Highway 285 between denver and buena vista colo

[kent_luebbers]

Has anyone traveled HWY285 between Denver and Buena Vista Colorado?

Im traveling in a 34 motorhome with tow vehicle. Just wondering what kind of pull it is.

[4runnerguy]

Don't let the above posters scare you out of taking US 285. I lived in Conifer an commuted to Denver for many, many years, and the grade up Kenosha Pass at 5.3% is one of the easier ones going out of Denver. On a Friday, there are hundreds of RV's heading up 285 to go camping, and traffic volume slows progress to the pass. But your rig will have a easier time maintaining its speed up 285 vs. I-70.

[dsteinman]

fanrgs wrote:
Sorry, it is not 4 lane except between Denver and Conifer, with a another short section between Pine Junction and Bailey. The rest of US 285 from Bailey to Trout Creek Pass is winding, hilly, and two lanes, with very few passing lanes

I am sorry, I didn't explain myself completely. I meant that most of the climb out of Denver was 4 lane. I did not find that I slowed down on the uphill anywhere where there was not a passing lane, but I could be wrong.

And I agree, I would not drive anywhere from Denver on a Friday, especially in the afternoon.

And slowing other people down does bother me and I will let people pass as much as possible. In general, except during the steeper climbs, I keep up with the speed limit up to 65mph and often find other drivers in Colorado that slow me down.

David

[fanrgs]

dsteinman wrote:
. . . it is 4 lane and when the road is down to 2 lanes there are plenty of passing lanes. David

Sorry, it is not 4 lane except between Denver and Conifer, with a another short section between Pine Junction and Bailey. The rest of US 285 from Bailey to Trout Creek Pass is winding, hilly, and two lanes, with very few passing lanes, but several fast, nearly straight segments in South Park that allow passing.

From Bailey to the east end of Kenosha Pass the road has few places to pass, especially to pass a 40-ft coach and toad. So you may back up a long line of cars behind you if you can't maintain the speed limit. That may not bother you, but it bothers a lot of Colorado drivers who then can't maintain the speed limit either. For that reason, the suggestion to avoid driving it on Friday is a very good one!

[Busskipper]

kent luebbers wrote:
Has anyone traveled HWY285 between Denver and Buena Vista Colorado?

Im traveling in a 34 motorhome with tow vehicle. Just wondering what kind of pull it is.

Easy drive just not that scenic, only ting that I remember was Red Rocks. If I had known it was so uneventful before i left Red Rocks, I would have driven back to 70 so I could go through Leadville and Buena Vista on 91 and 24. So much more to see and do on this trip.

If you are just looking to go from point A to B it is an easy drive but if you came to the Rockies IMHO you should see the Rockies and drive them as much as possible.

JMHO,

[4runnerguy]

dsteinman wrote:
There was also construction on the bridge and the intersection at the junction with US24. Didn't affect anything when we went.

The (minor) construction was still there as of Wednesday, but pretty minor. Do be warned that traffic can back up quite a bit on a Friday afternoon where US 285 hits US 24 just south of Buena Vista. It was backed up over a mile when we were by there in the afternoon about a week ago. There's a stoplight for US 285 turning southward and it doesn't stay green long enough to handle all the traffic escaping Denver on Friday's.

[dsteinman]

We just did this a few weeks ago. No problem, a little slow on the uphill grades out of Denver, but it is 4 lane and when the road is down to 2 lanes there are plenty of passing lanes.

There was also construction on the bridge and the intersection at the junction with US24. Didn't affect anything when we went.

David

[RAS43]

I travel it a lot with doubles. As mentioned, it is hilly and there are some passes but they are not near as steep as on I70. The stretch from C470 to Kenosha Pass is the most hilly and curvy stretch with the most traffic. Once past Kenosha it is pretty flat with just a couple of short pulls.

[Thunder_Mountai]

It is a bit hilly as you descend through some of the small towns/unincorporated areas. Speed limits are all over the place. Lots of CHP and sheriffs running radar.

[Colo_Native]

you may run into some wind in South Park but other than that should be OK