Interstate 70 (I-70)

Baltimore, MD to Cove Fort, UT

Interstate 70

Baltimore, MD to Cove Fort, UT

I-70 spans 2,153 miles from Baltimore through Columbus, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, and Grand Junction to central Utah. It is the primary central US transcontinental corridor and home to the most dangerous mountain driving on the US interstate system. The Colorado Rockies section between Denver and Grand Junction includes the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnel complex (11,013 ft), Vail Pass, Glenwood Canyon (avalanche risk), and the notorious Floyd Hill descent -- a combination that makes this 150-mile segment responsible for a disproportionate share of serious commercial vehicle accidents in North America. Mandatory chain requirements, closures, and commercial vehicle restrictions are issued regularly each winter.

Length
2153 miles
Risk Rating
CRITICAL

Risk Factors

Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel (11,013 ft elevation) Vail Pass grades and ice Floyd Hill runaway truck risk Glenwood Canyon avalanche closures Mandatory chain laws (CO) Sudden severe weather (CO mountains)

Notorious Segments

  • Floyd Hill / Georgetown, CO
  • Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnel, CO
  • Vail Pass, CO
  • Glenwood Canyon, CO

Connected Hubs

Baltimore Columbus Indianapolis Kansas City Denver

Regions

United States Northeast Midwest West