Do I need snow chains to travel in Denver metro area?
I am moving from Denver from El Paso, TX. Obviously, I have little experience with icy / snowy conditions. Is it possible that I will need chains just for driving on the interstates in CO and the Denver area this January? Thanks.
Denver - 8 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
Chains are sometimes needed when driving up into the mountains, but are never used in the city or on the highways in and near the city. If conditions are THAT bad, you should not be out in it. The great majority of people in the Denver area never have the experience of driving with chains. I lived in Colorado Springs for over 25 years and never needed chains.
Answer 2 :
No. But 4 REAL snow tires will make your life here MUCH easier. Real snow tires are marked with a snowflake and a mountain on the sidewall. The originals were Bridgestone Blizzaks, now there are several. Tires labeled "M+S" don't even come close. Much less "all-season". The snowflake and the mountain tires have specific and tough standards. They're the real deal. I, and many other people here, have a set mounted on cheap wheels, so that I can switch over myself. Get 4, not 2. The difference between that setup and "all-season" tires is simply astounding. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=64
Answer 3 :
You won't need chains in the Denver metro area. It would be a better idea to get a vehicle with 4 wheel drive or All-wheel drive. It will be helpful to be able to experience the beauty of our state year-round. If you can't get new wheels, get snow tires if you are not used to snow driving.
Answer 4 :
Denver roads are dry 85 % of the time. A good set of all season tires on a front wheel drive car will get you through the winter. The roars are clear within a day or two.If you will be driving to the mountains for sking , than a 4 wheel drive with snow tire will be a very good idea. A rear wheel drive vehicle studded tires would be helpful.
Answer 5 :
No, lol you are only required to use chains when driving into the mountains and the roads are bad. The roads in Denver usualy remain dry as we have traffic here no stop, east coast like (just one of the few down sides to the city) which keeps the snow melted. Plus its Colorado, it will snow at 8 am then by noon it will be melted.
Answer 6 :
no, unless you are driving a comercial vehicle. my gandma is from belton, TX, and shes scared to drive on the roads too, but it is completely safe. in TX, the water freezes on the road, creating black ice, however black ice is virtually no-exhistent in CO, because the snow stays frozen. this is called snow pack, which is also safe, its just like driving on white roads, dont be intimidated! and sometimes, you are safer driving 50 MPH than 15 MPH, when you are goin soooooooo slow on snow, it creates more of a hazzard, for you and others good luck with the move, and enjoy DENVER!
Answer 7 :
Never. I moved here from Tampa, Fl and have never used chains. It doesn't snow enough in the metro area for chains, although I've seen people using them. I guess it depends on the type of vehicle you drive. I would recommend an AWD vehicle or a 4x4 truck. Usually the main arteries are perfectly drivable in snowy weather but remember to drive slower than normal.
Answer 8 :
uhhhhh no..... Denver isn't like some kind of country town or wilderness outpost. Its is a buzzing metropolitan city with state of the art amenities and of course snow ploughs to plough the roads at a regular basis.
I am moving from Denver from El Paso, TX. Obviously, I have little experience with icy / snowy conditions. Is it possible that I will need chains just for driving on the interstates in CO and the Denver area this January? Thanks.
Denver - 8 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
Chains are sometimes needed when driving up into the mountains, but are never used in the city or on the highways in and near the city. If conditions are THAT bad, you should not be out in it. The great majority of people in the Denver area never have the experience of driving with chains. I lived in Colorado Springs for over 25 years and never needed chains.
Answer 2 :
No. But 4 REAL snow tires will make your life here MUCH easier. Real snow tires are marked with a snowflake and a mountain on the sidewall. The originals were Bridgestone Blizzaks, now there are several. Tires labeled "M+S" don't even come close. Much less "all-season". The snowflake and the mountain tires have specific and tough standards. They're the real deal. I, and many other people here, have a set mounted on cheap wheels, so that I can switch over myself. Get 4, not 2. The difference between that setup and "all-season" tires is simply astounding. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=64
Answer 3 :
You won't need chains in the Denver metro area. It would be a better idea to get a vehicle with 4 wheel drive or All-wheel drive. It will be helpful to be able to experience the beauty of our state year-round. If you can't get new wheels, get snow tires if you are not used to snow driving.
Answer 4 :
Denver roads are dry 85 % of the time. A good set of all season tires on a front wheel drive car will get you through the winter. The roars are clear within a day or two.If you will be driving to the mountains for sking , than a 4 wheel drive with snow tire will be a very good idea. A rear wheel drive vehicle studded tires would be helpful.
Answer 5 :
No, lol you are only required to use chains when driving into the mountains and the roads are bad. The roads in Denver usualy remain dry as we have traffic here no stop, east coast like (just one of the few down sides to the city) which keeps the snow melted. Plus its Colorado, it will snow at 8 am then by noon it will be melted.
Answer 6 :
no, unless you are driving a comercial vehicle. my gandma is from belton, TX, and shes scared to drive on the roads too, but it is completely safe. in TX, the water freezes on the road, creating black ice, however black ice is virtually no-exhistent in CO, because the snow stays frozen. this is called snow pack, which is also safe, its just like driving on white roads, dont be intimidated! and sometimes, you are safer driving 50 MPH than 15 MPH, when you are goin soooooooo slow on snow, it creates more of a hazzard, for you and others good luck with the move, and enjoy DENVER!
Answer 7 :
Never. I moved here from Tampa, Fl and have never used chains. It doesn't snow enough in the metro area for chains, although I've seen people using them. I guess it depends on the type of vehicle you drive. I would recommend an AWD vehicle or a 4x4 truck. Usually the main arteries are perfectly drivable in snowy weather but remember to drive slower than normal.
Answer 8 :
uhhhhh no..... Denver isn't like some kind of country town or wilderness outpost. Its is a buzzing metropolitan city with state of the art amenities and of course snow ploughs to plough the roads at a regular basis.
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