Coast to coast trip

[jdp]

I'm about to take a motorcycle trip to Vegas to pick up my wife then head to Utah , Wyoming, Montana then back east, my question is what would be a good route to take to Vegas around the 19th of August ?
Was thinking of 70 all the way to 15 then into Vegas, I did that ride a few times but now it's getting old, looking for some new ways to cross over.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Jim, how much time do you have to get out here ?

[Pete]

I70 will be hot that time of year. And you are right it is dull.
Alternate route I40 to Kingman to Vegas - also hot.

[Oss]

where you starting from?

Its all hot now

[Willow]

If you're tired of I-70 US36 will take you across a good portion of the midwest to western stretch.  It's good road and is, in fact, divided four lane for long stretches. 

[sandy]

Stay off I 40. OSS will tell you all about it. This time of year, stay North. I 70 should do it for you but 15 into Lost Wages will be hot. Carry a Camelback and drink often while riding.

[art]

HOT HOT. Been there done that. Desert riding in August. If you can do it ride at night and easy does it.Sleep in a nice motel during the day. That desert heat can kill you. A relaxing 50-55 mph night ride is good, less traffic and as long as you stay away from semi trucks you will enjoy it.

[Bighead]

Gotta go further west to make it Coast to Coast

[jdp]

I really can leave now but I need to be in Vegas around the 22, I'll be leaving from DC Baltimore area, my we will be in Vegas the 18 th threw the 26 th so I can really leave soon and just take my time to see things, some guy told me route 36 goes across the top of Kansas and joins back into interstate 70 in Denver, I hate to hurt anyone feelings but not much to look at in Kansas, Nebraska or Iowa on the interstate

[jdp]

I meant to say my wife will be in Vegas not my we.

[desertrefugee]

HOT HOT. Been there done that. Desert riding in August. If you can do it ride at night and easy does it.Sleep in a nice motel during the day. That desert heat can kill you. A relaxing 50-55 mph night ride is good, less traffic and as long as you stay away from semi trucks you will enjoy it.

   Can't argue.  But, it won't kill you if you're prepared.  Sandy and I crossed the Mojave in blinding daylight last month and it was 111 when we got to Needles.  Hot?  Oh yeah, but proper gear and plenty of water - along with a thirsty Valkyrie insure you're not in the saddle more than a couple of hours at a stretch.

[art]

Sounds like a real blast.

[jdp]

I picked up a cool vest and will take plenty of water, just not to crazy about the solo trip out.

[Solorider]

Man that's a hot ride.....sun screen and or long sleeve's a must ....my face and neck take a beating on those long hot summer rides.

Good luck ..... take breaks !!!! I always like solo rides ...easier...you can ride at your own pace ! And those long conversations with yourself Priceless 

solorider

[Solorider]

Art.

Grants pass..Or.......NICE PLACE......looking at a second place in Corvallas or Eugene....Got to ride some of those passes..and trout fish some of those rivers on the valk...was out there a month ago.....looking....for a house in the woods.....with garage... for a few of my bikes....

The people seem very present...and the wine is not to shabby either.....

[allanbegg]

Route 50 !!!

Did it from end-to-end a few years ago.

Great riding road, with the exception of a (very) few larger cities.

[baird4444]

I really can leave now but I need to be in Vegas around the 22, I'll be leaving from DC Baltimore area, my we will be in Vegas the 18 th threw the 26 th so I can really leave soon and just take my time to see things, some guy told me route 36 goes across the top of Kansas and joins back into interstate 70 in Denver, I hate to hurt anyone feelings but not much to look at in Kansas, Nebraska or Iowa on the interstate

I thought I hated Kansas but found out last year it's I-70 that I
hate. Rt. 36 across Mo. and Ks is awesome; very few towns to slow
you down. Then in western Ks. drop down and do Rt.50 across Colorado....
2 lanes across Southern Utah is an awesome ride as well.....

           just my $.02 - Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

Gotta go further west to make it Coast to Coast

He is picking his wife up in Vegas and then continuing their trip. 

[Wizzard]

I avoid interstates totally if I can. 2 lane roads are more scenic, and you get small towns, their culture and restaurants can be amazing. Sure its slower,, but that is why its fun.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I avoid interstates totally if I can. 2 lane roads are more scenic, and you get small towns, their culture and restaurants can be amazing. Sure its slower,, but that is why its fun.

Couldn't agree more.  Of all the trips I've done, I could tell hundreds of stories of people and places on the back roads . Maybe a handful on the Interstates.

[Wizzard]

Not only that,, stay in some "non chain" family owned "ma and Pa motels. Great fun.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Not only that,, stay in some "non chain" family owned "ma and Pa motels. Great fun.

We have a few times, but my wife is very picky when it comes to hotels. I've learned to just sit back and let her decide. As long as I can get to some food and beer in walking distance I'm fine.  But I will give her credit. She has saved us from bed bugs a couple times.

