Wyoming US-20 Between Thermopolis And Shoshoni

How is the drive going downhill compared to others? Was routed that way to UT, NV and finally CA on my second load solo. Its still a nightmare I re-live once in awhile!!

Has anyone driven on this road? Would really like to know what your thoughts on this grade are, compared to others. I could post a pic of it but l don't know how.

Have never driven that route. But I can tell you about a few state routes I have driven in PA, short distance 9 - 12% grades with a stop at the bottom. If this is close to what you had, then the best suggestion I can make is to take it slow and easy. Most of the routes in PA I have had to do this are usually 20 mph for trucks, so creeping down doing 10 or less mph is the best solution I have found.

Ernie

Has anyone driven on this road? Would really like to know what your thoughts on this grade are, compared to others. I could post a pic of it but l don't know how.

Here's a screenshot from Google Earth, showing Thermopolis to the lower left. The road travels next to the Bighorn River through the canyon in the middle of the picture and up to the right. Shoshoni is in the upper right corner by Boysen Reservoir.

I've taken that route a few times. The Wind River Canyon is incredibly beautiful, one of my Top 5 favorite stretches of road to drive for sheer beauty.

On the other hand, it's a steep, twisty, narrow road, and probably one of my least favorite stretches to drive, especially if I'm pressed for time or if it's snowing. (Yes, I have driven down that road when it was snowing. I don't recommend it.) It's a tough drive that requires your full attention and care, especially in a truck. It's not really a beginner run, so kudos to you for making it through there safely.

Most of the routes out of that part of Wyoming have some tough stretches. This route is one of the easier ways to go south. Although this stretch is difficult, the steep part and sharp curves don't last as long as other ways to get out to either I-25 or I-80. Probably the easiest way out of that area is to go north on US 310 up to I-90 near Laurel, Montana, but that's not always an option for obvious reasons.

Have never driven that route. But I can tell you about a few state routes I have driven in PA, short distance 9 - 12% grades with a stop at the bottom. If this is close to what you had, then the best suggestion I can make is to take it slow and easy. Most of the routes in PA I have had to do this are usually 20 mph for trucks, so creeping down doing 10 or less mph is the best solution I have found.

Ernie

Good advice Ernie. 10mph it was all the way down. Made many drivers unhappy coz there was only one lane.

I've taken that route a few times. The Wind River Canyon is incredibly beautiful, one of my Top 5 favorite stretches of road to drive for sheer beauty.

On the other hand, it's a steep, twisty, narrow road, and probably one of my least favorite stretches to drive, especially if I'm pressed for time or if it's snowing. (Yes, I have driven down that road when it was snowing. I don't recommend it.) It's a tough drive that requires your full attention and care, especially in a truck. It's not really a beginner run, so kudos to you for making it through there safely.

Bud A. You describe it well. In between trying not to curse my DM , knees trembling and a few tears, I did manage to take a few pics as proof of my misery in that 1 hour. I would look back and see a snake of cars behind but there was no way l was going to drive any faster. l was thoughtful and considerate enough to stop twice on the side where they had picnic sites to let everyone pass before continuing. Told a trainer about it and he couldn't understand why l was routed that way my first week solo. Since then, my DM chooses my routes carefully....LOL