I-70 East (UT), San Rafael Reef, Exit 137 To Exit 157

[ShingleCreek]

Cool, looks like we have the same favorite stretch of scenic freeway.

An interesting bit of trivia; Spotted Wolf Canyon at 3:13 before blasting was a slot canyon only 6 feet across. It amazes me the amount of work that went into building this stretch of road.

Great video.

[FreewayBrent]

@ShingleCreek: I released an edited version of this video, last year! Forgot to delete this version that you just watched.

Thanks for the feedback; the construction of I-70 thru the Reef is truly an engineering marvel for the ages.

[DragonFly122]

4:53-6:08 I am hypnotized by the beauty of the landscape.

[mayi360]

Amazing video thanks for sharing it:) i have to drive all along the I-70 to get to Illinois all the way from Las Vegas!! cant wait

[cochrab]

That was a great video!! I drove this once in Sep 2005 coming back to Ohio from California and it left me speechless, too. I still use pics from it as my desktop background sometimes. I'm subrcribed!!

[MrTherockobama]

Everytime I look at this video I wanna go get a butterfinger blast from Sonic lol

[ryanrhea1]

AWESOME!

[deangmoxon]

that was so cool

[FreewayBrent]

@deangmoxon; Thank you! In the future, I'll have I-70 videos, all the way out to Denver.

[rare12inchsingles]

I drove this part of 70 last year and I remember vividly that there are no services for 110 miles. I came down from Provo on US 6 to go to Moab. On the way back I took 70 and my girlfriend was scared because we had no cell phone service..LOL

[firenewt95]

Absolutely lovely. If I ever get a chance to go through there I would jump at it.

[ScrewdUPClickV2]

1st comment in 3 months .. and i gotta say that is totally epic .

[jerremyl]

Awesome video!! This is also one of my favorite stretches to drive as well. Wish I were there now:)

[aswchris]

"With the plans for I-70 extended, a transcontinental route would again be attempted across the San Rafael Swell. The area west of Green River was so remote that survey crews followed wild horses with jeeps to survey parts of the route. According to a story told at the highway's dedication, by an engineer who surveyed the highway, his group was approached by a sheep rancher and asked what they were doing. The rancher fell over laughing when he was told they were building a freeway."

[MarcGetty]

@prfsnlwannabe: I think that the Dalton Highway from Coldfoot, AK to Deadhorse, AK is the longest stretch of road in the US without any services - 250 miles of very rough dirt road. In April of 2006 I made it as far as Atigun Pass in my 1983 VW Scirocco before having to turn back due to not enough traction.

[FreewayBrent]

Geez. What the heck were you doing, all the way up there? Vacation??

[MarcGetty]

@FreewayBrent: yes, I went there on vacation in 2006. 11,000 miles from Philadelphia and back in under a month.

Unlike the Dalton Highway in Alaska where I have driven and can verify the 250 miles of no services, there is also to Trans-Taiga Road in northern Quebec with 196 miles of no services, but i have not been there (yet).

The Trans-Taiga Road has approximately 196 miles (308 KM) of no services and at the end is 462 miles (745 km) from the nearest town.

[MarcGetty]

@FreewayBrent: Amazing. Thank you!

@prfsnlwannabe: I think it is safe to say that the 108 mile stretch of I-70 in Utah is the longest stretch of "interstate highway" anywhere without services. I've never seen any interstate "next services" signs greater then 100 miles other then here and I've been all over the west. I-10 through TX does not come close and I-80 through WY is still a bit far off.

[georgiaroadgeek]

What an awesome mix of scenery, music, and roads. Great job, Brent!

[FreewayBrent]

Hey man, thanks a lot!

[edgexxi]

And w/ the snow accenting the crevices of San Rafael Reef, beautiful!

[FreewayBrent]

Indeed. This was the first time I had ever driven thru here during the winter months, and I have to say, the San Rafael Reef looks even more beautiful with the snow cover.

[eluko79]

Wow! Another epic drive. Awesome work Brent.

[FreewayBrent]

Yeah, I'm always left speechless, whenever I drive thru here.

[prfsnlwannabe]

One question, what stretch of expressway REALLY is the longest one without motorist services? I've always heard I-10 in western Texas inbetwen Fabens and Kerrville(excluding Fort Stockton) is a very long stretch without many services, and I-80 in southern Wyoming inbetween Rock Springs and Laramie(excluding Rawlins) are stretches like this.

