Gunnison Colorado to Durango Colorado

Straycat2161 wrote:
Looking for an alternate route other than 550 (million dollar highway) to get from Gunnison to Durango. Appreciate any suggestions.

US 50 west to Montrose, then US 550 south to Ridgway. CO 62 west over the Dallas Divide (~9000 feet) to the junction with CO 145 at Placerville. CO 145 south over Lizard Head Pass (~10200) and on down to Cortez, where you can pick up US 160 east to Durango. Not a bad drive, you don't have any major challenges as far as passes.

If you're comfortable with mountain driving, you could take US 50 east to Poncha Springs (outside Salida) and then go south on US 285 over Poncha Pass (~9000 feet) into the San Luis Valley and stay on US 285 to Monte Vista, where you can pick up US 160 to Durango via Wolf Creek Pass (~10900 feet) and Pagosa Springs. With improvements that have been made to Wolf Creek over the years, it's not nearly as bad as it's been in the past and as folk lore would have it.

I gave my answer on the other forum you posted. :)

Basically, as above, 550 to 145 to Cortez then east on 160 to Durango

If you take 149 south to Pagosa Springs you'll have two big passes - Slumguillion and Wolf Creek.

145 is a lot easier.

Montrose south on 550 is, by far the shortest route. There are only 2 places on it, between Ouray & Silver city that are a bit scary because u'r on the outside lane with no guard rail for about a mile. The rest is really beautiful drive. 149 up to Lake city is a VERY steep, hard climb. U'd want to unhook the TOAD & drive it separately. The easiest is, as stated, Ridgeway 62/145 to Delores. If u go this way there a kinda simple pass to go over, Lizard Head. There is a beautiful Nat'l Forest CG called Cayton. Some sites have ELECTRIC!:)

FWIW, the Million Dollar Highway scares some people, but for others it's a great experience. That highway is driven daily by various tractor trailer operators including UPS.

I can think of several roads that are much worse. Just take your time and enjoy the "Million Dollar" views.

BTW, speaking of "tractor trailers", some of the curves between Silverton & Ouray are tight. Some long 18 wheelers drag their trailer across the yellow line cutting off the other lane. Be ready to stop for them coming the other way.:E

We have taken 149 south through Lake City to South Fork then west to Durango.

Not bad at all.

Let me share one other good possibility which is the one I usually take: Go east from Gunnison on US 50 about 8 miles to pick up CO 114 (turn right to the south) nice drive over the pass to Saguache where you join US 285 S. Watch for CO 112 near Center (only a crossroads). Take it west to join US 160. This will take you over Wolf Creek Pass which I have never considered to be a problem--a major pass, but getting to be a better road all the time.