Route from Cortez Colorado to Gunnison

I have taken 550 a couple of times and love it. The views are great. As long as I pull over when I get people behind me, I don't let them bother me. We all pay highway taxes. I have to pull over to enjoy the views anyway.
We usually stop for lunch in Silverton at one of the many restaurants.

Have gone from Cortez to Gunnison over Lizard Head a couple times. 40' fifth wheel with diesel pickup. No problem. On 145 in Delores there is a beautiful CG, Priest Gulch. Have a good trip. Betsy.

I towed my 40' toy hauler on the 550 and won't do it again as I held up traffic while negotiating the hairpin turns and uphill grades. On my Harley the 550 is a blast.

Unless you want to go out of your way that is one of only a couple of options and the other is 550 up from Durango/Silverton/Ouray/ Ridgeway/Montrose. Which is even prettier but depending on who you are you may feel it is not a safe road to travel on at least to read about from some on here (it is totally fine by the way). Otherwise go into Utah and head north, go east on 160 to South fork and head north on 149 to 50 or head east on 160 to Del Norte and hit 285 north to Saguache on 114 (which is probably the easiest ie flattest) but also farthest.