Which route would you choose? (Columbia, MO to Bend, OR)
Hey everyone. I'm looking at route options to drive from Columbia, MO to BEND, OR, and would love to get opinions from anyone who might have driven some of these particular stretches of highway!If I just ask for a direct route, it seems that I'd be directed onto I-80, passing through Lincoln, NE and Cheyenne, WY, among other places, then picking up I-84 in the vicinity of Salt Lake City, and then a final stretch of highway over to Bend.
But since I also wouldn't mind seeing Grand Junction, CO, taking that option would have me driving on I-70 through Kansas, then Colorado, and then somewhere around Green River, UT, I'd start heading NW on various highways until picking up I-15, then going through Salt Lake City, and then picking up I-84 to complete the journey to Bend.
It seems like it would add a bit over a 100 extra miles and maybe 2 to 3 extra hours in order to see Grand Junction, but putting aside the extra time and mileage, which route overall do you think is the smarter choice? I can just skip seeing Grand Junction if there are other factors that make it better to not try that route?
Potholes/road quality?
Traffic?
Does one have more options for gas stations and restaurants along the way?
Any weather concerns at higher elevations in Aug or Sept????
Scenery, or lack thereof... :)
If you've been on any of these roads, I'd love to have your opinion! Thank you!!
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22 comments
We prefer Wyoming because you stand a better chance of seeing amazing wildlife on the side of the road. We've seen Deer, Buffalo, Moose, Elk, Antelopes, Big Horn Sheep, Eagles.... Off Route 80, near the Utah border is a place called flaming gorge. It is incredible. The reflection of the multi-colored walls of the Gorge off the blue of the water is stunning. Also, near Dinosaur National Monument if you're into that kind of thing.
If we were going, we'd leave Flaming Gorge and head North on 191 and go through Jackson Hole, the Tetons and Yellowstone into Montana. It might be the best scenery on earth. We'd pick up I-90 in Montana and continue.
It can snow at any time, but you're probably safe and we drove to Colorado in February 2023 and Montana in February 2021, able to avoid tragedy. Three things to understand. If you have never driven out west, you don't understand the true meaning of vast. Expect up to 3 hours of no cell phone at times. We once drove 3 hours in eastern Oregon without cel service and without seeing another car, road, sign, person or anything other than nothing. Make sure you have gas. Get stuck on the shoulder of the road, it might be hours before help.
Its great to drive as fast as you want. At night there is no one there except animals. In the east Deer are the biggest thing you can hit. In the west, they are closer to the smallest. You will drive slower than you think. Wind will be your biggest problem. In Wyoming we were driving downhill at about 85, a tractor trailer was coming uphill. The wind blew the trailer across the road. Driver made an incredible save, we missed it by maybe 5". Just be careful and take the mountain road. The scenery in Montana and Idaho is jaw dropping.
Restaurants and Gas Stations - very few. Never let your tank have less than 175 miles of range. You can find great food at gas stations. They are the center of society out in the rural west. Altitude will mess with your digestive system. Enjoy burping and ....
Maybe consider south to Dallas, El Paso (if you like it really dirty), then Tucson, Phoenix, City of Industry; possible detour to Tijuana; then not much worthwhile until Springfield, OR.
But maybe some gems I don't know about?
The rest of the state nice is nice looking but bad for gas mileage and has more violent weather. It's a slog.
KC 29 to Nebraska City and cut through to 80/Lincoln.
SLC actually has adult entertainment and if you like civi blondes, not too bad.
So let me ask you this...from reading your reply, is it safe to say that my projected route through Grand Junction is potentially SAFER than the other possibilities? If I'm reading you correctly, it sounds like the I-80 option is definitely more scenic, but potentially comes with more risks from things like wild animals in the road, strong wind gusts, and possibly longer gaps for things like gas stations and cell service??
For the journey to Bend, I guess my highest priority is just making it there as safely as possible, and in reasonably efficient time. Whereas on the way back, I'd be more likely to think about taking a more scenic option, possibly even considering time on I-90, like you mentioned.
In other words, in your opinion, what's the safest route I can take to get to Bend without going too far out of my way, other than maybe Grand Junction, of course?
Thanks again!
1 South Carolina
2 Wyoming
3 Louisiana
4 Montana
5 Mississippi
My comments on the animals are a reminder that while you can drive 110 out there with no cops, there are other hazards. Think of it this way; the time of year you're going you will be fine barring extraordinary weather and by that I mean its just as likely to get hit by a tornado in Kansas as some other weather deal in the mountains. Lastly secondary roads out there are so remote you can drive fast on them and not see other cars. The only driving skill that makes secondary roads a breeze out West is the ability/desire to two lane pass. Most drivers simply won't, but when you want to drive 80, 60 seems slow.
Wyoming winds are more winter, than summer. Its a great state with real Cowboys.
Avoid I-40 (ABQ etc.) in the summer , avoid I-70 (Loveland pass) in the winter.
Utah is amazingly beautiful.
Ohio is much more terrible even though not as long/wide.
So, attempting this drive sounds both exciting, and also a wee bit intimidating at the same time...lol But I'm going to carefully look at the route I choose to better understand exactly what kind of gaps to expect between gas stations, hotels, restaurants, etc. I know it should all be manageable... :)
On that overnight drive you mentioned, I'm guessing you encountered at least a few 24 hour gas stations? Did you also encounter any hotels, motels, or other businesses that were open?