Hwy 160? from durango Co. to Denver, Co.

Thanks everyone, I have two fantastic ways of travel to Denver.

I guess I will see which one when I get there and how antsy Grandma is to get on to see our granddaughter. That 160 to 285 route sounds pretty good.

Actually, when I put the destinations in my Garmin last night it routed me the 160-285.

Jantx, I know how you feel about Colorado, wish I could have lived there, but my work tied me to Calif.

I agree w/ the durangotangs..... alias Polly Sue. That just depends on how much in a hurry you are. Junctown, as we use to call it,, is cool place to pick up some fresh fruit,, but it better be later in the season,, like July at least before the peaches come off,, even down here in Tx...they also have cherries and other fruit.. but given co. seasons.. id lean towards even august... so,,,that central route sure is pretty and lots of NF campgrounds to stay in to save those expensive fees of a private park... and some priceless scenery too!
DO I love COLORADO? yep! you can bet on it! wish I was back up there living,, except for their liberal gun laws make me glad im a Texas resident now ;)

About city freeway driving,, as for me and my 'house' we avoid them at all costs. Being raised in Dallas,, I gotta say im ALLERGIC to that horrible traffic and in an RV.. ooooooweeee! it's gotta be a tail squencher for sure,, if you get my drift! LOL (that's worse than white knuckle!)

FYI, Durango is at 6512 feet. Wolf Creek is a wide easy highway. Fastest and prettiest way to Denver is 160 to 285 north to I-470 in Golden to I-70. That's how we Durangotangs go and we go a lot!!

Thanks for the many suggestions, actually, my destination is Laramie, Wyo. via Denver
I have driven from Durango, North up 60 through silverton a few times and on through Montrose, Grand Junction. Stayed in the Silverton campground a few times.
I am leaning on heading to Montrose and turning East. Jantx & Dave made it sound very interesting.

US 550 thru silverton and Ouray is absolutely beautiful. But if you are going to do it in an RV you better be very comfortable driving in the mountains. Two high passes, narrow winding roads, no shoulders, and no guard rails, and a long way off the sides.
pictures
As far as US 160 it is THE major highway across southern Colorado. Yes, Wolf Creek Pass is pretty long and steep. But 160 is a virtual pipeline for trucks and RVs of all sizes and types crossing that area.
If you just want to get from Durango to Denver, that is the easiest and quickest route. From 160 you could also take US 285 at Monte Vista north to Salida and then US 50 to I-25 at Pueblo. That is also a good highway. US 285 from Salida also continues north to Denver but I have never been that way so can't comment on that part of the road.

OK. Been studying the map and the way I would go,,,,is: up thru Silverton via 550 which is KNOWN to be probably one if not THE MOST scenic road thru Colorado.

It takes you thru ridgeway then up to Montrose,, which is a cute little town w/ a walmart,, if you are in need of anything...then..over towards and by the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, which is my favorite river to fish..plenty of campgrounds thru there as you're going thru a natl recreation area , Currecanti to name it, then on to Gunnison which is another cute town that would be great place to spend the night if you did't camp in the rec areas along the way. there ARE some great natl forest cgs north of the river which are marked on your map and that's a lovely area too,, lots of spacious sites but of course , no hookups for the high maintenance ones... but a table and firepit. Ive camped there several times in the past , say about 30 yrs ago,, ha,, but has got to be even better now... and it's woodsy in the forest... cool and nice.
Continue east towards Buena VIsta and then turn north towards Fairplay ,, also a cute town which I have spent the night... in a motel,,, the Brown BUrro, namely,, ha,, but you will have passed several other nf campgrounds along that route. SO.... you can head due north out of Fairplay and inter the Interstate 70 to Denver @ Silverthorne,, or take 285 up to Bailey and points north,, but it's 2 lane but you are descending out of the mtns fyi,, so,, in regard to that,, either route,, I 70 which is freeway all the way in,,,or 285 which puts you entering Denver on the sw side. COnsult your map and take your pick,, but id put my last choice for coming up the whole way from pueblo via I 25 as the scenery is yuk there as you're now on the plains...
im picturing this country in my mind as ive traversed it soooo many times..

just depends on whether you need to get there fast or just get there . I wouldn't go east to I 25 unless I just had to get there in a hurry. Where in Denver do you need to go? As for scenery,,, there's nothing more scenic than heading cross country thru the other little towns and ending up on I 70 somewhere. Just check your map and see what you like. Meanwhile I will look too and report back. I have made those trips numerous times as I use to live in CO and also travelled all over the state even before I lived there. I hate the drive up I 25,, just for the cities and traffic one has to contend with going up that way. The westerly route is just thru mtns and small towns. My preference. I will see what you're driving and re post as soon as I can. gotta go fix lunch now for mama .

From Durango(4350') to the crest of Wolf Creek Pass(10850') you will have some grades up to 8 percent.
Just keep the rpm up on the cat to avoid any chance of overheating. I stay above 2000 going up.

Brought out 36' Alpine home that way and have made several trips from Durango over to the Alamosa area. Good road, Wolf Creek Pass is rather extreme but very scenic. From Durango you'll be going up the steep part, the downhill on the other side isn't bad, just use the transmission and exhaust brake to hold you back.

IMO the whole way from Durango to I-25 is just stunning and well worth the drive. There are other routes like up 550 to Montrose then over 50 through Gunnison (Check out Black Canyon) to Salida then over 285 to Denver. A 34-36' DP like ours are great for exploring the 2 lane highways in Colorado.

160 = Faster, 550/50/285 = a bit more leisurely trip but with more things to see. Either way is completely OK for a rig like ours.