Can someone advise best route to take.

I am recently widowed and will be Moving back to Cheyenne from central California the end of march.

I priced out costs for hiring a moving company and just couldn't do it. I will be driving a 26'moving U-Haul towing my car...and I have done this before ...just not with an 8 and 11 year old in the cab with me!

Now...my question for you, the experienced ones, is this : all mapping show that I should follow roads thru Vegas,Vegas, to salt lake city and then I-80 from Laramie into Cheyenne.

However, I have a sister in grand junction and would like to see her and I have no access to my house until 1st of April so can tale a few days to visit. Also have adequate days for truck unload and return to permit these days off.

My concern is whether in a fully-loaded truck that at best will give me 9mpg is it wiser for me to avoid the Rockies over I-70 and take the I-80 from route...all things considered to include the high price of fuel?

Many thanks to each of you for consideration to answer.....llee