Driving Interstate 80 East in Western Utah. Don't miss

[scottking57]

@cochrab, haha I bet. I can't believe there was NO rest stops or cops in the area. I mean, that's UT but still, you could go 120mph and not get caught, even though it's very risky. It sure would be fun, I'm you had a good drive. Nice job!

[scottking57]

Dang! Livin' on the fast lane. Nice.

[cochrab]

@scottking57 This is a beautiful stretch (being from Ohio and all). It is such a contrast to anything east of the Mississippi River. I want to go back.

[edgexxi]

When I go from Tucson to Los Angeles, I usually gun it to 100 between Blythe and Indio. I would think here on this part of the 80 fwy I could probably get it up to 120. Something for me to try once in my life. Good video!

[cochrab]

@edgexxi Thanks for the comment and for watching. 120 MPH would be very doable on this stretch. Not sure how they patrol it (both times I've been through here I saw not one police car) but I'll bet if they caught you you'd pay dearly.

[cochrab]

@ScooterGuy29 It is indeed a lonely stretch of road, and I never saw any police either time I drove this stretch. The only speeding ticket I have ever got in 22 years was in Wells, Nevada on an equally desolate stretch of I-80. I came around a curve and there was nowhere to go...Just goes to show you that trouble hides where you aren't expecting it. "My" officer was very nice and went pretty easy on me considering the speed I was traveling...

[shawnofdenver]

This is like I-80 in Nebraska. Boring.

[cochrab]

@shawnofdenver I much prefer this to the Nebraska section...

[rplm1986]

This reminds me of what it feels like to drive on I-75 from Naples, FL to Ft Lauderdale, FL....one hour or so of driving in a straight line, completely flat and with nothing but marshlands on both sides of the road. The only difference is that there are 2 rest areas and a few exits as well, which takes away some of the fun.

[cochrab]

@rplm1986 Ahhh, you must be referring to "Alligator Alley". Very good comparison there! Thank you for watching and for posting!!

[rplm1986]

@cochrab yes Alligator Alley!...by the way have you ever driven from San Diego to Sacramento on I-5?? If so, what type of scenary should I expect?? I am going to do that trip in November and I am very excited about it.

[cochrab]

@rplm1986 I have driven (on two separate trips) from San Diego to L.A. on Interstate 5 and from L.A. to San Francisco, much of that on Interstate 5 (up to Gilroy, CA which is the garlic capital of the world). From what I remember the section from San Diego to L.A. was pretty suburban a lot of the way, I do remember passing Camp Pendleton AFB. On up north of L.A. I remember mountains that somewhat resembled those in my Columbia River Gorge Video. Both of these rides were before I had video camera

[modelsnbottles]

@rplm1986 if fuel budget isn't an issue i'd recommend taking the 101 from LA up the pacific coast highway to the bay area, then the 80 from bay to sac... i'm guessing you're not a californian native in which case the coast > central valley

[rplm1986]

@modelsnbottles many people have suggested I take the same route because it is worth it, which I do believe based on some pics I have came across. however the only issue I have is time since it would add an extra 2 hours to my trip by driving from San Francisco to Sac and I want to arrive as early as possible that day....and by the way I am from Florida but very looking forward to move to California in a few years!

[modelsnbottles]

@rplm1986 definitely. tip to save time, rather than take the 5 thru LA which is 3 lanes in central/east LA, take the 405 to the 110 and merge back with the 5 past downtown. those both have 4/5 lanes at all times and significantly lowers chance of getting stuck.

[rplm1986]

@modelsnbottles Thanks I'll keep that in mind! I have heard so much about L.A traffic that I am starting to believe that getting stuck in is part of the city tour. On a side note, anyone knows what is the fastest way from Tampa, FL to Jacksonville, FL?? Not sure if I should take I-4 to I-95 or I-75 to U.S-301 then to I-10.

