Kansas City to Canon City, Co to Salida, Co

I-70 to Limon, Co. Hwy 24 to Colorado Springs. I-25 to Pueblo, Co. Hwy 50 to Canon City and Salida.

This will be the fastest way with no "meaningful" grades, just a few up and downs here and there. Its not the shortest way, thought.

The shortest way will be to take 115 in Co. Springs which will bring you to Canon City bypassing Pueblo altogether. This route will be slower, though, due to the many twists and turns.

Also, the road from Canyon City to Salida is a slow drive as it follows the Arkansas River the entire way, yep, more twists and turns.

Mountain Directory West would be helpful to you as well, showing grades and passes that might be of special interest to RVers and truckers. You should be able to find one at truck stops or some of the larger/better-equipped RV supply stores. The routes along the river might be slower, but potentially prettier. :)

Some communities forbid the use of jake brakes. (Usually there are signs to this effect.)

Getting across Kansas depends on whether you want to interstate or you like driving US or state highways. If you don't opt for interstate all the way, you could go hwy. 50 all the way or you could take 56 to 96 to Pueblo. Both are good roads but you do go through towns along the way. Sometimes it is fun to get off the fast track and see America.

You're asking what it's like between Canon City and Salida......there's only one way you can go....Hwy 50. You will have no problem. It's an easy drive.

Where are you going for Salida?

Keep in mind when driving hills to gear down BEFORE you start downward - not mid-hill/mountain. Then you don't have to use your brakes as often. Don't leave your foot on the brake.

If your trip is happening in the next week be aware that there is a large fire occurring along US50 between Canon City and Salida, near Coaldale. So there is a lot of emergency equipment and personal moving in the area.
As far as needing a "Jake" brake, it would be an exhaust brake for your model Ford. It would be helpful but if you use lower gears and intermittent braking you should be fine. That stretch of US50 isn't too hard to drive, IMO.

Wow! Another fire...didn't know about this one - Hayden Pass Fire.

You might want to monitor this if traveling the area:

http://wildfiretoday.com/2016/07/11/hayden-pass-fire/

This is a good web site to monitor fires in every state:

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/6/#

Thanks for all the tips and the info. I feel better now that I've asked so we would know for sure. We've been there before but we were in a car with no thoughts of hills or grades. I didn't think there was any to worry about but just wanted to double check. Thanks again!

jrs1871 wrote:
Getting across Kansas depends on whether you want to interstate or you like driving US or state highways. If you don't opt for interstate all the way, you could go hwy. 50 all the way or you could take 56 to 96 to Pueblo. Both are good roads but you do go through towns along the way. Sometimes it is fun to get off the fast track and see America.

That's the route I use 56 to 96 in KS. The last few miles of 96 before Pueblo was kind of rough so I would cut back to 50 at Ordway. They might have repaired that stretch by now its been a few years since I traveled it.