Driving Route 50

I've long fantacised about driving US-50 coast to coast. Was hoping that this thread was about doing just that. It is probably the closest that we can come to the real Route 66 experience, coast to coast with little to no limited access freways.

Thanks all for the great info.

We want to make some Colorad ressies in the next couple of days as it looks like we will be getting there sometime in July.

Want to be in NH by the middle of August.

tatest wrote:
At Monarch Pass, you need to work at keeping it a slow ride down, as it is easy on some of the straight sections to get up over the safe speeds for the curves.

With my C motorhome, 13,000 pounds and Ford V-10, I had no difficulty maintaining the (reduced) speed limit on the climb. I even had sufficient power reserve on the climb to accelerate back up to the car traffic speed after getting slowed down behind large trucks that were climbing at 15-30 mph.

US-50 is not like the Interstate. There is nobody climbing at 70-80 mph, everybody is down to 45-55, the curves demand that you don't get too far over the speed limit.

Thanks for the heads up.

By the way, you need to fill that map up a bit more and head up to VT, ME, and NH

At Monarch Pass, you need to work at keeping it a slow ride down, as it is easy on some of the straight sections to get up over the safe speeds for the curves.

With my C motorhome, 13,000 pounds and Ford V-10, I had no difficulty maintaining the (reduced) speed limit on the climb. I even had sufficient power reserve on the climb to accelerate back up to the car traffic speed after getting slowed down behind large trucks that were climbing at 15-30 mph.

US-50 is not like the Interstate. There is nobody climbing at 70-80 mph, everybody is down to 45-55, the curves demand that you don't get too far over the speed limit.

The James Robb campground at Fruita is very good. Excellent facilities - we were there in September. You are close to the town and services, but have views of the must-see Colorado National Monument. Spectacular red rock scenery up there - don't miss it. We enjoyed several days there and visited a few of the wonderful wineries. It's like Napa Valley was in the 1970s - very welcoming at the vineyards for tastings.

We liked the campground at Black Canyon NP.

Agree about Ouray - great little town, 4J campground by the river within walking distance of town.

I note your decision not to tow on US 550 and expect it is a wise one. However, one can head south at Montrose for a visit to Ouray without any difficulty whatsoever. Of course, that means heading right back out north to Montrose to pick up US 50. The difficult portion of US 550 is on south of Ouray toward Silverton and Durango.

I have no idea whether this would fit into your plans at all, but it is just an additional bit of information.

Ouray is one of our favorite towns to visit in Colorado. Several good RV parks including a state park conveniently located.

2. State Parks around Gunnison for 5 days

3 State Parks round Pueblo for 5 days.

Also I would appreciate any advice about towing across Route 50 and just how tricky it might be to get up and over Monarch Pass.

As already reported there are no state parks around Gunnison. We stay regularly in Gunnison at the Tall Texan RV Park which is on the road out toward Crested Butte. We much prefer that to the area around Blue Mesa Lake, but that is our personal preferance. There are some really nice National Forest campgrounds around Almont, between Gunnison and Crested Butte.

Just another personal opinion: I would bypass Pueblo altogether. But you may have personal reason to stay there.

I'd take CO 115 near Canyon City and head on up to Colorado Springs. One of the nicest state parks anywhere in the country is Cheyenne Mountain. Of course, reservations must be made long in advance to get a site there.

As for Monarch, we've been over it so many times we feel entirely secure about it. As has already been reported there are many places where it is two-lane uphill so you can just drive you own pace and let others pass. Down hill--just keep it in a low gear and keep it slow; don't worry about the traffic.

The Salida/Buena Vista area is a really nice area and there are many good RV parks around Buena Vista. Unless you really have a reason to stay in Pueblo you might stop over at Buena Vista before going on up to Colorado Springs.

Can't help with the Grand Junction area as we haven't stayed there in years.
In the Gunnison area Blue Mesa Reservoir is surrounded by the Curecanti National Recreation Area which has some nice campgrounds close to the lake and others close by. There is not a state park near Gunnison.
Near Pueblo is Lake Pueblo State Park. It is an older park and is showing some wear. But we stay there 2-3 times a year while visiting family. Sites are electric only but water spigots are close to sites and there are dump stations.

As for your route you will not travel US550 at all so that isn't an issue. Monarch pass is not bad to travel over. It is two lanes going up so you can set your pace and others can pass. There are pull-outs in case you want to stop and see the views. There are a couple of smaller pulls between Montrose and Gunnison around the Blue Mesa area but they are not as long as Monarch Pass.
I travel that way each September with a double tow without issues.

Now, you did not say when you will be traveling here but if it is summer be aware that campgrounds in state parks and federal areas can fill up on weekends and holidays.
And if it is spring then snow can be an issue when traveling.

We have been over Monarch Pass, going both directions, several times in our motorhome, a 34'fifth wheel, a travel trailer, and tent trailers. No problems at all.