[InterstateKyle]

Iol i drove this about a week before you did and it was our first time driving across the salt flats and i've never seen anything like that before. Great Video! thumbs up!!

[cochrab]

@InterstateKyle That stretch is amazing, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks for watching and for commenting!

[blackdogprod]

I missed the exit going from SLC to Tooele...ended up driving an additional 28 miles round trip going to the next exit and back

[cochrab]

@blackdogprod Haha, I hate it when that happens! Actually I believe this stretch is (or was) listed in the Guinness Book for being the worst place to miss an exit (meaning how far you would have to drive to get to the next one). Thanks for watching and sharing your story!

[blackdogprod]

@cochrab

Hey, thanks for the vid!

Speaking of "playing autobahn", since there was Great Salt Lake on both sides of the road and no place for the cops to hide, I kept my foot in it and got up to 132 mph (with a lot more left) before I chickened out. Bugs got embedded in the paint.

I never thought about them using a helicopter or light plane for speeders...hmmm...!

[cochrab]

@blackdogprod Trust me, I'm sure they patrol somehow. I got busted for going 96 MPH in a 75 MPH zone in Wells, Nevada back in 2005. There was nothing there, anywhere, and I came around a curve at the base of a mountain and there he was... It's my only speeding ticket in 22 years of driving. I wanted to open her up so bad on this stretch, but memories of my last trip kept my desires in check. What were you driving? Sounds like a great time!!!

[blackdogprod]

@cochrab

A mildly modded ("chipped") 2008 Volvo S60. I think I could've topped out just under 150.

I'd completely forgot about them using aircraft to catch speeders until reading the comments here. Driving on highway 6/50 ("the loneliest road in America" according to Life magazine) through Utah and Nevada, I asked my dad why there were white airplanes painted on the road. He said that they watched from above; timed how long it took to you drive a given distance; and calculated your speed!

[blackdogprod]

Highway 50 through Utah and Nevada is amazingly remote. When you leave Delta, Utah, you see a sign announcing no services for over 100 miles. "Bring water". I drove over 100 miles on hwy 50 a few years ago and saw a grand total of 3 cars going the opposite direction. Don't get a flat there!

[s0SlCk]

I'm driving from NY to LA next week, and this is the part of the drive that I'm looking forward to, strangely enough. I'm from the city so I've never really been around flat, wide open lands before. Hopefully there's a few gas stations along the way!

[cochrab]

@s0SlCk You're in for a great drive! If you get a chance, PM me and let me know what route you're taking. I assume you're planning on Interstate 80, but if you were to take Interstate 70 instead (at least west of Denver) there are some fabulous views you wouldn't want to miss. Namely, the Eisenhower Tunnel, Vail Pass, Glenwood Canyon (all in Colorado) and the San Rafael Swell in Utah. I have videos up of some of these, and one coming for Glenwood Canyon on Sep 30. Have a great and safe trip!!!

[s0SlCk]

@cochrab I'm hitting I-80 to I-70 to I-15. I'm looking forward to the part of the drive from Nebraska onward. I think the route from NY-Illinois will be pretty boring, so hopefully days 3-5 of my drive when I hit Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California will be better than the first two! Thanks, I'll come back after my drive to check out your vids and reminisce!

[cochrab]

@s0SlCk If you take I-80 West through NJ and PA, then get on I-76 in Ohio to I-71 South to Columbus (where I live) you can get on I-70 there and not pay the tolls on I-80 across Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. It's not really out of your way since you will ultimately be getting on I-70 anyway. This would route you through Missouri and Kansas instead of Iowa and Nebraska, however. I've been both routes. I-70 West from Denver on is a MUST. You will not be sorry. What are you driving?

