Eagle trip

[Cary and Don]

We are planning on a trip to Moab, UT and then to Zion.  We are debating our route,  Reno to Salt Lake City on I-80 to Moab, or Hwy50 to Moab, or Las Vegas through St. George to Moab.  Are there any roads we need to avoid?  It looks like no man's land going 50 or I-80. Somebody said 50 was a cool drive,  but I didn't see any towns anywhere on the google satellite.

Don and Cary

[Utahclaimjumper]

 Reno to SLC then I15 south to I70, straight east to Moab. If you are going to catch Zion on the way back from Moab, then I70 then down I15 to St. George would be the route.>>>Dan

[Kajun_Taz]

We ran HWY 50 from Cali all the way to Kansas City a couple years ago on our way back form a west coast vacation... and I'm here to tell ya... it IS the loneliest highway in the world... just like they say... MILES and MILES and MILES of..... NOTHING but the road... and some even had grass growing on it.. Wife and I were somewhat surprised to see that so little traffic on it there was grass growing on the actual roadway... LOL
Planning another trip through there in the near future, again in late spring, early summer, instead of late summer but will be in our bus so we just may boondock along the way in the areas that have NOTHING for miles and miles...

[usbusin]

We drove Highway 50 in Nevada several years ago (June of 2009).  A neat drive, two lane few cars.  We camped at the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge (no fee) 15 miles east of Fallon, NV.  Then we camped at Hickson Petroglyph (no fee) 24 miles east of Austin, NV.  Both very interesting places.

Highway 50 is known as the Loneliest Road in America  Here is a link:  http://byways.org/explore/byways/2033/

Just don't break down.  I don't remember what the cell phone service was like, but it could be a long, long wait!!

GaryD

[luvrbus]

It's probably out of the way for you but we go I 40 to Flagstaff take 89 to 160 ,160 to 163,163 to 191 nice drive even the AZ route and the cell works Moab coming from the west is a tough spot to get too

 Ely on 50 in Nev can get cold and nasty this time of the year when they say summer is over it is over   

I haven't check the weather on your routes but you need to pay attention to weather on 50 Ely will probably be 40 degrees or colder at night in the next couple of weeks

[Utahclaimjumper]

To make the return trip to Zion interesting, go west on I70 from Moab to I15 south to state 20 (just north of Parowan) then east to old 89 south down thru a valley of old Mormon grandfather(founder) towns to the back side of Zion. Going thru Zion southbound lets you out at St.George and back to I15.>>>Dan   

[lvmci]

Hi Dan, are there any height limits for the buses, going thru Zion, I seem to remember the tunnells being low, but its been a while, lvmci...

[Cary and Don]

We are planning on late Sept and early Oct.  Is the weather going to get nasty?  We aren't planning on going to any high elevation.  40 at night and 60s in the day is all right,  but sure don't want to see snow. Guess we won't have to worry about over heating. All those routes looked like there could be nothing for a 100 miles.   LOL

Don and Cary

[luvrbus]

You will have snow on 50 in late Sept, Ely is 6700 ft and the wind blows some high passes on 50 one is over 8000 ft,use the southern route through St George

[Cary and Don]

50 is out, that's for sure.  Leaning toward I-80 to Salt Lake, South to Moab, and then to St. George, Las Vegas, and back up 395. About three weeks.

Don and Cary

[Utahclaimjumper]

 You will clear both tunnels fine, but will have to be "escorted" thru ( their version of "escort" is to stop all traffic going the opposite direction and allow you (and others) to procede thru so you can go thru the center of the tunnels where the arch is the highest. A fee is involved for this "service" and its NOT optional.>>>Dan

[luvrbus]

Yep you can clear it cost $15.00 for the escort and $25.00 for the park entry fee $40.00 total to drive one crappy road on Sept 28 they charge no entry park fee 

If you are old enough get a Golden Age Pass or what ever they call it now it saves you some bucks here in the west it works on park fee but not on the escort

[Cary and Don]

We will be getting there in Oct. Start in the north late Sept. and drop south.  There seems to be a lot to do in southern Utah.

Don and Cary

[akroyaleagle]

If I read your post right, you are going to Moab first.

I drove these routes in June. Here is my recommendation:

I-80 to SLC, I-15 South to US 50, east to I-70, east to US 191 South to Moab.

Return US 191 North to I-70, then west to I-15, then South to the St. George area, then tow car to Zion and back. If you've not been there, also consider Bryce national Park.

I would advise against taking the coach through Zion for the reasons already given. If you don't have a Jake, westbound through Zion might be interesting depending on your confidence level. East bound has a pretty good climb depending on your hp. I advise against State 20 for the same reasons. It's only 19 miles, but it is crooked and a bit steep in places.

[Utahclaimjumper]

 Bryce canyon would be great but that late in the season would surely be snow at that level.>>>Dan