I suspect a flat southern route in winter is best. Is any of this route flat? Ice, snow and mountain roads are a bad mix on any trip, let alone a long road trip.

Do you belong to AAA? They might be a good advisory source.

yes, Sheila! I was just there and the first triptik I did takes me through Montana, North Dakota,Minn. and those BIG cities! YIKES! lol
the mountains are over here, mostly. I'm not nervous of the Cascades... beent here done that, A LOT! lol but colorado scares me alittle, and wyoming! Is there any place in Wyoming to stop and sleep? lol

Kat, I think the first way would be the best, I live 45 miles from Rio Grande, OH, and am an alumni of the Nursing Program, my son, Brent is the Director of the local Community College, which is located in the county where I live, which is 30 miles from the main campus. Our weather right now is nice in this part of OH, it has been 70's today, for a nice change. Good luck, and hope your son likes Rio Grande college, there are some nice people in our area, so hope he feels welcome.

Oh...I wish it was a pleasure trip because you'll be soooo close to me. It's about 10 mins from my house to be in Omaha. It would be so fun to meet you.

I can't tell you what the weather will be like here...4 days ago it was nearly "0"...then Christmas was 40's and day after Christmas was almost 60. Today it was low 20 again...It changes all the time...Crazy place to live....lol

Whatever route you choose...have a safe trip.

If your trip coming back will be through Omaha let Leslie (grammahony) or I know...I bet she'd be willing to come meet you some place for lunch..

patti

unless you have grown up in NYC, LA or chicago and are an expert on 18 lane expressways avoid the milwaukee-chicago-indy route! i grew up in chicago and being an expressway driving expert i would not do that drive dec-may LOL weather is sooo unpredictable at this time of the yr & this yr they are having record snow :-( not to mention your timing between WI & chicago & northwest IN must be very exact (not between 6am-10am & 3pm-7pm) or you will sit on I-94/80-94/I-65 for 10 hrs trying to just get past chicago.

have you looked into shipping that truck via empty semi's running back to the east coast? do a search online there are companies that arrange freight tranfers like that. i had a co-worker who shipped a SUV & 25' boat from upper MI to orlando on semi for less than $1500. what about just buying a cheap used truck there? whatever route you take have a safe trip! ~ liz

kat i think the best route is I84, to I80. those roads are, for the most part, in pretty good shape, and kept clear...(discounting that the indiana toll road was closed yesterday am, and it took ds1 6 hours to drive to columbus from detroit yesterday, lol)

kat, don't worry about the "big cities". most often "trip a" has routes that avoid traffic...and frankly i'd rather those routes, than off the main hiways in this iffy weather. and they have you avoiding chicago...(the worst driving ever!)

I hate to say this cause I know you said you're stressed over it all, but half those cities in your first route can have LOTS of snow too!
Susan is right, lots of Interstates going thru large cities have by-passes that take you around the worst of it...I really like the idea of flying in and buying a vehicle once you've set foot on the ground! :)

Whatever you do, I'm thinking of you and sending good,safe,travel thoughts for you!

If you go thru the middle of ND let me know!!

Good Luck and hugs!!

Kat I live nowhere near the states you have to travel through to get to your destinations.I urge you to take the advice of the others who have said find a way to fly there and buy a truck or car or whatever when you are there. Your life is worth more than anything. Please consider that option first.

june

Kat, do you have a GPS? If not, I would get one. Good luck and safe travels.

Kat, I drove with the kids a few years ago around Thanksgiving up north to Nevada. We stopped at a motel off the interstate in Cheyenne, think it was a Best Western or something but it was freezing cold in the room. They didn't turn the heater on before we came! None of the roads were closed during the time we drove but I did notice the big gates with flashing lights they use when the roads are inpassable, kinda scary. lol.

Indianapolis is big but not bad driving through. I think the first route would be better driving, flatter, less elevation=less snow.

I would go with transporting the pickup via auto hauler. It is cheaper to transport on an open hauler than an enclosed trailer. I believe it is insured while in their possession. And they deliver to your designated sight.

If you decide to do the drive, please do so carefully. Don't drive when it's snowing or after dark. If the road isn't clear, remember there could be black ice under the snow.

Stay safe!

