Best route from Denver to Mesa Verde

Maddjoe wrote:
I will be traveling from MN to Mancos, CO (Mesa Verde). I am pulling a 26' fifth wheel with a diesel. Trying to figure out best route (easiest pulls) from Denver to Mesa Verde.
Thanks!

The Options are listed and Thom has explained all the possible shortfalls of the various roads.

BUT - you certainly did not come from Minnesota, to take a route that would not allow you to Enjoy the Drive, by that I mean, to be able to look out the window and be able to remember almost every mile.

So, I will give you a route, that while not, IMHO, difficult (26' and a Diesel) are more in tune with a Vacation Drive not a simple Route that just gets you from "A" to "B".

Bing Maps


Coming out of Denver, heading west on I-70, jump off on Exit 265 Rt 58 go straight it will turn into Rt 6 getting you right into the Mountains - Rt 6 through 6 tunnels and rejoining I-70 at Idaho Springs -Truly a Special/Beautiful Drive! Now on I-70 you will take that to Rt 91 (Yes you will have to go through the Eisenhower tunnel - that's why you got the Diesel right)- Exit 195 to Rt 91 - You will take Rt 91 to Leadville, Highest incorporated Town in America at 10,000' - Quincy's - Turquoise Lake - just a neat little town. From there heading South on Rt 24 through Buena Vista - K's - Collegiate Peaks - Arkansas River - Rafting - Dirt Roads - then When Rt 24 turns Left to the Springs you go on Rt 285 south to Poncha Springs there you will Take Rt 50 through Gunnison (option here to go to Crested Butte - Gunnison Lake - Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP - or even a side trip to Lake City. Now Rt 50 will take you west to Montrose where you will take Rt 550 to Ridgway - Big Choice here! - I suggest you spend the night and go to Ouray, the Alps of Colorado, then back and over to Telluride - Trout Lake - possibly Dunton - Rico and on to Cortez and Mesa Verde.

OK if you find this the sort of info you wanted, we can give you a route back, through Denver that is just as fun and only requires a little back tracking.

As you can see there are many different ways to "Get To" Mesa Verde - but IMHO the "drive" needs to be as good as the "destination".

Hope this give you something to think about other than Just "A" to "B".

Best of Luck, and let us know what you decide and how you enjoyed Colorado.