We Have got the first part of the route planned from Vancouver BC to Bismarck N Dakota.Being very nervous of mountain driving (and I'm the passenger!!) I need the best route suggestions to go from Spearfish to Hill City, Custer, Cheyenne, Manitou Springs, Pagosa Springs, Cortez,Yellowstone, Spokane. Originally I thought the #85,#25, E470 around Denver, then #25 to #160 & #491, #191 to Arches National Park. The #15 to a base camp somewhere close to the West Yellowstone Entrance. Next the #15 to the #90 to Spokane & home.We have all our "must sees" by car but this is the motorhome route.I will gladly pass on Pagosa Springs BUT NOT Mesa Verde and I don't mind doubling back if it makes for a less strenuous drive. I've watched some U Tube videos and now am even more confused.Help please We leave May 24.

Tigre10 wrote:We Have got the first part of the route planned from Vancouver BC to Bismarck N Dakota.Being very nervous of mountain driving (and I'm the passenger!!) I need the best route suggestions to go from Spearfish to Hill City, Custer, Cheyenne, Manitou Springs, Pagosa Springs, Cortez,Yellowstone, Spokane. Originally I thought the #85,#25, E470 around Denver, then #25 to #160 & #491, #191 to Arches National Park. The #15 to a base camp somewhere close to the West Yellowstone Entrance. Next the #15 to the #90 to Spokane & home.We have all our "must sees" by car but this is the motorhome route.I will gladly pass on Pagosa Springs BUT NOT Mesa Verde and I don't mind doubling back if it makes for a less strenuous drive. I've watched some U Tube videos and now am even more confused.Help please We leave May 24.Simple first question why are we not going to Yellowstone while you are so close? Even if you are going to come back through, think about at least driving through the park to just get acquainted.Here's a link to an earlier post about Colorado.If you have made it this far we can get you -where you want to go.I'm confused as to where you are trying to go/see.Give us a little more info and we will fill in the blanks,Thanks,

Get Mountain Directory West to get a heads up on the steep/curvy highways.

I can only help with US 160 across southern CO. You might take US 50 at Pueblo to US 285 south at Poncha Springs, then follow that to US 160 at Monte Vista (or Alamosa depending on next paragraph). That will avoid La Veta Pass, 9,400', west of Walsenburg, not a particularly difficult pass but a little steep going up the east side. Not bad going down the west side. A little farther that route, But one pass that can be avoided by going US 50 if you wanted.Then a decision on whether to cross Wolf Creek pass between South Fork and Pagosa Springs. Wolf Creek pass is quite high at nearly 11,000', not so bad going up the east side, but long and steep going down the west side. A very good road though, 4 lanes (2 up/2down) almost all the way so you can go as slow as you want without holding up traffic, and a beautiful drive. RVs and semis of all sizes run that route all day long with no problem. Slow and careful. Stay off the brakes and let the engine and exhaust brake do most of the work.If you are really adverse to the high pass, you can continue south on US 285 at Alamosa to US 64 in New Mexico, west to US 84 and north until you hit US 160 at Pagosa Springs. But that would be around 80-90 miles out of the way. Nothing of any consequence between Pagosa Springs and Mesa Verde.But to get to Mesa Verde you almost must take US 160 across at some point.

Tigre10 wrote: from Spearfish to Hill City, Custer, Cheyenne, Manitou Springs, Pagosa Springs, Cortez,Yellowstone, Spokane. Originally I thought the #85,#25, E470 around Denver, then #25 to #160 & #491, #191 to Arches National Park. The #15 to a base camp somewhere close to the West Yellowstone Entrance. Next the #15 to the #90 to Spokane & home.From Cheyenne I'd pick early Sunday morning and just drive through Denver on I-25. The rest of your route is just fine. You will have Wolf Creek Pass just before Pagosa Springs, CO but put it is low gear at the beginning, get in the right lane and just go slow down. It's a wide highway and many RVers and semi trucks drive it.By the time you get to this point, you'll be experts on these types of western highways!At Pagosa, relax in the wonderful hot springs overlooking the river. They are immaculate concrete and are varying temperatures. We usually spend a whole morning and bring a small cooler with snacks and drinks although the sell those types of items, also.You might want to stay in Durango and take the train up to Silverton. Arrange for the bus back rather the train as it makes for a more comfortable return.From Cortez (Mesa Verde) 491 to 191 to Moab (Arches) is an easy drive.Enjoy! It's a favorite part of the country for us.

