Forum Discussion

4advtr's avatar
4advtr
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014

Durango, CO to Grand Junction, CO without using Hwy 550?

Wondering if anyone has driven the route from Durango, CO to Grand Junction, CO? I know from experience to avoid Highway 550, AKA the Million Dollar Highway. Not sure if it even has the clearance and I don't have the balls to drive it with this rig anyway. That dropoff outside of Ouray is by far the scariest thing I've ever seen with a paved road. Keep in mind I've four wheeled some of Colorado's scariest shelf roads. Big difference in driving 2 MPH 12" from a 500' dropoff and driving it at 35-50 MPH with a Redwood in tow!

Thinking I'll have to loop around through Cortez and up 141 through Gateway to get to Grand Junction. Pluses are I've never been to Cortez and in Gateway there's a killer secret Auto Museum owned by the owner or founder of the Discovery Channel.

Thoughts and advice?
Roads and Routes
  • 4advtr's avatar
    4advtr
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2014
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    YEP.........if not up to driving 550
    Then 160 over to Cortez
    491 to Monticello
    191 to I-70 (W)

    If you don't like 550 taking 141 isn't better


    In what way is 141 not better? Is it just the grade or is it a shelf road highway (2 lane) with no guard rails where you drop to your death on blind corners... BTW, read sarcasm into that last sentence. I've driven 550 in a car, it was kind of spooky. Especially watching the semi's negotiate it.
  • Helimech's avatar
    Helimech
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2014
    How about 145 from Cortez to Grand Junction?

    I'm thinking of taking that route soon, Heard it's better than 550
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 07, 2014
    YEP.........if not up to driving 550
    Then 160 over to Cortez
    491 to Monticello
    191 to I-70 (W)

    If you don't like 550 taking 141 isn't better

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