I grew up in Colorado so chaining up is a foreign concept to me, but @ 80 mph avg the trip would be 2 hours and 45 minutes and @ 60 mph avg it would be about 3 hours and 40 minutes. So is an extra hour worth not having to stop and install chains?
I drive my rig from WA to Moab and the Rubicon around 65 mph so it can be done. If you were going farther then it might be worth the trade, but over an hour?
Me personally, it takes a grand total of 5-10 minutes to chain up. I've never found chaining up to be the big ordeal some want to make it out to be. Know how to do it, keep in mind you may have to and be prepared for it clothing wise. I am well aware that driving somewhere long distance at 65 can be done, its simply a matter of whether it is worth it. Personally, I'd rather ride in the altima or similar vehicle for 3 hours than my toyota. Of course, thats my personal experience with my truck. It isn't exactly built for comfort, the seats are the originals, old and broken down, lots of wind noise, the vehicle itself is loud, etc. Not to say I haven't done it, nor will I never do it again.
I can say I drove the pass 2x on saturday, and neither time was it horrible, going down or coming back up. The first time it was fairly clear, toward the evening we had a nice snowstorm going on, but I certainly didn't have any problems and neither did any of the cars I was around.
