Best route to Loveland,Co

Busskipper wrote:

Red Eagle wrote:
Will be camping in Buena Vista, Co in early August, then heading up to Loveland, Co. Hwy 285 towards Denver seems to be more direct than hwy 24 to Colorado Springs & I-25. Have traveled hwy 24 years ago without pulling an RV. Will be pulling 31' 5er w/2015 GMC 2500 4X4 gasser(4.10 axle). Is hwy 285 my best route?

I will likely catch some flack here but for me that is a terrible drive.

Are you comfortable in these mountains?

If so think about this - I mean you have driven from Alabama and now you want to get off some of the most beautiful drives in Colorado and get into city traffic, sorry not for me.

My inclination would be to head North on 24 to Leadville (Quincy's is great fo dinner and I love Leadville) and then 91 to I-70 taking that to Exit 244 Rt 6 to Rt 119 Peak to Peak hwy taking you by Blackhawk/Central City on the way (Golden Gate State Park) to Nederland and Lyons. When you get to Lyons (city CG with 4-6 spots in town) you could spend the night and/or run up to Estes. Then take Rt66 to Rt287 to Loveland.

This will keep you out of TRAFFIC and in the mountains you drove so far to see.

IMHO Rt 285 is just plain BORING and I hate to drive in the city.

Just a thought/option.

BOL,

No flack here! That's actually a good alternative, for folks who don't mind driving in the mountains.

Just a point of clarification (for OP if they are looking for signs!) -- CO 119 goes from Central City/Blackhawk to Nederland, where it heads east to Boulder. In Nederland, one gets on CO 72 for the Peak-to-Peak Highway, and take it to where it intersects with CO7, going down the South St. Vrain Canyon in to Lyons.