me - I have often run from Idaho Falls to Charleston (or to NJ) for the last 7 yrs - watching the weather channel is a must - you have a high probability of changing your route from I-90 to I-80 - snow tires are mandatory, NOT all-season -there are only a few routes over the Rockies - Nebraska rest stops have the best weather reporting info - Chains or cable would be a very good idea - you are going to hit 2-3 weather fronts - there already has been a high plains blizzard w/40+" of snow closing down I-90 in SD for days - a bad snow storm WILL CLOSE the interstates, gates will come down and signs wil tell you to return to the town you just left - when the road is clear, they will not let you proceed without snow tires (and chains on some of the mountain passes) - even if weather is clear, if there is snow on the ground, drifting or wind-blown snow across the highway will result in ice and treacherous driving - mountain passes always have sections "where the sun don't shine",so again beware of ice (I've even seen that on I-26 in NC on a sunny day) - remember, if you hit ice, keep the wheel straight, foot off the gas, AND DON'T HIT THE BRAKES! - always check the weather, morning, noon, & night - it can change that fast - be aware cell phone service is not available in many remote sections out west - ALWAYS fillup before you get down to 1/4 tankful, it's a long way between gas stations out west

It's a wonderful drive with many gorgeous views - I hope you have time to take some pics along the way - let me know if you have more questions

Thanks Mark?

I am already here. The information you listed is very good and should be placed in a sticky. Begin from Pennsylvania, and knowing how bad driving in moderately bad weather can be, and also knowing many of the facts you listed above, I decided to take the southern route across 40 into Vegas and then North.

I suppose I still could have been stuck in SLC, or in Idaho, but I knew that route would be far better than going through South Dakota and other northern states.

BTW, How does an X5 perform with the performace tires and chains? I will be taking the trip back home in the spring and would like to experience the northern route, but buying a set of snows just to use them once is not appealing. If the X with chains is not sufficient it will have to be the southern route again (this time down the coast to LA - then over to 40).

I think the Owners Manual says not to use chains :dunno:

Do truckers still use CBs ?

Absolutely...though most I pass are gabbing to the
wife/girlfriend/buddies on their cell phones. But, a
handheld CB is still pretty good on road trips for a quick
road/weather/ traffic situ check from the truckers coming
from the opp. direction, imo.

blktoptrvl,
You ought to try dodging tumbleweed on a scoot, at near wide open
throttle...a pucker situ. :yikes:

Open range cattle, sheep and antelope get one's attention, too.
Hope your trip is going well; I loved our wide open spaces rides.
GL,mD

'cept for the t-weeds it's beautiful out here!
Enjoy the trip!

:iagree: this is critical stuff. Should have brought it up, but my error in assuming everyone has basic knowledge and experience driving in snow and wintery weather. :(

If you have little experience in the snow, it's not a bad Idea to find an open lot and experience a panic stop, turning, braking etc... in a relatively safe place. Your movements and the cars reactions are different.

The highway is no place to spend even one night. We always keep energy bars, wool blanket, extra gloves, water and a tarp (if you have room) on any winter trip. Besides lighter, matches, flashlight, REAL electrical tape and a basic tool kit.

Sorry for the late post - did not see the date until after I posted

Be aware that performance tires on snow turn the X into a toboggan - I can hear james taylor singing. "slip sliding away" - cable vs chains would be better to miminize scratching your wheels, but finding ones that fit may be a problem if you are running a staggered set (Sears, tire dealers)

Ha-a-a, Springtime! - Heading east usually is not too bad, as you tuck yourself behind a weather front and ride in the fair skies behind it - the fun starts when you get out of sync (stopping overnight, or a slow moving front) - now you are looking to avoid hail, severe T-storms, and the ever popular TORNADO :wow: - at the risk of jinxing myself, I have so far missed the hail & tornados - it's almost impossible to not hit T-storms (especially westbound in the spring) - again, most of the rest stops have weather TV, so check up on what's happening - and hope where you stay overnight doesn't lose power (no a/c, no lights, no internet, no getting back into the room!!!!) - I'm doing the I90 route back to ID as I have to pickup a bunch of things my friend's daugther has in storage that did not fit in the trailer when she moved back to ID - late May - did I also mention the possibility of flooding? :D

Sounds like real fun!

I read all the time that in case of a tornado you should abandon your vehicle and lay flat in a ditch.

That is so counter intuitive that I wonder how many can actually do it.