Cortez to Grand Junction, Colorado

Use 145 over Lizard Head and stop at Rico for lunch! Nice people run the café (or used to).

P.S. As you drive through there imagine building a railroad there in the dead of winter. You will be on the right-of-way of the old Rio Grande Southern narrow gauge, which served the mining camps in the early 1900's. Have fun!

This is really helpful and can't wait to make the drive up to Ridgway State Park. The mountains must be awesome in May. Have enjoyed watching the Youtube videos as Dadio 24 suggested. Thanks to all.

Hwy 145 from Cortez to Telluride over Lizard Head Pass is one of the easier mountain roads in the state. After Lizard Head, the rest of the route to Junction is a piece of cake.

Montrose to GJ is no issue at all. Do not do the 550 - aka Red Mountain pass or Million Dollar Hwy - not only the road itself but the crazy people who think they can do it and take their half out of the middle. I don't like 4-500 feet straight down with not shoulder or guard rail and someone coming down the middle of a two lane road at me. Do the "go around" which is Lizard Head Pass. And it is beautiful.

Drove from Cortez on 145 to 62 to Ridgeway, and didn’t drive 550 North to GJ. The drive is nice, seems always uphill and get skinny and curvy after the Telluride to 62. It is very much downhill after Dallas Divide. As always, stay slow and safe when unsure of the issues ahead. You can see videos of the drive on YouTube (Colorado Hwy 145).

Another option is 491 to 141 to 145 to 62 to 550. I took this route last year when bad weather was forecast in the mountains. Was a pleasant drive with a couple short steep hills.

145 is less stressful than 550.

It is a breeze compared to 550 from Durango to Ridgway where you will access 550. A freak snowstorm is possible but not likely.

550 from Ridgway to Montrose is no problem. The high mountain part is
between Ouray and Durango. You shouldn't have any problems with that stretch. I can't speak to 50 from Montrose to GJ. 145 is going to be more challenging than that, imo, but still ok.

exportman wrote:
I am hoping to drive from Cortez, CO to Grand Junction and would like to take hwy 145 to Telluride before getting over to US550. The time of year will be mid to late May. Is the road open at that time of year and is it recommended for a MH pulling a toad? Looks like it's a high elevation road. Thanks.

Drove it from 1964 with my little Biuck special. Later with a 36ft. goose neck, just don't look out the windows.