[Wizzard]

Not only that,, stay in some "non chain" family owned "ma and Pa motels. Great fun.

We have a few times, but my wife is very picky when it comes to hotels. I've learned to just sit back and let her decide. As long as I can get to some food and beer in walking distance I'm fine.  But I will give her credit. She has saved us from bed bugs a couple times.

I have stayed in many,, and have never encountered bed bugs. Maybe they hate me. 

[Rams]

I hate to hurt anyone feelings but not much to look at in Kansas, Nebraska or Iowa on the interstate

I honestly doubt you're going to hurt anyone's feelings.   We all look for different things.   Personally, I don't see much site seeing value anywhere along I 70 but, it's much the same along most interstate routes.   Interstates are to get there efficiently.   Back roads are for scenery.   Just my opinion.   I do a lot of interstate driving and riding due to time and money restrictions.   But, I ride the back roads whenever I can.   BTW, I grew up in KS.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

I hate to hurt anyone feelings but not much to look at in Kansas, Nebraska or Iowa on the interstate

I honestly doubt you're going to hurt anyone's feelings.   We all look for different things.   Personally, I don't see much site seeing value anywhere along I 70 but, it's much the same along most interstate routes.   Interstates are to get there efficiently.   Back roads are for scenery.   Just my opinion.   I do a lot of interstate driving and riding due to time and money restrictions.   But, I ride the back roads whenever I can.   BTW, I grew up in KS.  

I thought I70 from Denver to Grand Junction was okay as far as interstates go.

[Rams]

I hate to hurt anyone feelings but not much to look at in Kansas, Nebraska or Iowa on the interstate

I honestly doubt you're going to hurt anyone's feelings.   We all look for different things.   Personally, I don't see much site seeing value anywhere along I 70 but, it's much the same along most interstate routes.   Interstates are to get there efficiently.   Back roads are for scenery.   Just my opinion.   I do a lot of interstate driving and riding due to time and money restrictions.   But, I ride the back roads whenever I can.   BTW, I grew up in KS.  

I thought I70 from Denver to Grand Junction was okay as far as interstates go.

Ride the rest of I 70 and then tell me what you think.   Most will offer something somewhere along the route but, there's a normally a great distance between points of interest.  YMMV.

Edited:  BTW, that includes just about any interstate I've been on (and I've been on a bunch of them), not just I 70.

[Willow]

I thought I70 from Denver to Grand Junction was okay as far as interstates go.

Thee are almost always exceptions.  Even so, US 40 or US 50 are more pleasant paths across Colorado although western Colorado does get a bit desolate in places.   

[Rams]

I thought I70 from Denver to Grand Junction was okay as far as interstates go.

Thee are almost always exceptions.  Even so, US 40 or US 50 are more pleasant paths across Colorado although western Colorado does get a bit desolate in places.   

I was thinking eastern Colorado, the only good sites are in your rear view mirror but if you say it's western CO, I'll take your word on it.

Western Kansas is just like eastern CO IHMO.   When the sign says gas "Last Gas for ____ miles", don't test it.

[BF]

If you're doing interstates all the way, then a full face helmet with a mirrored visor and long sleeve tshirts with lots of bottled water.

[Rams]

If you're doing interstates all the way, then a full face helmet with a mirrored visor and long sleeve tshirts with lots of bottled water.

The last few times I've done something like that, I've used one of those water filled hiker's back packs with the drinking tube and wore it between myself and my back rest.   Drank some of the water but, the majority was used to wet the shirt I was wearing.   Worked like a charm.   

They've been around for a long time but, as is normal, I was trailing the crowd in the new and useful things. 

[..]

Get to St Louis using the zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz interstate.

Then start to use some real roads

https://goo.gl/maps/mjnFdQfuktE2

[DirtyDan]

If you're doing interstates all the way, then a full face helmet with a mirrored visor and long sleeve tshirts with lots of bottled water.

Well said BF

Full helm long sleeve tee shirt amen

Plan options then adjust as needed

Dan

[art]

Art.

Grants pass..Or.......NICE PLACE......looking at a second place in Corvallas or Eugene....Got to ride some of those passes..and trout fish some of those rivers on the valk...was out there a month ago.....looking....for a house in the woods.....with garage... for a few of my bikes....

The people seem very present...and the wine is not to shabby either.....

I lived up in the Eugene area for four years before moving to Grants Pass. We lived in Prescott,Az. for nine years. Before moving here people warned me about Oregon and the weather. Lots of rain in the winter months but really not bad. Winters here are mild compared to some places. Very little snow and the rain is not heavy, its usually a heavy mist. Some of the most beautiful forest and countryside anywhere. The late spring up to Oct - Nov.  is fantastic weather. I used to average 15000 to 20000 miles a year here on my Valk. You won't go wrong living here.