Driving Denver to Rapid City in December

We are looking at driving from Denver to Rapid City late December %26amp; would like advice on what we may encounter with road conditions at that time of the year.

Even though we are from Australia we have driven in America numerous times %26amp; on snow covered roads (Calgary %26amp; Lake Louise) but would prefer not to if possible. Other option would be to fly in %26amp; out of Rapid City %26amp; hire a car for the stay in Rapid City

Many thks for any replies

Driving Denver to Rapid City in December

On the plus side there really is not a lot of mountain driving on that route. But the downside would be that a lot of it is pretty much wide open spaces where the wind can really get going and the snow, if there is some, would be blowing. Except in the event of being somewhere right at the time of a big storm I find that drifting and blowing snow is often a bigger worry. Even if the roads in general are bare and dry sheltered spots and accumulate blown in snow and get packed down.

While there is no possible way to tell if it will be a warm or dry December versus a cold stormy wet one with lots of snow in general the heavier snowstorms tend to be in March. By late December though it can get very cold in Wyoming...even colder than Calgary. Coming from summer in Brisbane the difference could be brutally shocking. Plan for clothing that covers all exposed skin and avoid cotton.

Freeways, in general, are safer winter routes...both for extra attention by snow plows but also more traffic driving by to spot cars in the ditch or median. Also more frequent highway patrol. Although it would add a fair bit of distance taking I-25 all the way up to Buffalo, WY would be an option if the weather was looking not so good. Then connecting to I-90 to head east to Rapid City. Off hand I guess this would add about 115 miles (185km). If the weather is decent and the roads in good shape WY-59 between Douglas and Gillette would work and cut off the extra miles. Probably a last minute choice depending on conditions. Unless you plan to be in the Black Hills anyway and if the destination is only Rapid City I would suggest taking I-90 around the northern side of the hills. Rapid City itself can often be warmer and drier than in the hills due to downslope winds but the opposite can be true on the west side of the hills where upslope winds can drop a lot of snow.

If you decide to drive from Denver be sure what you rent has front-wheel drive. Most cars do anyway. Four-wheel drive is somewhat useful but mostly for getting going more than stopping or control. Ofted 4WD give a false sense of ability leading to over driving the conditions. Also, check and see if the rental agency provides winter driving kits in their cars. If not having a few of the items with you might not be a bad idea. A list can be found at: townpump.com/index.aspx/car_washes/winterdri鈥?/a> although I would skip the gasline antifreeze, because most gas now contains ethanol, and concentrate on the last five items.

Driving Denver to Rapid City in December

I would recommend flying in and out of Rapid rather than Denver at that time of year. It is not close, and winter weather is completely unpredictable. I%26#39;ve spent a few weekends watching tv in Interstate hotels out in the Buffalo Commons...

Wyoming is an area of high winds and driving snow. You cannot drive through it in a blizzard as visibility is zero. You need emergency survival gear in the car: Blankets, food, down jackets, shovels, etc. A regular resident just keeps those stuffed in the bottom of the trunk, but you wouldn%26#39;t have it.

You might get lucky and have smooth dry sailing, but you might not.

An interesting book about an old pioneer in the Sandhill country of western Nebraska (south of Rapid, not far) is Old Jules by Mari Sandoz. It is about more than winter weather, but explains a lot about the harshness of the country in its way.

Many thks Sequim %26amp; Ainwa for the very informative replies as they have helped us in deciding that we may give Rapid City a miss all together at that time of the year %26amp; flying in %26amp; out will now be an issue as we had to spend so much time flying to get to our next stop. We may now look at other states where the weather may be kinder. Thks again

Winter is interesting and scenic, with lots of recreational opportunities, so I didn%26#39;t mean to scare you off. It CAN be quite unkind, to use your description, and I wouldn%26#39;t want you to go out unprepared!