Forum Discussion

smiledr's avatar
smiledr
Explorer
Aug 10, 2020

Million Dollar Highway 550 Co

Headed from Gunnison to Durango. Can I take my 25 foot MH over the Million Dollar Highway?
  • Sure. Should not be a problem. 2 years ago I pulled a 40 ft 5th wheel over it twice. It's a good road.
  • If you wish to miss a great drive and beautiful scenery, avoid it!
  • Be ready for steep climb southbound out Ouray. Take your time! Keep speed down and engine RPM down!
    Northbound watch your brakes!
    Lots of tight turns up top!
    Great views, well worth it!
  • yes, take your time and enjoy the ride, lots of pull out to enjoy the views. Plan some time in Silverton the museums great and there are camp grounds in the area. I could spend an entire day in town walking around. Not sure whats open with the "pandemic".
  • I just took my condo down that road last week. Easy peasy. Regarding Silverton, that place was a zoo. Last week every space was taken and the boondocking was crazy full. Seems there was a jamboree coming. We were there for a week of RZR riding in the mountains which was fantastic but the roads were full of off-roaders. We ate at Handlebars and some other restaurants, food was great. Complaint from the Managers is there are too many customers and not enuf staff. We didn't see any museums.
  • As long as you or your passengers don’t have a problem with narrow highway, steep drop offs, and no guard rails. :B
  • smiledr wrote:
    Headed from Gunnison to Durango. Can I take my 25 foot MH over the Million Dollar Highway?


    A suggestion. Check out Youtube and search "million dollar highway" for some perspective of what it's like. There's a variety of vids to watch, including a motorcycle perspective. Watch a good selection (probably don't need to watch any of the winter ones unless you WANT to ;-) )

    There's a lot of opinions about whether one should or can. Being an informed driver is essential. The driver will NOT get a chance to sightsee unless you pull off for views. There are areas with no guardrails and steep and deep drop offs. Winding/twisty road all the way to Red Mountain Pass. Yes, buses and trucks do it all the time. And they are also professional drivers. It's not so much YOU as it is OTHER drivers who may be in over their heads in driving it and constantly cross over into the oncoming lane. Because of the size of your vehicle, it should not be as bad as some other RV type vehicles going up and over.

    If you do take it, take your time, be safe and pull over for the views when you get a chance. Well worth it.
  • On some stretches, the toughest part is keeping one's eyes on the road when one would rather be gazing at the nice view! ;)
  • Make sure to pull into as many of the pull-offs as you have time for. The views are great.
    We have eaten at 5 or 6 restaurants in Silverton and always get great food. We like to watch the train come into Silverton so we get there before the train is scheduled to arrive. While the tourists on the train are there, the town resembles a circus. By getting there early in the morning, you will not have to compete for space at the shops and restaurants.
  • You have a pretty small rig compared so some I've seen on road. I've heard from several people that Silverton is a zoo. Surprising especially since the train isn't even running this year.

    Best views are from Ouray to Coal Bank Pass IMHO, so plan to spend as much time as possible along that stretch.

    Fill in Montrose. Gas prices go up with the elevation!