[s0SlCk]

@cochrab I'm driving a moving truck, unfortunately. It's a 16 footer, so it's not too bad. Thankfully it has a 30+ gallon engine, so I'll be going about 300 miles before I need to fillup. Obviously once I hit the middle of the country, I will fill up everytime I go below half a tank. I'll probably stick with the route I have mapped out already as I'm traveling for business and won't be paying for any tolls etc. Hopefully with 8-10 hours of driving per day, I'll make it to LA in 5 days

[cochrab]

@s0SlCk How exciting! I've driven to all 48 of the "Lower 48" but I've never lived anywhere but Ohio. I must admit that I'm a bit envious, moving from NYC to LA sounds so cool! Is this move temporary or permanent? At what point do you plan to go from I-80 to I-70? Colorado and Utah are truly a sight to behold! I wish you the best in your move!!!!

[s0SlCk]

@cochrab I'm not moving, just moving work supplies back to California in the rental truck and flying back to NY, which I'm sure will be a welcoming flight after 5 days of driving. I think the switch to I-70 comes at the end of Nebraska, or not far past there. So I'll be heading through Colorado, Utah and Nevada on the last part of my trip. That's the part of the drive that I'm looking forward to! Thanks for all you're help, I'll let you know how it went when I get back!

[s0SlCk]

@cochrab I have returned! lol. Driving that truck was certainly not fun, but driving through the Rocky Mountains, the mountains of Utah and the deserts of Nevada and California were experiences that I'll always remember. The views were amazing and terrifying at certain points, being that a blown tire would have sent me off the side of a mountain or into a gorge, but all in all, I'm glad that I'll always be able to say I drove across the country.

[cochrab]

@s0SlCk First, I'm glad to hear that you're back safe! What a cool experience! What was your favorite section of interstate and cities that you saw? I'd love to hear all about your trip. If you ever get time, PM some of the details to me. That's the kind of trip I get giddy just thinking about!!!!

[s0SlCk]

@cochrab I randomly just came back to YouTube and saw your comment...two months later. My favorite section of interstate was definitely I-70 heading west through the Rockies. The mountains in Utah were also great scenery. Nevada was kind of depressing, because it was one giant desert until Vegas, which took about 20 minutes to drive through. I drove 10 hours a day, averaging around 550 miles and made it across the country in 5 days.

[s0SlCk]

@cochrab I didn't see too many cities. I stopped for a night in West Des Moines, Iowa, stayed 10 minutes outside of Denver another night and spent my last night in LA before flying home. Those were the three biggest cities I stayed in, but being from NYC, they didn't seem very big at all. I stayed in hotels right off the interstate for the other 3 days of my trip. It was an awesome experience. I'd actually like to do it again with a friend and stop in each major citiy along the way for a vaca.

[nostalgiamelancolia1]

I drove down this stretch of I-80 that goes through the Great Salt Lake desert in western Utah.it was amazing because this stretch of I-80 is about 50 miles long from the Nevada-Utah state line,and it goes straight all of the time.it was a windy day when I drove through the desert,and all drivers had to slow down a little because we couldn't see very clearly up ahead.the salt was being blown by the wind and it looks like we were driving through a densely foggy area.I'm a road enthusiast.

[cochrab]

@nostalgiamelancolia1 I love that stretch of interstate 80. That would have been a sight to see, the wind blowing the salt like that. Thanks for the story, it's always great to hear from another road enthusiast!

[Polschinski]

Man, you'll go crazy when you drive thru there

[cochrab]

@Polschinski Perhaps it's because we have nothing like this in Ohio, but I love that stretch. I don't get out that way often, but I always enjoy it. Perhaps it would be boring if you have to drive it frequently.

[Libra95932]

@cochrab. well, there is not much to see at night (it is dark, lol) Only thing I saw was the lights from the prisions (and those darn pink poke a dot elephants and grey wolves running arcross the highway in front of me, LOL) So the road didn't per say make me drowsy...just made me see things that were not there.

[cochrab]

@Libra95932 I guess the reason I'm fascinated with this area at night is because I'm interested in astronomy and I would think this a "stellar" viewing area (pardon the pun, I had to). Of course those prisons might make me think twice about stopping! Thanks for the reply!