Regarding taking E-470 (a very expensive toll road) around Denver, you may want to reconsider based on this previous information I've posted elsewhere: From a previous post:$2.75 is the toll at each of the automated toll plazas...IF you have Express Pass. It's $3.45 if you don't have Express Pass, and you'll get a license plate toll bill in the mail. That's for 2 axles. Add the same price if you're towing, per axle...$8.25 for a 2 axle trailer plus tow vehicle, $11 for a 3 axle trailer and tow vehicle. And that's the Express Pass cost. $10.35 for 2 axle and tow vehicle/$13.80 for 3 axle and tow vehicle. And that's PER TOLL STATION! There's a total of 5 toll stations on the 47 mile length. 3 of them are north of I-70, around to I-25, and 2 of them are south of I-70 around to I-25. It's $51.75 if you have a 2 axle trailer and $69 if you have a 3 axle trailer,and go the entire length...47 miles...around Denver. With your MH and toad, you're looking at US$51.75 as your toll surprise when you get back home. Take I-25 straight through, save the toll.

Dakota's to South Colorado North to Yellowstone

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 09, 2016
Thanks for returning and giving us an update. . . wish more folks would do so. :)
Busskipper
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
Tigre10 wrote:
We Are Back!! What a great trip it was. Thanks to everyone for all the ideas & suggestions. Our MH did great on all the passes and we are becoming seasoned (:

Checking the weather, the route, the campgrounds, grocery stores etc. The packing up & the setting up are getting proficient.

We only had 2 issues in our 2 months. One was our on demand water heater didn't like demands. A great service guy for a reasonable price fixed that. He also gave us the fix tip should it happen again.

The other issue was the slide wouldn't come in while at at Terry's Bison Ranch Campground (they were most helpful)& after a disastrous result at a RV Service place called Premier in Falcon Colorado we decided to wait until we got home to repair it. So 1/2 our trip was sans slide but we managed just fine.

Again thanks for the help, suggestions & reassurance. We had an awesome time.

Always great to get an Up Date,

Thanks,
Tigre10
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016
We Are Back!! What a great trip it was. Thanks to everyone for all the ideas & suggestions. Our MH did great on all the passes and we are becoming seasoned (:

Checking the weather, the route, the campgrounds, grocery stores etc. The packing up & the setting up are getting proficient.

We only had 2 issues in our 2 months. One was our on demand water heater didn't like demands. A great service guy for a reasonable price fixed that. He also gave us the fix tip should it happen again.

The other issue was the slide wouldn't come in while at at Terry's Bison Ranch Campground (they were most helpful)& after a disastrous result at a RV Service place called Premier in Falcon Colorado we decided to wait until we got home to repair it. So 1/2 our trip was sans slide but we managed just fine.

Again thanks for the help, suggestions & reassurance. We had an awesome time.
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Apr 27, 2016
Hate to be the one to rain on a parade but if you plan to go West of I25 in Colorado you will be driving in the mountains. Do not be nervous just use your transmission to keep your speed down. Stab you brakes if your speed has climbed 5 MPH over your target speed. If you have to stab brake more than once every couple of minutes gear down. Pay attention and you will soon know which gear you should be in for the particular grade and speed you are facing.
If the yellow sign states 40 MPH curve it means it not 45
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 27, 2016
I don't know where you're finding that 491 to 191 to Arches will have a 11% grade. It's a nice easy drive for a RV.
Tigre10
Explorer
Apr 26, 2016
Hoping for help me with last part of our route.