[prfsnlwannabe]

Damn, my first comment somehow didn't post. :( But amazing video, I know I cannot truly say if I like this more than I-68 in western Maryland, and its cut through Sideling Hill. I feel this is one of those expressway stretches that I'll have to drive through in person many years ahead of now, before I can make a realistic comparison between them.

Slightly troubled Utah's DOT did not put safety nets along some of those steep rock cuts, like Kentucky did along I-65, and Tennessee on I-24.

[MASTERNC]

Wow those are some interesting curves for an Interstate.

[centuryrox]

Fantastic video! I never realized Utah was so beautiful! You should work for the Chamber of Commerce, because you may have just lured me out to Utah this summer.  Heh.

[UsonianAC]

The snow cover makes the already beautiful San Rafael Reef even more beautiful!

[mariusbleek]

no man's land! I remember an episode of Survivorman where he was dropped into the remote areas of the san rafael reef for 7 days alone....I'd much rather experience it vicariously through your vid lol

[FreewayBrent]

lol, Survivorman? How long ago was this show on TV?

Yeah, I don't think I'd ever wander too far from I-70, but there are a couple of pullouts where you can take in the geological wonders of the Reef.

Glad you enjoyed this video; it truly is one of my favorites.

[mariusbleek]

yea just youtube "survivorman". It ran until 2006 for a few seasons.

[brichmer]

I found you through Freeway Jim, who I found doing highway searches. Between you two, you all have the nicest and clearest video's of your trips. I live in Indiana, so seeing the western USA is great, since I could not be able to travel like you and freewayjim does, keep up the great work. and I will be tuning in :)

[FreewayBrent]

Well those are some kind words from you. Do yourself a favor, and also watch my BC 99 video, which is my featured video on the top of my YouTube page right now. Some of the most amazing scenery you'll see in North America, behind the wheel!

[guyatacomputer]

As much as I enjoy driving the San Rafael Swell EB, I think I enjoy it going WB even more. It's so strange as you approach the wall of rock and try to figure out how they are going to get the highway through it. Also gives a better idea of the grade.

As always, thanks for the ride, Brent!

[FreewayBrent]

I only drive thru WB once, and that was in complete darkness (cloudy, and a new moon), so I can't really say anything about the westbound ride.

I'm really glad you enjoyed this video. Question, you seem to be one of my newer subscribers, so I'm wondering how you found me on here? FreewayJim's page?

[guyatacomputer]

I'm a regular on MTR

[CosmoPhotography]

Damn...

That's all I have to say. 10*'s, dude!

[AlvinHDavernport]

Truly a feat of engineering. This stretch, very much like the Atchafalaya basin stretch in Louisiana (and many others), really make you appreciate the monumental amount of work that was put into our Interstate system.

Wonderful video, Brent. Truly one of my favorites.

[XCtrackRUNnner]

sooooo cool!! great song choice too. someday i would love to take a road trip out there. 5*

[FreewayBrent]

Yeah, I-70 from I-15, out to Denver, is definitely a road for the ages. Highly recommended!

[booklover691]

Very awesome video and thanks for slowing it down:). It is very stunning but I think I-70 W. of Denver and particularly the stretch westbound from the Eisenhower Tunnel to Dillon would be a very close 2nd. I was on this road 20 years ago and in July; so it was a lot different, also I was going west. PS It seems like the snow cover gets deeper the lower you get. LOL. Keep up these great videos.

[FreewayBrent]

Yeah, I felt like it was only appropriate to slow down the footage thru the reef; it's a geological spectacle that never ceases to amaze me. One of these days, I'll get out to Denver to record a bunch of videos, including I-70 thru Glenwood Canyon and the rest of the ride, out to Denver. Glad you enjoyed the vid!

[wceagle4life]

Google Earth does not do that road justice. I'm picking my jaw up off the floor as we speak!

[FreewayBrent]

I guess this means I'm not the only one who thinks this stretch of I-70 is dramatic as I interpret it!

[uptownbronze]

Hee, hee. Ah, modest and humble to boot. Ur welcome, man. UB

[uptownbronze]

With all due respect to the YT driving community. This stretch of UT is the breath-taking I ever seen. Brent, excellent work. Dis old road hog bows downs to ya. UB

[FreewayBrent]

Yeah, I cannot think of a major freeway, much less a major roadway, that traverses thru a similar-landscape, perhaps *anywhere* on the planet. I'm glad you enjoyed this footage of such a spectacular stretch of roadway.

[Freewayjim]

Wow, and I thought the cut at Sideling Hill (MD) was special, that is awe-sinspiring.

Can you imagine what it was like building I-70 through there?

[ScrewdUPClickV2]

ok im speechless