Best route from Norcal to Columbus?
 

For anyone that's done it, do you have any suggestions or recommendations for the best route to Columbus? 80 seems like the best route, but not quite sure. Thanks!

If you go on the southern route, I-40 it is pretty flat once you get past California. We are leaving Friday afternoon and heading that way.

Passing through the Rockies can be a big deal whether you go through Utah or Colorado.

Last year, I went out on I-40, north to Tulsa/Oklahoma City, up to the southern part of Illinois and Indiana, through Louisville, and then northeast to Columbus.

Came back along I-80 and would recommend this from where you're starting out from. It's at least six hours south to get to I-40 from Discovery Bay. Yes, there's a couple of mountain ranges but they're not that bad.

There is some construction on 80 in Nevada (there's always construction on I-80 in Nevada ...) but if you get there at the right time, there's minimal, if any, delay. Nevada DOT should be able to provide times when the lanes are split and delays begin. If there's a delay, it shouldn't be much.

Safe travels and plan for at least four, long days of windshield time.

Mary Pozzi

I did it 3 years ago with a 48ft trailer , left 3pm on Sunday from Columbus and got home at 2am Wednesday morning. I drove the whole way. And blew up a radiator on the way home. A case of water and 4 bottles of stop leak we were west bound again.

It's a long as drive. My wife and I are doing it this year in the Big Rig. But stopping half way at the Davis estate in Arkansas for a 1 day break and some on Angie Davis's cooking.

If I take the northern route,Is it better to take 70 from Denver or just stay on 80 and take 74 southeast to 70? Either way, yeah it's gonna be a long haul! Its about time I can put my new Duramax to the test:D

I used to be a long haul trucker and I ran from east coast to west coast every other week for ten years. I have run every route you can imagine. If I was loading out around SanDiego I would run I-10 to ElPaso I-25 to Albuquerque to I-40, if I was loading around LA I ran I-40 to OKC I-44 to StLouis I-70 to Columbus, if I was loading off the warfs in SanFran I ran I-80 to east of Chicago I-65 to Indy I-70 to Columbus.

Wow, every other week for ten years? I guess you would know! Looks like 80 is the route to take. Thanks

This way ... I couldn't remember the actual freeways. I went east but visited RideTech both going out and coming back which took me a bit south (worth it, though). Went through Lousiville, KY and then northeast to Columbus going out.

I did the Heidt's Challenge coming back (Joliet, IL) and then stayed on 80 back to the Bay Area and home. Three days of windshield time, changing flat trailer tires in 100+ degree F. heat, and getting very bored in Nebraska and Wyoming. Nevada desert was the worst ... zzzzzzzzzz.

Mary Pozzi

being from Seattle...we just follow the Starbuck's locations:_paranoid

Mary is right...Nebraska and Wyoming on I80 time just stands still- no wonder "Little America" is a destination.

I'm a little Jealous Steve, I love a good roadtrip- have fun!

The 2 times I have gone down I-80 it has been blowing like crazy. It like 400 miles of NOTHING. Kinda like Texas to Oklahoma city on the 40. It really does not matter day or night, there is nothing to see.

2 days till we leave. Getting my booming radio installed today.