driving from Yellowstone to Silverthorne, CO

Either route is fine. Going through Steamboat means going over Rabbit Ears and Muddy Passes which means a bit of a pull coming from the west. Not a technically difficult pass however. The other route joins US 40 on the east side of the pass(es). I would say that IMHO, for the Wyoming portion, WY 130/230 is a little more scenic than WY 789.

BTW, I've noticed before that the Google Street View car was going over Rabbit Ears Pass in pretty dark conditions. Nice sunset pictures but very difficult to make out the road.

john-damondaybreak wrote:
Planning on heading down to Rock Springs and picking up I-80. One route has you taking WY-789 and going through Steamboat Springs and south to Silverthorne. The other has you going further on I-80 and take WY-130. Looking on google maps, the route through steamboat springs looks to have more curves, mountain passes, etc...

We are driving a class C, have been to CO before heading out I-70. So I'm OK with mountain driving.

Anybody driven either of these routes before?

Will make a lot of assumptions coming out at ? - then down to Rock Springs - I'm just guessing but that hat to be in a good bit of Mountains and not very straight. Then down to Craig taking Rt 40 to Steamboat, Yampa SP is a good spot and Stagecoach SP is a good spot to stop if you are not staying in SS. Beautiful drive right Now - tops of the Peaks are getting a little snow so the Aspen should be starting to change and the drive will be beautiful. Your drive on 40 and 9 will be easy - good road that follows the river.

Where are you headed once you get to Silverthorne? Just the best time to be in the Mountains - we have flown out the last couple of years to catch the Color the last week of September but have not been able to get away this year so I'm really missing the drives.

Vail will be Beautiful along with the drive on 24 to Leadville and to the Collegiates, actually if you time it right Higher elevations first there is not a bat drive anywhere in the Mountains right NOW.

BOL,

This is planning for a trip next September. We've stayed in Tiger Run in Breckenridge before. Might do that again or try some other place in the general area of Summit County.

We were out there in the fall of 2014 - we timed it perfect with the aspen leaves.

Thanks for the suggestions.

john-damondaybreak wrote:
This is planning for a trip next September. We've stayed in Tiger Run in Breckenridge before. Might do that again or try some other place in the general area of Summit County.

We were out there in the fall of 2014 - we timed it perfect with the aspen leaves.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Here is a thread on a discussion with similar travels. We have family in Colorado so we are there often, if you are able to time a trip for the end of September early October you will be rewarded. If you need really good advice 4runnerguy (Ken) is the local EXPERT. He knows Colorado and can give you insight into many of the local spots that are so hard to find.

If you were out before then you know most of what is out here - we have found that the areas where the old mining roads are is just the best - providing days of explorations that are rewarded with sights and views that are not matched anywhere. From the Aspen to the Beaver ponds I will never see, explore, drive, hike,just be in these mountains that I am not just Amazed at the shear beauty.

Don't overplan - leave yourself time to just "go with the flow" of the weather and the terrain, you will not be sorry. (And the lack of HHH -Humidity is hard to leave)

BOL,

As with any route planning, you have options based on your personal preferences. From Yellowstone I would use hwy 287 to Rawlings, WY, then 130/230-14-40 TO Kremmling and 9 TO Silverthorne.
I lived in SBS for 12 yrs and spent lots of time on 789/13, 40, and 9. Its not a bad drive, just wouldn't be my choice for your point A to B, unless I was visiting friends in Steamboat.
130/230 is a bit more remote, but Wy does an excellent job maintaining their secondary roads. Co secondary roads are not quite as good and there were usually rough sections around Walden.