By William Turner (Wturner) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 07:17 pm: Edit

I plan to drive from Austin, TX to Breckenridge, CO. What route should I take.

Map Quest tells me to go North on I-35 till mid Kansas then West on I-70 to Denver and so on.

It seems a bit out of the way but any other route would include non-interstate roads, so I don't know if they will be good to take or not, so does anyone have any other suggestions?

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 06:26 pm: Edit

I-10 to I-25 to I-70 would be a much nicer ride than going through Kansas..... You could also jump on 285 around Fort Stockton and take that up to Santa Fe, that would save you a few miles.

Axel

By DougC on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 07:24 pm: Edit

William--misread and thought you were leaving from Dallas. I live in San Antonio and have traveled the I-10 to I-25 route (using the Ft. Stockton cutoff). You could always hop on 290 in Austin and go the back way to I-10 west. Very straight forward, lots of interstate highways, and probably seventeen hours.

Or you could take I-35 to Ft. Worth, state 287 to Amarillo, I-40 to the Las Vegas, NM turnoff, and (finally) I-25 to Denver. The negative with this route is the small roads, but probably fourteen hours.

Good luck with your trip...DougC

By Bill Leek on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 07:30 pm: Edit

Actually, Axel, driving through Kansas can be a very pleasant and rewarding experience, if one has the time. There is much great, though subtle scenery in the state, especially in the Flint Hills, the Gypsum Hills and around Lake Scott and the Monument Rocks area in Western Kansas. All these areas are off the main routes. You have to hunt for them.

I had thought of giving directions through Kansas for William, but agree with you and DougC that the route through New Mexico would be quicker and more direct.

Next time you head west, if you have some time, take a extra day or 2 to see the sights in Knasas. It is not all flat and boring.

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 08:45 pm: Edit

Bill:

I am sure Kansas has much to offer, as does New Jersey (where I live), and I wasn't trying to put down Kansas. However, given a choice - and that is simply my personal preference - between the plains or the more western route, I would take the latter. Same goes if I have to choose between Route 66 (The western part of it) and NJ Turnpike. I'll go west any day.

By Kyle on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 09:22 pm: Edit

Oh my Kansass , the state that never ends... If there is something there to see I surely havnt run acrost it on 70.

Kyle

By Trucker on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 09:28 pm: Edit

The only thing you'll run across on I70 in Kansas is tumbleweeds.

By Kyle on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 09:30 pm: Edit

Damn , dont induce flash backs. I think I have spent more time in Kansass then in any other state and all because it was in the way...Makes me wonder how Dorothy got out so fast...damn..

Kyle

By John Liebson on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 02:55 am: Edit

When we lived in Crested Butte, CO, and would go to grandmother's house in MO, we had a family song:

Over the Monarch,
And through the Kansas,
And through the Kansas,
And through the Kansas,
[ad infinitum]
To Grandmother's house we go.

By wags2034 on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 01:07 am: Edit

#1 Grab a map of USA.
#2 Grab a ruler.
#3 Lay ruler on map so that it is lining up Austin Tx with Breckenridge CO.
#4 draw line.

That is your route! you're in a Rover! no problem.
brad

By Bill Leek on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 03:55 am: Edit

You are right, Kyle. There are few scenic areas along I-70 in Kansas. Some, but not very many. However, if you read my first post again, you will see that I recommend getting off the main routes in order to find the best scenery in this state. And it is worth finding. Next time you head across Kansas, from any direction, take an extra day and see what's here. Contact me and I will give you some suggestions. I think you will find it worth the extra time.