z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
1/12/18 11:07 a.m.

I'm trying to make it to Indianapolis from OKC leaving around midnight to go trade-in my car. 

But as you may know some wintry stuff is moving through Indiana right now and I don't know what the roads look like between St. Louis and Indianapolis at the moment. 

Obviously I don't want to put either car in the ditch, get stuck, or have to turn around (it's 747 miles from my driveway to the dealership).

 

Suggestions on places to look other than just weather.com? I'm impatient, I don't want to wait until next weekend to go get the car.

boaty mcfailface
boaty mcfailface UberDork
1/12/18 11:09 a.m.

Google maps has options to at least turn on traffic conditions.  Wont show you weather but may indicate areas of slowdowns that may be caused by weather. 

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner MegaDork
1/12/18 11:13 a.m.

Both Colorado and Utah DOTs have really good websites that show traffic cams, weather, weather forecasts, construction and traffic.

Looks like INDOT does as well. There are a couple of doohickeys that will help you there.

https://www.in.gov/indot/2410.htm

02Pilot
02Pilot Dork
1/12/18 11:23 a.m.

Traffic cameras are the best option, but tedious to check, especially while you're on the road. Waze plus Google Maps are useful within their limitations.

Related, do you know what kind of tires are on the new car (this is the 135i, yes?)? I would not want to drive on frozen and slick roads with summer performance tires.

mtn
mtn MegaDork
1/12/18 11:35 a.m.

Between St. Louis and Indiana, use https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/WinterConditions/index.html. It isn't perfect, but it is pretty good.

 

EDIT: Click on the road (I-70) itself. It gives you the conditions as in "Partially snow covered". Pretty big swaths, probably 50 miles or more, but better than nothing.

Tactical Penguin
Tactical Penguin Dork
1/12/18 11:42 a.m.

Weather looks far more favorable for next weekend according to the long range forecast in Indy, I'd just wait.

 

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
1/12/18 12:15 p.m.
02Pilot said:

Traffic cameras are the best option, but tedious to check, especially while you're on the road. Waze plus Google Maps are useful within their limitations.

Related, do you know what kind of tires are on the new car (this is the 135i, yes?)? I would not want to drive on frozen and slick roads with summer performance tires.

Correct, from the pics it appears to have Michelin Pilot Sports (can't tell if they are super sports)

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
1/12/18 12:22 p.m.
Tactical Penguin said:

Weather looks far more favorable for next weekend according to the long range forecast in Indy, I'd just wait.

 

Yeah, I'm just impatient. 

 

Oh and thanks for all the info and links everyone!

Ian F
Ian F MegaDork
1/12/18 12:34 p.m.

I've found Google Maps on my phone to be frighteningly accurate when it comes to travel times and ETA's, but when driving over 700 miles a lot can happen between departure and arrival.  I have had Google unexpectedly route me around traffic jams without me asking to, often saving me quite a bit of time or at least time spent sitting on the highway not moving.

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
1/12/18 12:40 p.m.

^Yeah and that's the thing, I don't want to hit say, St. Louis and go "Crap, not gonna be able to get through." Which everything looks good until about Effingham, IL...........then it gets sketchy.

Ian F
Ian F MegaDork
1/12/18 12:45 p.m.

That's why when I drive long distances I run Google Maps, even if I don't actually need the directions - for the traffic updates.  I'll be driving along and cruising fine and then see my ETA start to creep out.  I can zoom out and pan to see where the problem is and if alternative options are available.  Maps will show your current route and usually show alternative routes with estimated time differences.

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
1/12/18 12:50 p.m.

I'm wondering if I can trust these traffic cameras in Indiana....near Terre Haute is showing snow on the ground but not roadway, and closer to town nothing. And Ben just sent me a pic showing me his  neighborhood plenty of snow on the ground and road.

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