[ChrisK529]

I like how they state the obvious at 4:18: " Drowsy Driving Causes Crashes". Duh!

It is an awesome stretch of highway; thanks for posting it. Another stretch of perfectly flat land is in the Texas panhandle, except there are occasional signs of civilization along the way.

[cochrab]

@ChrisK529 Thanks for watching. Which highway in Texas are you referring to? I also have footage from Interstate 70 across the San Rafael Swell in Utah that I plan to make into a video. It is equally desolate with a completely different landscape! There is a sign before the Interstate 70 Eastbound entrance (in Salina, Ut) informing that there are no services for over 100 miles.

[ChrisK529]

@cochrab It's been over 20 years since I've driven it, but US 87 from Dalhart to Dumas in Texas and then into New Mexico almost all the way to Raton - flat as a table.

[Libra95932]

@cochrab I can't remember exactly where we were. But, If I had to guess I would say like 20 miles passed the second sign. And it was like 3 in the morning.

[cochrab]

@Libra95932 I would love to see this area at night!

[JohnEdwardBiggs]

I watched the entire video, does this make me crazy! I live in VA, so this is pretty intriguing to me lol

[cochrab]

@JohnEdwardBiggs If you feel crazy for watching it, I must be even crazier for recording it! I live in Ohio and I was blown away with Utah. The section from this video, Salt Lake City, and Interstate 70 across the San Rafael Swell are my favorites. Be watching for more footage from this beautiful state! I have it, I just have to get videos ready.

[JohnEdwardBiggs]

@cochrab Yeah I've never been to Utah before. I always thought they had a lot more mountains and hills, so I was surprised to see such emptiness. I just subscribed to your channel, so I'll be on the lookout for some more awesome videos from Utah and other endeavors you decide to make.

[N0vakDj]

Awesome video! Utah is such a beautiful place. I've driven that stretch of highway before. So flat, so straight, so barren. Loved it.

[cochrab]

@N0vakDj It was love at first drive for me as well! Thanks for watching!

[moonbeaches]

Once when I was 18, took a bus from Napa, Ca to SLC, Ut. A huge snowstorm was in Utah. The bus got a flat tire. Bus Driver called for service help... Amazing. The service truck was very long way off ... but on the highway. The bus had run off the road undetected till the service truck came.

[cochrab]

@moonbeaches Wow, what an adventure. At least (I assume) you guys had heat while you were waiting. I've never been to that area in the winter.

[MrSkooty5]

I'm VERY surprized that there is a spped limit on that highway..Utah SHOULD lift the speed limit there.. An American Autobahn might be in the offering? Would me VERY NICE!!!

[cochrab]

@MrSkooty5 I thought the limit might be 80, but nope. There was once no limit in Montana, just "Reasonable and Prudent" but since most people are neither, the limit is now set at 75 there as well.

[aswchris]

amazing drive... endless straight... no exits. no civilization. No awareness of speed.

[cochrab]

@aswchris You pretty much summed up my feelings of this stretch. Believe me, the camera does not do it justice.

@bsdpowa It would certainly be a bad place to run out of gas!

@edviperrr Thank you for watching!

@RaiZuka92 Boring is in the eye of the beholder. I happened to like this stretch and from what I'm seeing, so do plenty of others.

@Libra95932 Wow, a helicopter? Where approx were you stopped?

@GlobalistPotato Because people are neither reasonable nor prudent...

[bsdpowa]

funny how an empty straight strech like that can be more dangerous than a crowded city highway

[edviperrrr]

Nice drive man. I also like driving in Utah too.

[RaiZuka92]

It's boring because there's nothing but flat land and the highway goes straight down for a long ass time.

[RaiZuka92]

@RaiZuka92 Nevermind, I take that back. I thought it went straight for a couple hundred miles (like Interstate 5 in California's Central Valley), till I google mapped it. My bad

[cochrab]

@RaiZuka92 No worries, man! Thanks for the post.