We have decided to take the 25 from Manitou Springs to the 160 to Pagosa Springs and on to Mesa Verde. Figure no issues here even with the 2 passes after RVNet & Mountain Directory help.

But reading further on, the Mountain Directory regarding the 191 and I am wondering if the rest of the route is going to work or is there something better.

We thought the 491 to 191 to Arches Park followed by the 6 & 15 to Salt Lake City. From there the 15 to Idaho Falls and 20 to Yellowstone.

After visiting Yellowstone I thought the 191 to 287 to the 90 & home.
The 191(11% grade the directory says or did I misread?) & 287 are my concerns.
Suggestions would be appreciated.
Busskipper
Explorer
Apr 23, 2016
Tigre10 wrote:
Thank you for the information on the tolls, (I figured $16 not $60) the directory & the alternate routes. Got the e book Mountain West.

The wolf pass going west downhill looks a bit... It's the going downhill in a gas motorhome that causes the white knuckles. DP's have more control with that I think.

Down Shift and don't be averse to pulling out to stop and catch your breath. Some great views - maybe pull into the Ski resort and just rest a bit (lunch) in the parking lot. My Brother just did Wolf Creek Pass in the snow storm, last week (He's from West Virginia and has a CDL) he was impressed with the length of the west side coming up, so just take your time, pull off when you need to and you will enjoy the views and the mountains on the other side.

It's not a race so "take your time."

Busskipper,
Tigre10
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
Thank you for the information on the tolls, (I figured $16 not $60) the directory & the alternate routes. Got the e book Mountain West.

The wolf pass going west downhill looks a bit... It's the going downhill in a gas motorhome that causes the white knuckles. DP's have more control with that I think.
Busskipper
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
Thom02099 wrote:
Regarding taking E-470 (a very expensive toll road) around Denver, you may want to reconsider based on this previous information I've posted elsewhere:

From a previous post:

$2.75 is the toll at each of the automated toll plazas...IF you have Express Pass. It's $3.45 if you don't have Express Pass, and you'll get a license plate toll bill in the mail. That's for 2 axles. Add the same price if you're towing, per axle...$8.25 for a 2 axle trailer plus tow vehicle, $11 for a 3 axle trailer and tow vehicle. And that's the Express Pass cost. $10.35 for 2 axle and tow vehicle/$13.80 for 3 axle and tow vehicle. And that's PER TOLL STATION! There's a total of 5 toll stations on the 47 mile length. 3 of them are north of I-70, around to I-25, and 2 of them are south of I-70 around to I-25. It's $51.75 if you have a 2 axle trailer and $69 if you have a 3 axle trailer,and go the entire length...47 miles...around Denver.

With your MH and toad, you're looking at US$51.75 as your toll surprise when you get back home. Take I-25 straight through, save the toll.

Thom is right DON't Take the TOLL ROAD - I-25 is easy just take your time.
Thom02099
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2016
Regarding taking E-470 (a very expensive toll road) around Denver, you may want to reconsider based on this previous information I've posted elsewhere:

From a previous post:

$2.75 is the toll at each of the automated toll plazas...IF you have Express Pass. It's $3.45 if you don't have Express Pass, and you'll get a license plate toll bill in the mail. That's for 2 axles. Add the same price if you're towing, per axle...$8.25 for a 2 axle trailer plus tow vehicle, $11 for a 3 axle trailer and tow vehicle. And that's the Express Pass cost. $10.35 for 2 axle and tow vehicle/$13.80 for 3 axle and tow vehicle. And that's PER TOLL STATION! There's a total of 5 toll stations on the 47 mile length. 3 of them are north of I-70, around to I-25, and 2 of them are south of I-70 around to I-25. It's $51.75 if you have a 2 axle trailer and $69 if you have a 3 axle trailer,and go the entire length...47 miles...around Denver.

With your MH and toad, you're looking at US$51.75 as your toll surprise when you get back home. Take I-25 straight through, save the toll.

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