or Sturgis, SD, is a lower priority for plowing and clearing than the interstate.
There's a third option, where you take I-82 and I-84 all the way down into Utah, and then I-80 all the way east, but that's a hundred extra miles and the roads aren't flatter or safer. It's only worth it if there's a problem with the roads in Montana.
As a Washingtonian, I assume you already know about US-2, which— depending on where you're starting from in "Seattle" and what time of day you're leaving— can sometimes avoid enough traffic in the metro area to make up for slower driving speeds and longer distances from there to George, WA, or even all the way to Spokane. But that pass at Skykomish is very weather-sensitive, and, like I was saying about US-212, not as highly prioritized for clearance as the interstate.
cleanc3r3alkillr@reddit
I would personally take the bottom route, fewer major cities, assuming no major storms are forecast in my experience South Dakota doesn’t get hit with snow as hard as North Dakota does, and assuming you have time to stop for sightseeing I think the bottom route has more bang for the buck, Mount Rushmore for one. It’s a beautiful drive once you’re past Rapid City, hope you enjoy it.
First-Olive-1181@reddit
Each driver in vehicle can only drive 11 hours before needing to take a required 10 hour break 😂
ironeagle2006@reddit
Take 90 avoid 94 in winter unless you love cold. I spent a night in ND with a temp of -40 actual temperature outside. Even #1 diesel fuel was starting to say fuck this shit.
xoutlawtrucker@reddit
Southern route (I-80) has more tourist places to stop and more interesting places to see. (I-94) is a bit more isolated and peaceful.
Kernel_Pie@reddit
Until the wind fires up.
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
You should actually take i40 then i15
Leaf-Stars@reddit
Your route is all going to depend on the weather at the time. If it’s bad on one route, you take another. It’s that simple.
chicopepsi@reddit
I’d take i90-212-i90 again all the way to Chicago, Then take i80. Try to avoid the storms and have good tires. You will also take some mountains in Washington, Idaho, and Montana, be careful there.
Financial-Prize9691@reddit
When the driver says rural, he means it might be 100+ miles to the nearest mechanic if you breakdown or get a flat going through Montana in the winter. I haven't been that way in a while. I don't like going across 90 in a big truck because there are to many mountain passes that way and any one of them could be shut down due to weather. Most of us that run/ran that area in the winter often enough keept enough supplies in our trucks to last for a week with no heat, food, or water.
Depending on the weather the safest route could be through Arizona into California and to Washington. I tended to go across I-80 to SLC and up, because of those steep passes on both your Google routes and there are plenty of places to get a hotel if the weather turns, but it's super windy in the winter.
Each state is going to have their own priorities on how to keep the roads clear and safe. On my preferred route, I would go through hell in Wyoming, hit the Utah border and the roads would be completely deiced and safe and as soon as I crossed into Idaho im sliding down hills for 15 miles then the roads get good again until Cabbage Hill in Oregon on I84.
I would suggest checking in with each states 511 line for road information when you start your trip. At least Idaho, Utah, Washington and Montana if you go that way, most of them have apps that you can use to see road conditions/closures. Both routes are just as safe, but you have to watch the weather.
masterminders@reddit
Choose the one with most interstate highways usage
Fit_Hospital2423@reddit
I would be carrying some traction “socks” for my tires.
Arnhildr-Fang@reddit
I 80/90? Id say its one of the fastest & most efficient routes, make frequent drives there.
The biggest concern is the season. Snow can be savage in the northern states, so many northern states will straight-up shut down interstates this time of year preceeding snow storms. You COULD use side roads during this time (especially being a 4-wheeler), but is strongly not reccomended...if interstates are being shut down conditions are far too dangerous & its safer to just find an inn, gas station, rest area, or anywhere you can pull off & wait. Strongly reccomend bringing food, blankets, warm clothes, & emergency supplies if you have to wait a few days out. Its better to arrive late than to arrive dead. Keep the shiny side up (aka, stay safe)
BlackAndChromePoem@reddit
Take the South Dakota route, more rest stops. Chicago area is best driven during non-rush hour hours, late night or very early morning.
MikeMcAwesome91@reddit
Another thing: I haven't traveled much through that area, but I believe the lower route is known for high winds. Might make the top route a bit safer. Even if youre just driving a car, you still have to get around us when we lay er down.
snidebuffalo@reddit
Either should be fine. Personally I'd choose the one with the less miles