Colorado, I70 and 160 to 285 advice
Hello, Wondering if experienced drivers can tell us how the drive is through Colorado. We've pulled our travel trailer through mountainous areas before but we've never been to Colorado. We plan t...
Forum Discussion
I 70 is ho hum yes some long grades but it is interstate highway so nothing crazy at all. Genesee/floyd hill just west of Denver, then the slog up to the Eisenhower tunnel, then up Vail pass after that easy peasy to Moab.
Moab and 191 south to Monticello Utah some short steep hills but nothing big. 491 from Monticello to Cortez (keep your eyes open for the 160 turn off in Cortez it can sneak up on you) easy peasy good road then on 160 to Mesa Verde again easy peasy bit of hill just before Mesa Verde exit.
160 east from Mesa Verde to 285 is nothing except for Wolf Creek pass. I personally find it zero issue but I drive over it probably 50 times a year so may be jaded. It is great road only two hairpins going up the west side and don't recall any on the east side. Once down super easy to Del Norte at the stop light in Del Norte turn left on 112 and save yourself some miles. It will take you to 160 is good road and flat. Left on 160 and it is slow slight uphill grade all the way to the top of Poncha Pass like as in 50 miles gradual. In fact you wont even know you are going up the pass it is such a gradual climb. Going down the other side you can tell but it is a minimal pass and no issue. Once down pay attention to signs to stay on 285 as you hit Poncha Springs there is stop light go through that and get in right hand lane to turn off to stay on 285 Now you start heading up the Arkansas river valley again a couple hills nothing big at all. At Johnson Corners you turn no big whoop again even Kenosha pass is minimal pass. After you get down it the road gets a bit more curvey but 45-55mph then it opens up in Bailey where there is a decent hill but really fairly short and gets better but it is good road all the way into Denver.
285 to 160 is my go to route to get down to the Mesa Verde area as we have some property in the area so am down there frequently. The drive is nice, usually uncrowded, minimal big trucks and good scenery.
Moab and 191 south to Monticello Utah some short steep hills but nothing big. 491 from Monticello to Cortez (keep your eyes open for the 160 turn off in Cortez it can sneak up on you) easy peasy good road then on 160 to Mesa Verde again easy peasy bit of hill just before Mesa Verde exit.
160 east from Mesa Verde to 285 is nothing except for Wolf Creek pass. I personally find it zero issue but I drive over it probably 50 times a year so may be jaded. It is great road only two hairpins going up the west side and don't recall any on the east side. Once down super easy to Del Norte at the stop light in Del Norte turn left on 112 and save yourself some miles. It will take you to 160 is good road and flat. Left on 160 and it is slow slight uphill grade all the way to the top of Poncha Pass like as in 50 miles gradual. In fact you wont even know you are going up the pass it is such a gradual climb. Going down the other side you can tell but it is a minimal pass and no issue. Once down pay attention to signs to stay on 285 as you hit Poncha Springs there is stop light go through that and get in right hand lane to turn off to stay on 285 Now you start heading up the Arkansas river valley again a couple hills nothing big at all. At Johnson Corners you turn no big whoop again even Kenosha pass is minimal pass. After you get down it the road gets a bit more curvey but 45-55mph then it opens up in Bailey where there is a decent hill but really fairly short and gets better but it is good road all the way into Denver.
285 to 160 is my go to route to get down to the Mesa Verde area as we have some property in the area so am down there frequently. The drive is nice, usually uncrowded, minimal big trucks and good scenery.
