Road Trip out West

[sirben711]

Hello everyone,

I am planning on doing a road trip out west to the mountains later this year. Going to be leaving form Missouri heading South West out to Las Vegas. Then north to Yellow Stone and back south to Denver. Colorado will be really exciting. I am planning on 1. riding my bike up Pikes Peak - starting at the hill climb start line and 2. then driving my car up to the top as well.

So my questions are; how should I expect my Ecoboost mustang to behave with the elevation changes (9000 ft elevation vs being at basically sea-level now). What types of fuels are available out there? 93 is easy to come by here in Missouri. What should I do to my car to prepare for this trip?

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[KingKona]

Just fine.

Varies from state to state.

Fresh oil and proper tire pressures.

 

[69mach1-395]

You will not find 93 in Colorado most likely, maybe 91. But that's for a reason...you don't need 93 at higher elevations. FI does great there compared to NA. Do nothing to your car but maintain it, like a clean air filter, etc...

 

[SheepDog]

No 93 here.

Although the turbo/wastegate can make up for some loss in boost pressure, you will be down on power from what you are used to.

Bring a large bottle of Oxygen with you, if you plan on even attempting to bike up Pikes Peak. People come here all the time from sea level to go skiing, biking etc. and end up in the hospital instead due to altitude sickness.

 

[jcttraveler]

you WILL get chips in your paint or windshield. If the prospect of that bothers you, I think there are ways to minimize the damage/impact at least for the paint. I've made two round trips from VA to CA in the last couple of years. Consider loading some audiobooks or podcasts on your phone. Enjoy the trip. (most of the gas will be 91, but it didn't impact my fun.)

 

[sirben711]

Bring a large bottle of Oxygen with you, if you plan on even attempting to bike up Pikes Peak. People come here all the time from sea level to go skiing, biking etc. and end up in the hospital instead due to altitude sickness.

That's why I am gradually getting use to the altitude. Vegas is like 2000 ft. Salt Lake is 4000, Yellowstone is 8000 ft. I hope a few days at each will ease my into it haha

you WILL get chips in your paint or windshield. If the prospect of that bothers you, I think there are ways to minimize the damage/impact at least for the paint. I've made two round trips from VA to CA in the last couple of years. Consider loading some audiobooks or podcasts on your phone. Enjoy the trip. (most of the gas will be 91, but it didn't impact my fun.)

Not looking forward to the pain chips....but I already got some on those :(

 

[Crew4991]

Gosh you will be fine with fuel, just get premium. Denver isn't that high... in elevation that is!

Sounds like a lovely road trip. Hope you have a blast and take lots of photos.


My word of advice, the front range is pretty moderate but the actual mountains are unpredictable when it comes to weather. If the weather app says it is going to snow, get out before you get snowed in! Have good tires on your car and check your spare tire (if you have one) for correct tire pressure before you leave. Everything else, your car will be just fine.

Advice for you: drink plenty water and moderate alcohol consumption! Seriously! You get dehydrated faster here and if you aren't careful, you will have one mad hangover.

 

[Crew4991]

Oh, forgot to add - you also need to try eating our ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS!!!

 

[BEERCHAMP]

People in Denver are HIGH.
Vegas has 91 premium, the higher elevation states the Octane goes down.

 

[SheepDog]

When you are coming south from Yellowstone, stay on HWY 26 which becomes HWY 287. Then Head East for a short distance on I-80, then head south again on HWY 130 all the way to Encampment WY. From there take HWY 230 south into Colorado which becomes HWY 125. Take that south to Walden. Then take HWY 14 to Ft. Collins.

Unless of course you hate epic mountain roads and views and twisties.

 

[Seanuf99]

Oh, forgot to add - you also need to try eating our ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS!!!

You are a sick individual. I actually bought some raw ones out there and convinced my dads friend to fry em up and eat em. He did. No accounting for taste.

 

[Crew4991]

You are a sick individual. I actually bought some raw ones out there and convinced my dads friend to fry em up and eat em. He did. No accounting for taste.

Mmmm, bon appétit!

 

[ice445]

I lack a Turbo and the elevation hurts power, but otherwise the car will do just fine. Only 91 octane available in the entire region.

Add zion np to your list, its incredible.

 

[ajsfirehawk]

All good comments here: more water, less alcohol, more time at altitude helps. Critical to wear sunscreen, wear sunglasses. You have significantly less atmosphere here and cloudy days are few. Everyone burns more quickly at altitude.

 

[sirben711]

My word of advice, the front range is pretty moderate but the actual mountains are unpredictable when it comes to weather. If the weather app says it is going to snow, get out before you get snowed in! Have good tires on your car and check your spare tire (if you have one) for correct tire pressure before you leave. Everything else, your car will be just fine.

I actually bought a spare tire just for this trip! Cant be too prepared!

Oh, forgot to add - you also need to try eating our ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS!!!

Gross!



I am also brining a little cleaning kit to clean my car once or twice while I'm out there

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