adisim

Hi- We want to drive from NY to Colorado in mid-January. I figure that the northern route (I-80)runs too great a risk of storms. What alternative route would you recommend (4-5 nights on the road)- I-81 (through the appalachian?)to I-40 to I-25 or I-81 to I-64 to I-70. Could a Ford Taurus in very good condition do it? Should I rent a 4-wheel drive? What kind? Thanks for any advice on a trip like this in winter (I've done this in summer).

J_Correa

For that long of a trip where there could be snow, I would go with a 4 wheel drive - that way you wouldn't have to chain up.

djkbooks

I live in New Hampshire and drove a Taurus 25 miles each way back and forth to work for five years. I felt very safe driving it (when necessary) during snowy weather and never had a mishap. No matter what you're driving, it's best to have a contingency plan and pull off until the weather lets up and the roads have been cleared whenever prudent. I would recommend bringing along AAA guides or an interstate guide (you can download excellent interstate guides for your PDA) in case you need to find lodging for the night along the way.

More often than not, the vehicles you see off the road during hazardous conditions are 4WD SUV's - many driving them feel omnipotent and breeze by you as though the pavement were bare and dry, only to be off the road a few miles farther. 4WD vehicles are great for not getting stuck in snow, but are of no advantage on ice, slippery roads, and do not stop on a dime under those conditions, as some apparently believe. They also consume far more fuel.

Borealis

I live in Canada and I can tell you that we have lots of winter and we drive all the same sorts of vehicles that you drive in the U.S.
We have driven everything from small Chevrolets to vans to larger SUVs, and if it is snowing, it doesn't make much of a difference - the critical thing is to drive carefully, and slowly.
I often wonder though - whatever happened to winter tires?? When I was a kid I remember that it was always a fall ritual for my Dad to change the tires on the car before the first snow fell.
This past weekend we were in the Rocky Mountains (here in Canada), there was quite a bit of snow on the side roads (the highways were clear), and we had no problem driving with our mid-sized sedan.

dfrostnh

I think the important thing is that you probably already have some winter driving experience if you live in NY. I got my first 4 wheel drive vehicle last fall but have had excellent experience with front wheel drive minivans. My front wheel drive minivan could make it up a snowy steep hill that other cars couldn't. I have done fine on icy roads using caution. Waiting out bad weather is the best advice. Worry about the other drivers too! Sometimes the roads in our town have been so bad that the sand truck has been unable to get every road (rain on ice). I can go thru deeper snow with 4 wheel drive but you shouldn't be driving under those conditions. (I live on a dirt road and sometimes it hasn't been plowed when I'm coming home from work.) Your Taurus and common sense should be enough.

ltt

live in canada, driven for 25 years without 4 wheel drive. the worst would be that chains are required on tires on some passes if there is a storm. but, again, been to the rockies hundreds of times and never had to use chains.

adisim

Thanks for all your replies. I'll stick with my car but will get chains. Any advice on routes?