CO Hwy 550 - Montrose to Durango

[Dave5143]

How is this route? According to the trip planner it looks like all mountain driving to me. Anybody familiar with this route? Would you recommend using it with a 34' travel trailer in tow?

[2lazy4U]

I used to live in that country and have driven that road many many times. I wouldn't want to tow anything over it, quite frankly, especially after hearing a few stories from my cousin, who's on search and rescue for Ouray County and has helped get people out who went over the side, some alive, some not so alive.

[Busskipper]

2gypsies wrote:
If you're used to driving mountains roads and are comfortable doing it, it is very doable with a RV. We've done it multiple times - both directions - with our 40' motorhome towing the Jeep. You also need to know how your trucks pulls and how it is on steep downhills and you need to know about gearing on downhills.

I had to smile at the above post by Thom02099 about the drivers are "generally who've done it (or similar) more than once." There has to be that first time doesn't it? 🙂

Look at a couple of pictures, Will your eyes get Big, a Little but my eyes are so BIG when ever I'm in these Mountains, Shoot my eyes are wide open when I drive 145. This is why "I" came to Colorado.

It's not for everyone, in the RV, but those who love it, LOVE it, and those who don't..........

Just be smart and know your limits.

Love to drive in Colorado!

[Kavoom]

Take an extra pair of pants. The million dollar highway was named because it was supposedly built on mine tailings that are still worth a million bucks...or that's one of the stories.

We used to do it when I was a kid with the old station wagon (64 Dodge/wedge hydralic clutch) and it was the only way to get there from there. My mom hated it and called it the pee pants road. Semi's were all over it then also. My father never got to enjoy the drive either and had no clue how nice it was... We were on it about 10 years ago again, with the trailer nicely ensconced down in Durango... Take the train.

[2gypsies1]

If you're used to driving mountains roads and are comfortable doing it, it is very doable with a RV. We've done it multiple times - both directions - with our 40' motorhome towing the Jeep. You also need to know how your trucks pulls and how it is on steep downhills and you need to know about gearing on downhills.

I had to smile at the above post by Thom02099 about the drivers are "generally who've done it (or similar) more than once." There has to be that first time doesn't it? 🙂

[Thom02099]

kalynzoo wrote:
DO NOT DO IT! It is a lovely beautiful scenic drive in a car. The Million Dollar highway has many small turnouts, viewpoints, and a huge memorial to those who have lost their lives building and maintain the road. It was once featured in the TV show "Most Dangerous Roads". Sharp turns (you can check your own tail-lights) steep drops, traffic rushing to get home or work, and steep grades. My knuckles still hurt from holding the steering wheel, and that was some 20 years ago. Take an extra day, go all the way around down Highway 25 and across. Then take the lovely drive to Silverton and Quaray in the car.
JMHO

^^^^^ This.

You'll get responses that it's no big deal, done it lots of times no problem, yada yada. These are generally drivers who've done it (or similar) more than once -- it's ain't their first roadeo (pun intended). However, there's a very good reason that it's continually featured as a "Most Dangerous Road". Not just what was mentioned above, but also consider that there are commercial vehicles/semis that drive this route and they will be frequently coming from the opposite direction. Flatlanders white knuckling the drive will be hugging/crossing the centre line, also coming at you. Many of these drivers are in over their heads as far as knowing what to do on a steep shelf road with no guardrails, no shoulders, and steep drop offs. Many of us have been driving Colorado mountain roads for decades, and some of us know what roads to seek an alternative if pulling a trailer or driving a motor home. This is one of them. I'll always recommend an alternative to this road for someone who's never driven it.

[kalynzoo]

DO NOT DO IT! It is a lovely beautiful scenic drive in a car. The Million Dollar highway has many small turnouts, viewpoints, and a huge memorial to those who have lost their lives building and maintain the road. It was once featured in the TV show "Most Dangerous Roads". Sharp turns (you can check your own tail-lights) steep drops, traffic rushing to get home or work, and steep grades. My knuckles still hurt from holding the steering wheel, and that was some 20 years ago. Take an extra day, go all the way around down Highway 25 and across. Then take the lovely drive to Silverton and Quaray in the car.
JMHO

[cpd520]

We did it with a 21' hybrid behind a 1/2 ton Chevy Avalanche. No problem. Would not necessarily want to drive the MH and toad down it.
It was a beautiful drive. lots of winding, no guard rail, tight edges with STEEP drop offs.
Had a great time.

[jolooote]

550, the Million dollar hyway, is NOT for towing long rigs, altho many do it. Going north or south there will be a curvy section where the outside lane will be ON the EDGE without any guard rail. Just you, the white line and the canyon. I'd take Rt.62 from Ridgeway over to 145 south to Delores. About halfway to Delores is a wonderful Nat'l Forest campground, called Cayton, that has ELECTRIC!!

[Tom_Barb]

Dave5143 wrote:
How is this route? According to the trip planner it looks like all mountain driving to me. Anybody familiar with this route? Would you recommend using it with a 34' travel trailer in tow?

We were there a week ago, there is a lot of snow but the road from Durango to Silverton was bare and dry. but it is snowing there this week.
Spring comes late that high.

[kknowlton]

We did it years ago with a popup, towed by an early-model Ford Explorer, and nearly burned the TV brakes out. The section from Ouray to Silverton is the worst. I've seen a lot of posts here that don't recommend it for towing large trailers or for motorhomes with toads.