I looked at Nebraska's long term forcast. About the time you'll be moving through here the forcast predicts a cold front. Maybe some sleet and a little snow but long term forcasts change all the time. You'll have lots of dorm stuff to bring, I'm assuming, so you'll need a big tarp over that if it's not already covered. Just put all the more delicate stuff in water proof bags/tubs and pack it in the middle. Send everything that you don't feel safe being in the back of the truck, UPS. By now the both of you have packed a few times so a least you have a good idea of what he'll need. I'm sure your mind is full of your dad's affairs and concerns for his memorial. Your juggling quite a bit!
If you do drive I-80 I'm not to far off the interstate that if the weather turns bad you could park your pickup in one of the big buildings and sleep in the king bed in our basement. It's comfy and the big tv down there is connected to every gaget the kids own. We're about 40 mins south of Seward, NE.(which is on 1-80), that takes you to our house, 15 miles north of the Kansas border on hwy 15.
I can send you my phone # for a "just in case of snow".

Once you get into eastern parts of Wyoming and into Nebraska, it's all realativly flat or leaning towards Ohio at least. I'm guessing you'll have to leave your travel plans open to changes until the last couple days.

Kat, as some have suggested, I would not recommend driving in the winter. Midwest weather is just too unpredictable. Shipping belongings via UPS and having him fly to his destination would be safest. Also, either ship his truck or have him buy something used when he gets there.

Hey Kat. Remember we live near Boise, but did moved to Minnesota for a couple years and we also lived in Bozeman. The routes you are talking about, are not that different. The mountains are not your biggest problem, it is the blowing and drifting snow in the plains even worse in my experience than that in the mountains. If I lived where you do though, I would first check the forecast before leaving. The two northern routes have more flatland, once you get past Missoula's and Bozemans mountains. But 1-84 gets a lot of drifting and blowing over the Blues in eastern Oregon, and then the stretch between Burley Idaho and the Utah line is a really tough stretch, also from blowing and drifting. It has been closed four of the last five days. But if it is open, it is a pretty good road. You do not need to go all the way to SLC, you cut over at Ogden to catch I-80 The cities are sparse,on any of these routs, compared to where you live, but you know how far you need to travel between towns, so give yourself time to find a place for the night. Pay attention to the weather, and my best advice is to stop at truck stops along the way and asked the truckers what the conditions are, for the different sections. They are on the radios to their dispatchers and other truckers and their advice is more current and better than AAA or the state road and weather channels. It is not the best time to be traveling,but no need to be terrified of it either. If flying and shipping the truck is a possiblility, then that is a good way to go, otherwise, just be prepared. Take extra blankets or sleeping bags, food and all the other stuff they advise you to carry and you'll so fine. I am more concered about you driving home alone that going back there with your son in the car. There are several of us on your potential routes, so I will email my phone numbers to you, and if you need help near us, don't hesitate to call us. Hopefully others here can do the same. Let us know what you decided and how you will be traveling when you are able to make a choice. Also, make sure you have chains that fit you car, and practice putting them on before you take off. You and your son both need to know.
Cathy

Kat, I am always up for a road trip. To bad, we are not near each other, or I would come along.

I am a firm believer in "just do it". But, and I have to add a but here, if the forecast sucks... it could get iffy this time of the year.

Whatever you decide on, be careful. I am guessing, you are going with your son, and flying back. It will be a GREAT bonding time. :)

Moni

Oh Kat, you're gonna miss me by about 4 hrs!

I do know that 180 in OH & IN are usually clear--they really keep up on that!

Might not be a bad idea to fly in & have Ry get an old jalopy or see if he can ride with someone else--I know, almost impossible to figure all that out in a few short days--sorry Dang, wish I was close to Rio Grande--

If theres anything I can do for you, just e-mail me!!

I know its really a bad time for you, but keep your chin up & have faith!

Hugs to ya, Donna (^_^)

Thanks everyone! DH checked a few places to ship the truck. They quoted 1500 dollars... and it could take 5 to 8 weeks... I was going to drive back and fly home. He needs the car there... we don't have the money right now to pay 1500 to ship the truck, OR buy another car. This is the pits. Now we are thinking of all three of us going, but couldn't leave until Wednesday and DH thinks we can drive between the 3 of us 24 hrs the first day. He lived in Fairbanks Alaska, Montana and Idaho.. he' s a good driver. So, we might do this, as you all have SCARED me! lol Chicago.. omg...

Aww, it's just streets there! :)

24 hrs in a car??? Well, I've been in one for 18 hrs & UGH--Good luck!

Dang, wish I could help you--sooooo close & yet so far! I do have a nephew in Columbus, but heck by then you'll almost be in Rio Grande-

God Bless ya, Donna (^_^)

Dear Kat_Wa:

I am in agreement for the most part for the route that you have picked. The most unpredictable part is I-80 through Wyoming. This is an easy route when the roads are clear, and it is a main trucker's route between Chicago and the west coast. A major snowstorm can close this highway for several days. When a snowfall overwhelms Wyoming's plowing equipment, they close major highways. I-80 across Nebraska is flat and boring. If you pick up a stiff tail wind, you could coast all the way across. LOL. The remainder of the route from Lincoln, NE to Rio Grande, OH has no mountains or significat hills. major grades are caused by rolling landscape and dips into large river basins. You can handily avoid I-80 in the south side of Chicago and I advise you do so. I-80 south of Chicago and across the top Indiana is crowded with trucks and speeders. it can be a fast trip under good conditions, but can turn into a parking lot on short order. A jack-knifed truck 30 miles north of I-80 in Chicago can create a traffic backup that extends all the way back to the Illinois-Indiana border.

