If you’re planning a road trip in the United States, you may be wondering whether to take I-80 or I-70. Both are major highways that stretch across the country, and both offer unique experiences along the way. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each route and help you decide which one is right for your next adventure.
The Route
I-80 spans approximately 2,900 miles from San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey. It passes through 11 states: California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
I-70 stretches about 2,153 miles from Cove Fort, Utah to Baltimore Maryland. It passes through 10 states: Utah, Colorado , Kansas , Missouri , Illinois , Indiana , Ohio , West Virginia , Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Scenic Views
If you’re looking for stunning natural landscapes along your journey, I-80 is the clear winner. The highway passes through iconic locations such as Lake Tahoe in California; Bonneville Salt Flats and Park City in Utah; Rocky Mountains National Park in Colorado; and the Mississippi River in Iowa.
On the other hand I-70 has impressive sights of its own like Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado; St. Louis Gateway Arch in Missouri; Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio; and Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland.
Weather Conditions
It’s important to consider weather conditions when planning a road trip. If traveling during winter months when snowfall could be a factor on your drive it may be better to opt for I-70 as it is less prone to heavy snowfall than I-80 which passes through the Sierra Nevada mountains and is subject to frequent closures during winter months due to heavy snowfall.
City Stops
If you’re interested in stopping to explore cities along your route, both I-80 and I-70 have plenty of options. I-80 passes through major cities such as San Francisco, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Lincoln, Des Moines and Cleveland. Whereas I-70 goes through cities such as Denver, St. Louis, Columbus and Baltimore.
Traffic
Traffic can be a major concern when planning a road trip. While both highways see heavy traffic during peak travel times and in urban areas, I-80 has more truck traffic due to its many industrial areas it passes through. If you don’t like sharing the road with big rigs then you might opt for the relatively less busy I-70.
Conclusion
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether I-80 or I-70 is the better road trip. It depends on what kind of adventure you’re looking for.
If you want breathtaking natural scenery and aren’t concerned about traffic or winter weather conditions then choose I-80. But if you’re looking for a less crowded route with fewer trucks on the road that isn’t known for winter closures due to snowfall then choose I-70.
Regardless of your choice both routes offer unique experiences that are sure to make your journey memorable!