Driving From Las Vegas To Chicago

Can someone tell me the differance between going up through salt lake and over through Wyoming and taking the route through Colorado.

Can someone tell me the differance between going up through salt lake and over through Wyoming and taking the route through Colorado.

Well from looking at a map, the most direct route would be going through colorado.. the miles differ by about 50 give or take, and then theres the SL mountains into whyoming vs Colorado mountains.. Personally, I like the drive through Colorado Mountains....

I would take I15 and then 80. Skip 70 and Colorado.

Taking I70 is a pain, especially if you're loaded heavy. Those mountains are nothing to joke about.

Plus if you don't take 70 you should get better fuel mileage because you'll be climbing mountains much less. You are adding like 60 miles by taking 15 to 80 but you'll more than make up for that time by being able to drive full speed instead of constantly crawling up mountains at 25mph.

Heading to SLC and then to Chicago is ~sixty miles longer than through Denver. The highest elevation you'll achieve is a bit over 8,600 feet. While the route through Denver via I-70 is shorter, it will take you up past 11,000 feet. You have a choice of I-80 or I-70 when you get to Denver. If you go through Wyoming, you're on 80 without an alternate.

Also, (but I am not certain about this) you cannot bypass SLC through Provo and Heber City via highway 189, as there are prohibitions on trucks through that stretch.

Wyoming can be very windy.

Summary I-80: You do not have to climb as high on the route through Wyoming, but it's longer and you can be blown around.

Summary I-70: It's a bit shorter, but you'll climb much higher. It may not be as windy as Wyoming. You have an alternate (but longer) route if needed.

Summary I-70: It's a bit shorter, but you'll climb much higher. It may not be as windy as Wyoming. You have an alternate (but longer) route if needed.

I'm no expert, but having a Plan-B is always the better alternative.

LittleJoe

Summary I-70: It's a bit shorter, but you'll climb much higher. It may not be as windy as Wyoming. You have an alternate (but longer) route if needed.

I'm no expert, but having a Plan-B is always the better alternative.

LittleJoe

Well, this would be Plan-C, as Wyoming is the Plan-B diversion from the shortest (over the road) route of Las Vegas -> Denver -> I-80 -> Chicago.

If the OP were starting farther south, closer to Barstow, I'd suggest I-40 -> I-44 -> I-55 -> Chicago. It's a shorter and lower climb to Flagstaff, then all down hill from there. There's not much in the way of traffic congestion until you get near Chicago. Indianapolis is handled by the time of day and the by-pass routes.