Easiest route from Aurora, CO to Grand Junction, CO

I-70 all the way

Passin Thru wrote:
You can also take I 25 S to Co Spg. then West on 24 through Woodland Park to 82 to I 70 and west. That would avoid steep grades except for the pull out of Co Spg to Woodland Park which is uphill and scenic also but lot's of out-of-the-way. For a flatlander it isn't all that bad a route as there are no steep overhangs on the right side and 24 is 4 lane the first 20 miles.

Well, 82 isn't for the faint of heart nor the large vehicle. Possibly the narrowest CO state highway in the state.

However, he does bring up a point. You could take US 285 out of Denver over Kenosha Pass down to US 24 in Buena Vista. North through Leadville and the easy approach to Tennessee Pass. Then down through Minturn and back to I-70 west of Vail Pass. Both passes would be easier pulls than those on I-70, but there are some switchbacks heading down off Tennessee Pass, just before the Homestake Reservoir turnoff, and again right before Minturn. These are 20 MPH and 25 MPH curves on 6% grades, so you decide if that's what you want to do or whether you'd prefer the longer, steeper pulls on I-70 without such sharp corners on the 7% downhill. As I noted, the I-70 route is packed with RV's on summer weekends, so it can't be too bad.

Don't know where in Aurora you are but 225 is the quickest way to I 70 from Aurora (our former home) and west to Grand Junction.
Certainly ignore the advice to go to Colo. Springs and west from there! No way do you want to try US 82 (as advised above)!

Passin Thru wrote:
You can also take I 25 S to Co Spg. then West on 24 through Woodland Park to 82 to I 70 and west. That would avoid steep grades except for the pull out of Co Spg to Woodland Park which is uphill and scenic also but lot's of out-of-the-way. For a flatlander it isn't all that bad a route as there are no steep overhangs on the right side and 24 is 4 lane the first 20 miles.

What? 82 is; NO WHERE near Woodland Park
and
Is between Leadville and Aspen - over Independence Pass - steep, narrow and high with rock overhangs and on the passenger side with steep drops - no guard rails on the drivers side and severe length restrictions for most RV's. Obviously you have never been on it or you would not recommend it!

You can also take I 25 S to Co Spg. then West on 24 through Woodland Park to 82 to I 70 and west. That would avoid steep grades except for the pull out of Co Spg to Woodland Park which is uphill and scenic also but lot's of out-of-the-way. For a flatlander it isn't all that bad a route as there are no steep overhangs on the right side and 24 is 4 lane the first 20 miles.

Like the others, I'd go with I-70. Ten's of thousands of RV's do this route every year, as do many, many semi's. You won't set speed records heading up hills, and remember to use your engine as a brake heading down hill. I-70 through CO is one of the most scenic stretches of interstate anywhere in the country.

If you REALLY want to avoid the high passes, you could take I-25 north to Ft. Collins, US 287 to Laramie, west to exit 187 and south on WY 789/CO 13 to I-70 and west to GJ. This is waaaay out of the way, and you'll be driving first through the traffic of Fort Collins and second, on state highways from I-80 down to Rifle. The state highways aren't bad and don't have steep grades, but some people don't like travelling on such remote roads. And there are a variety of grades on I-80 through WY, just not as high as those in CO.

As suggested I-70 is the easiest and really not bad -- It's an Interstate! -- So the grades are not bad and the road is safe -- just need to take your time and enjoy the drive.

Vail is nice and the Over Under drive along the Colorado River as you get to Glenwood Springs is one of the most beautiful Interstate drives in the Country.

BOL,

"Thank you for any suggestions you have"...if you don't already have one, my suggestion is to purchase the Mountain Directory West, which list all grades on major routes in the 11 western states. There is also an Eastern states version.

Regards
Gemstone

I-70 is really the only reasonable route. Just drive it at your own pace, and gear down on the downgrades.

Miles