I am driving from Chicago to San Francisco on I 80 in a small hatchback, how dangerous is Wyoming and Utah?

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Harley Girl

All good points, and yes it will depend on which way you decide to come.
But, just make sure that your car is in great and I mean great working order.
Also, bring music, snacks and water, should you get stuck somewhere. I agree that you should not drive the canyons at night. Especially if it's been snowing. They can be hard to navigate in the dark with snow flying at you or ice on the roads. And some of them do close down if they get too bad.
Always stop before going into canyons and ask how the weather and travel is through there. And don't let your tank get below half. Some spots you can go for hundreds of miles before seeing a gas station.
Go to mapquest and map out your route so that you don't get lost. It's easy to do. Even if you think you know where you're going. Snow, rain and the dark and get you disoriented really fast. And you could end up miles out of your way.
Also, be realistic with yourself. If you feel tired, then pull over and get some sleep. Just make sure you are in a rest area or safe place. Even a Walmart parking lot is better than off the side of the road in a canyon at night. Make sure to lock you car up good. And take something to defend yourself. A bat, mace, something.
Traveling through Utah and Wyoming is pretty safe. I do it all the time, but, you just never know. Make sure to have some cash, stashed of course. And a credit card for emergencies.
Good luck, have fun and be careful.

dbake50

Dangerous? Wyoming is probably one of the safest places you can drive. There is nobody else on the highway. Just be sure you fill up when there is an opportunity. Towns can be far apart. Traveling with a cell phone is usually a good idea. Most places along I-80 can get reception. There are some high mountains, but I-80 doesn't ever get really steep. The big trucks all do okay on the mountains.

RunAmok

Bethy, Bethy, Bethy......The Rockies extend from Alaska to Mexico. The Rockies in Wyoming are much less rugged than say Colorado but they are still the Rockies. That is why the Oregon trail went through Wyoming. And Utah flat?????? Hardly

xjaz1

Not bad.. With the weather. Maybe some delays. I drove it twice. from NJ to California and back. Twice.

bobweb

Look at the weather reports before you get on the road each day. If severe weather is forecast, be prepared.

jxt299

The roads seem pretty good to me. Watch out for snow and ice. Check the weather before you go. It can get real windy across Wyoming. But the interstates there were fine last time I drove them.

R. H

The most dangerous parts are going to be Cheyenne WY to Laramie, Then Laramie to Rawlins, and Rawlins to Rock Springs. Just stop in at gas stations in each of these towns and find out about the road conditions before you travel it.

Point Guard

First of all how are you going to hit the rockies while traveling from Chicago to San Francisco? You will be going through the Sierra Nevadas if you travel the RIGHT way. And you will not have a problem, or shouldn't this time of year.

As far as Wyoming and Utah, they are both flat and the only dangerous problem you will have is falling asleep at the wheel from boredom. This brings me to your car. It doesn't matter if you have a hatchback and that it is small as long as the engine is in good working order as well as the tires are ship shape and you have had a recent oil change. Also, i would recommend some sort of musical apparatus to bring along if you do not have a cd player. MUST...HAVE...MUSIC!

Have a great trip! And...if you find yourself in the Rockies...YOUR WAAAAAY going out of YOUR WAY !!! ; )~

wildrice64

i think you will like it utah is cool but i like southern utah why dont you take the southern route?70 ithink

Olivia loves Oliver

hmm.. i would wanna take a trip like that by myself in a small hatchback. and ill be driving in three years, can't wait!!

CAREFREE

very!!!!!

homedews24u

I drove from Chicago to Utah in 2005. I drove in the summer, I couldn't imagine driving through the Rockies in the winter. But the best advice I can give you is don't drive through them at night. If you get to the mountains at night, wait at a rest stop or hotel until the sun comes up and go through them then. It's better because you can see where you are going. And also listen to weather reports, because during bad snow the road through the mountain shuts down. Take it slow, and don't ride your break. I had a family member who did that and their breaks failed and they crashed. Good luck.

kate

During snow times . . . baaaaad ,
Non snow times, good.
If you are going soon, carry chains , the Sierras just had another 2 feet of snow.
Also take water and Cliff Bars in case you get stuck for several hours.

6th Finger

I wouldn't dare. There are wild monkeys on I80 that attack small hatchbacks.

Iam_canadian

Holy Christ your nuts.......hope you have a gun and know how to use it.......Wyoming and Utah is where all the semi retarded psychotic people are put...... take an optional route......

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