[Libra95932]

I used to drive Greyhound back in the summer of 2000. From Reno to Salt Lake City. And there were a couple of times a semi's would pass me doing at least 95-100 MPH. But, I remember the signs warning of "do not pick up hicthhikers" due to the prisions out there. But, trust me the area is patroled by something. Cause one time I stopped on the side of the road to give my passengers a smoke break and within 15 minutes there was a helicopter above us.

[GlobalistPotato]

Why is there a speed limit on this section of highway?

[FreewayBrent]

As for enforcement of the speed limit, yes, on some days, you really need to watch your speed. My friend got pulled over (with me as a passenger) for doing 83 thru the 75 zone. We saw about 15 state troopers along this stretch that day. Other times, you won't see a single officer out there.

[cochrab]

@FreewayBrent Yes, I got busted in Wells, Nevada in 2005 for speeding in a 75 MPH zone. It's the only ticket I've ever had. I was clocked @ 96 MPH (no lecture, please). The officer was really cool under the circumstances and wrote the citation for 80 MPH, so it could have been much, much worse. I pretty much obeyed the limit this time around! :>)

[FreewayBrent]

@cochrab: lol, no lecturing from me. I topped 100 MPH along I-80 in this video when I first drove it, just to see what it'd be like. Then I saw sirens in the distance and that was the end of that. I rarely drive over 80 MPH anymore, usually 69 - 73 in areas with a 65 MPH speed limit, but I'll drive with the flow of my lanes, even if it means kicking it up to 80 in the left lanes.

[interstateruler]

The Salt Falts was once a ocean. I can see the Tree of Utah. The ocean dried up and it is now desert

[FreewayBrent]

@interstateruler: Lake Bonneville, which once covered most of the Great Basin.

[FreewayBrent]

Oh man. I thought it was pretty neat driving thru here on my first trek in 2001. But now I absolutely dread the straightest 100 miles you'll ever see. I can't be the only person who feels the same way; there are numerous signs that warn about drowsy driving, due to the highway hypnosis that is common along this stretch of I-80. I wish they would raise the speed limit to 80 MPH thru there to get me to SLC as fast as possible, lol.

[cochrab]

@FreewayBrent Man, I loved that stretch! I guess it might get old if you drive it regularly. I would love to see this area at night. I've read that on a clear night the only thing that obstructs the view of the lights of Wendover is the curvature of the Earth. I'll bet you could see a million stars from the Flats!

[RaiZuka92]

@cochrab but my honest opinion is that it's only boring after being on it so many times (BTW I never been to Utah before) . I used to enjoy riding from Bakersfield to Los Angeles back in the day, but now it's like nothing.

[cochrab]

@RaiZuka92 I think you're right about that. I really like it because it's different from anything here in the Midwest, but if you drove it every day you would probably just want it to be over with. There's also the fact that I like to drive more than the average person.

[RaiZuka92]

@cochrab Indeed.

[willubhave2]

If I were there-I would max my Engine out till it blew-lmao

[cochrab]

@willubhave2 lol, That's no place for a breakdown!!

[Freewayjim]

Wow, that's really wide open, it would not surprise me if people's speeds kept creeping up and up after a while, lol. Iunique stretch of road, nice work!

[cochrab]

@Freewayjim Thanks Jim, yes it is easy to lose track of your speed there. That stretch is like nowhere else I've ever been.

@haljackey It's crazy straight, too!

@AndreyPurtov Yes, you could cruise about as fast as you wish there. I've never seen police through there.

[haljackey]

Crazy flat!

[AndreyPurtov]

Cool place for freaking speeding there :)

[Bryant5493]

Nice video, Brian. Very wide open freeway there.

[cochrab]

@Bryant5493 Thanks for watching, Bryant. It's a very enjoyable section to drive though I would hate to have a breakdown out there!