Which route experienced drivers?

Posted by kali4niakid@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 37 comments

So the company wants me to take i90 because it’s 80 miles less. (Preferred route) but I’m a contractor and can do wtf I want. They give me a surcharge for fuel so if I stay under that amount I don’t have to pay for fuel on loaded miles.

The difference in taking the i80 or the i90 is the i80 adds 80 miles..but the trade off is the i80 has cheaper fuel prices and it’s a straight shot once I get pass Utah.

Am I overreacting because I think i80 would be better since I’m saving on fuel prices.

I’m gonna be loaded at 38k. Weather will be ideal in both routes.

I’m reefer.

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No-Description9635@reddit

i80 through wyoming was terrifying. just drove from mass to san francisco. 65+mph winds and snow to where i could barely even see the car 10ft infront of me. would avoid next time haha

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g0d_help_me@reddit

80 has fewer mountain passes to cross. But you have to deal with wyoming. The high elevation and potential crosswinds could negate your fuel savings from not having to climb as many mountains. When I was otr, I almost exclusively went 84 to 80 unless wyoming was likely going to be shut down due to winter storms.

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SRB72@reddit

When talking about wind and Wyoming it also makes a huge difference eastbound vs. westbound. Tail wind eastbound, headwind westbound.

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g0d_help_me@reddit

Until you get to Elk Mountian or Rawlins where the winds will switch on you every 100 feet or so.

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SRB72@reddit

You are not wrong on that for sure.

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twenafeesh@reddit

Second this. Check on the wind situation in Wyoming before committing. It's usually worst in the winter but it can get bad any time of year.

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MajorHymen@reddit

94-90 is a better drive once you get to North Dakota. That stretch of road all the way to Spokane is about as good as it gets traffic wise. IA sucks NE is alright WY is weather dependent.

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deadpat03@reddit

90 nothing else to be said but fuel is probably expensive but you should be able to do 7.5 to 8.5 at 38k no problem.

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Be-It-coin@reddit

I always go over the top. I run that route at least 6 times a year.

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AsphaltPirate74@reddit

I'm a company flatbedder and I always take the 90, I don't care about the wind or snow storms, my truck's 11'7" and with a low clearance and heavy load, it's easy.

But if you're the one paying for the fuel and and you're worried about the weather, take the 80. It has been icy and there were 2 wrecks cutting through Montana just last week shutting down the highway.

The cheapest I found fuel was $5.02/gal at a loves in Wisconsin, everwhere else on 90 was $5.30 to $8/gal from what I saw while driving by.

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jadedshibby@reddit

Honestly dealers choice on that one. You could go 80 for the fuel or 90 is prettier.

I might lean toward 80 cause it's still April and if you were gonna get caught in a surprise snowstorm it'd probs be worse on 90.

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Fuzzy1598@reddit

Just last week had restrictions of 60k for 55+ crosswinds.

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AllNORNADA@reddit

It was 40k when I went through there last week

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rdmcrd@reddit

The highlighted route is definitely better fuel prices and overall with hills and scales smoother ride.

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Kamakazi72@reddit

If you’re empty i80 could be risky with the crosswinds

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Economy_Wing_161@reddit

Take the scenic route as many is highways as possible and it's chilly up north so cut down to i10. /S

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Dual-use@reddit

I just left I-94 in ND. Strong winds and freezing rain. Looks like at least part of that will blow down to 90.

Thoroughly check the weather. If it seems good I say take 90, if its dodgy go 80. Wyoming winds will not affect you and both routes will be scenic initially before they get boring

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Constance1979@reddit

I would take the I-90. mostly because there are less drivers on that road, less four wheelers to worry about and I wouldn't have to worry abour parking spots as much. Another benefit would be youd have to run the AC less cus its cooler up there, you can save on diesel that way if you prefer to run at night like I do.

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Dinyska@reddit

84-80

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Mstrchf117@reddit

90 or 94 personally. 90 isn't going to save you that many miles(if any) if you stick to the interstate. That arch through ne Wyoming is us 218 iirc. Not terrible but 2 lanes so if you get stuck behind someone can be a pain.

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Possumjones@reddit

I 90 should be awfully pretty right now. I’d go up there anytime I could just to get away from I 80

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Virtchoo@reddit

80 is simple, 90 through Montana is beautiful.

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Dragex11@reddit

I've not done this route myself, but I've got a few coworkers who had done it, and they take the highlighted route.

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National-Answer-9792@reddit

The highlited route cause it swings within a hundred miles from my house. I'm an o/o so i can slip by home. But the middle route is good this time if year as well. Don't let either one fool you though, winter weather can catch you daydreaming even after you'd think it summer on the flat lands. I wouldn't use the north route, just cause of personal preference, it's boring as hell

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Whitehoneybun666@reddit

I’d take the upper route only to drive through MT ND & MN since I ain’t been yet

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Tricky_Big_8774@reddit

I prefer 90 if the weather isn't making decisions for me. SLC is objectively not that bad, but I seem to run into some kind of issue every time I pass through going E-W.

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AroundGoesThe18@reddit

Depends on the winds of Wyoming. How heavy is the load? Do you pay the tolls or are you a company driver?

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kali4niakid@reddit (OP)

I pay 70% 38k load

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Insane34@reddit

Out of my 4 years of driving I only ended up going through SD once. The scenery was very nice and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it if you never been through there. Otherwise follow the general consensus of everyone else commenting.

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StreetsRUs@reddit

Every route experiences drivers. That’s what they’re for

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bigfrappe@reddit

I've done 84-80. Well traveled with good stops and some funny billboard wars. Have some good audiobooks because there are some stretches of straight CORN.

I have usually tacked north to Wisconsin or south to Florida so I can't speak to the eastern half.

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