The route that I would try is:

1. From Wasington State, take I-84 to Salt Lake City, UT.

2. At Salt Lake City, check the road conditions of I-80 through Wyoming. If open, ok, but if closed, either wait it out or find an alternate route across the Rockies.

3. I-80 east through Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa crossing the Mississippi River at Davenport/Bettendorf.

4. Immediately after crossing the Mississippi river, take I-74 south to Galesburg, IL.

5. I-74 turns east at Galesburg. Continue on I-74 to Indianapolis, IN.

6. Change to I-70 east at Indianapolis to Dayton, OH.

7. At Dayton, change to US-36 / I-36 and follow this to Rio Grande, OH. About 50% of this part is interstate.

Get a detailed map of Dayton and plan a route either around or through Dayton whichever is your preference. Without a navigator at your side, the non-thinking and easiest route is to stay on I-70, then South on I-675 to US-35. This route is east of Dayton and totally avoids the city, but adds about a 5 mile backtrack.

More about Wyoming:

Wyoming is a high plains state with part of the the rocky mountains passing through it. The lowest elevation in the state is about 3600 ft at its SE corner.

The last time I was along I-80 (several years ago) I found motels at Rock Srings and Cheyenne.

When you first enter the state, you may see a set of huge gate arms beside the road akin to a railroad crossing. These are for closing the road.

Its too bad this is not a pleasure trip. You are passing nearby a number of historical locations.

Rock Island Arsenal, IL - site of a Civil War prison. There is a cemetery on the Island holding a large number of Confederate Soldiers. Many soldiers died at this camp from disease. Small pox ran rampant. Prisoners were taken upstream to a limestone quarry and there they cut stone used to construct some of the early permanent buildings at the arsenal. At my last count, some of these building were still standing and in use.

Galesburg, IL - Home of Robert Frost. He was born in a garage sized house.

Monmouth, IL - Birthplace of Wyatt Erp.

Dixon, IL - Boyhood home of Nixon.

Black Hawk War 1832 - Many sites and many of these forgotten. This war began in Northern IL, then into Wisconsin and westward through WI to the Mississippi river at the confluence of the Bad Axe river where the final masacre of Black Hawk's band occured.

President Lincoln mania - Although Abe Lincoln was not born in Illinois, he grew up in Illinois and spent his early adulthood in IL, and was largely self taught. he was a 23 yr old store clerk when the Black Hawk war broke out. Lincoln was a Captain for 1 month in that war. He was elected Captain by winning a wrestling match. However, he voluntered for more terms serving in a position similar to assistant quartermaster.

Vincennes, IN The site of Fort Sackville, the place where the French surrendered to a tired, rag tag group of US explorers. The leader of the group produced a sham to trick the French into surrendering. He knew that he had little chance of winning an outright battle and had to cross the Big Wabash River to engage the enemy. So waht did he do? at nightfall, he spread out his men into a number of groups, possibly as many as ten. There were only a few men per group, but the opponent did not know this. Each group kept a campfire buring all night giving an impression that an army was encamped on the river. Early, the next morning before his ruse could be discovered, he crossed the river under a white flag and demanded the French to surrender. The French's main object was fur trade, not make battle so they complied. After the surrender, the French leader asked to see a show of the troops hidden on the other side of the river, and when he saw how few it were, he became angry, but he was already under guard.

Illinois and Indiana high schools are noted for basketball, not football.

Dayton, OH - Wright Brothers.

Parke County, IN - has 30 covered bridges. These are not as picturesque as those in Vermont and New Hampshire, but this is a lagre collection for one county.

Ohio has covered bridges also.

Battelle Memorial Institute at Columbus, OH. This institute helped to develop the Xerox process and accepted shares in the fledging company for payment.

Nauvoo, IL - The site of an early Mormon town. They were attacked and then decided to leave. This was the beginning of their mass migration to Salt Lake City, UT. When they left their homes, some did a complete abandonment by leaving their houses unlocked and the front doors open. Because of this persucation, there are two Oregon trails in Nebraska: the main trail on the south side of the Platte River and the Mormon trail on the north side of the river. They took the less traveled side of the river to avoid fights and unpleasant encounters.