Durango to Montrose

Scott..maybe I was reading too much in the OPs opening (and only) posting. He indicated he was concerned with, quote "Any steep climbs or descents there? close quote. That indicated, to me anyway, some inexperience or concerns with both and 550 meets those standards in spades...you are correct though, we should probably limit advice to the question posed.

To the OP.. "Any steep climbs or descents there?" Answer: Steep Climbs: Yes, 25 miles mostly straight UP, with many switch backs and speeding cars. Descents: Very steep descent if you mess up on one of the switch backs because there are no guard rails......Dennis

I love the drive on 550 and if they are north bound the "no guard rail" is less of a factor. However, many folks think the passes over the Blue Ridges in NC and Va are scary. So anybody who is bothered by sheer drop offs, tight turns and steep grades should do 550 in their toad. The average flat lander would suffer severe white knuckle sydrome. Experienced mountain drivers would let the tranny do the hard work and try not to be distracted by the grand scenery. I sometimes wish I had a third eye on one side of my head so the other two could focus on the road. Going to the Sun, coastal Big Sur and 550 are all in that category as top road trips.

My opinion on 550.... heading north to Ouray is one thing. You're on the inside of the road with the OMG dropoff on the other side. Not so bad because you're not on "the edge". Going the other way (Ouray to Silverton) isn't something my wife could stand, sitting on that side of the coach and looking over the edge would be more than she could handle. We've driven our car and our motorcycle over that route several times and it's a spectacular and enjoyable ride but if we do it heading south with the RV she is going to follow in the car

Busskipper wrote:

Maw, Jim & Jake wrote:
Any info on the best route from Durango to Montrose driving our class A gas powered Grand Star MOHO pulling our 4000 pound toad is appreciated.
We went from Grand Junction to Durango via Moab as our Semi Truck GPS suggested (adding 100 miles to the trip) but wondered if there are more direct routes that would be alright and shorter. Our GPS suggests 160 to 145 to 62 to 550. Any steep climbs or descents there?
Thank you.
JMAT

Lizard Head Pass is one of the more gentile drives in the area -- Beautiful drive you should enjoy -- should be a little cooler than Utah -- lots of great little stops along the way -- When we stopped at Trout Lake I was ready to move in -- Dunton is a neat area and Telluride -- then Ralph Lourain's fences, before you get to Ridgway.

Beautiful area .

BOL,

I may just have a hard time with the English Language but there were two questions possed.

1. Our GPS suggests 160 to 145 to 62 to 550. Any steep climbs or descents there?

And if I am correct I have never heard of anyone who had a issue with this Route. Very easy and Beautiful -- by the time you reach 550 on this route, it is fairly FLAT IMHO.

2. "wondered if there are more direct routes that would be alright and shorter?"

In my mind, a direct route would usually mean straight and fast. 550 throught Silverton might be shorter but in no way is it straight and fast.

All that said, my suggestion, is to read any one of the thousands of posts on the Million Dollar Highway and decide for yourself as to your comfort level, on 550. IMHO, Even the most seasoned driver would enjoy the drive more, or again, in a car, so my suggestion is to get to Ridgway or Ouray , spend a few days and drive all over the area in your Explorer, this is some of the Best 4X4 trails in all the country -- in those drives you might even back track and see 550 again or for the first time.

Last but not least keep yourself appraised on the Wildfires in the area so as to not have a problem.

Hard to Drive a road in Colorado that is not Fun or Beautiful.

BOL,

Busskipper

Right now there is a lot of construction on 550 between Silverton and Ouray. We just came this way last week. Would we drive it again - HECK NO! Even doing 20-25 MPH (traffic and big rigs due to construction) it was not an enjoyable drive. This road is on our do not drive list. Sorry to those that enjoy it, we didn't. Any I didn't think it was that scenic. We have driven many mountain roads and this one tops the worst list.

The next time I take a motorhome and toad from Durango to Ouray, I'll go via Chicago! Seriously, I'm a flatlander, living in Florida and never more than a few miles from the ocean. My wife and I were TERRIFIED!!!!! My carburated engine could hardly make it over some of the passes. I might do it in my Jeep, but never in my motorhome.

Paul

Te different opinions are interesting. We did it in the knight, towing, last summer and loved every minute. No problems, no downshifting, no smoking brakes. left the exhaust brake on (and of course we have active brakes on the toad...) and enjoyed every minute.

Just traveled Durango to Montrose 4 days ago. Silverton-ourey-Montrose.
L
there is some steep climb and down hills, no road contructions.
I used extensive use of my retarder, to me it was a piece of cake, most beautiful dive. some narrow two lane twist, turny and basicly slow driving.
Lots of lower gears in parts. the drive is outstanding