Hwy 50 Grand Junction to Pueblo Colo

A big thanks to all of you that responded. Looks like it's hyw 50 for us.

Sidewheeler wrote:
Class A with a Sumarai toad. My question is would I be advised to take Hwy 50 to Pueblo from Grand Juntion or stay on I70 to Denver and then south on I25 Are there big climbs on Hwy50.

OK - you have all the straight/simple answers.

Take a look at the possibility of a combination of interstates and a state route. Grand Junction take I-70 to exit 171 Route 24 to Leadville, that will allow you to follow the Colorado River a bit and to drive through Glenwood Springs, this drive is a little faster than the drive through Montrose and will allow you to see the Over Under part of the Interstate that is truly a beautiful drive.(side note you could slide off at Glenwood Springs and go to Maroon Bells - just spectacular) when getting on Rt 24 you will be driving in some of Colorado's best, road winds a bit and gives you some great opportunities to stop and just take it in. Now Leadville is a great stop - Quincy's for Dinner - Turqouise Lake - Arkansas River - Collegiate Peaks - Possible drive over to Crested Butte, sort or a "as good as it gets" in Colorado. after leaving Leadville park the Coach and take the toad on the Drive over Independence Pass, you will thank me for that drive. Now on to Salida and to Rt 50 to Pueblo.

Simple drive and while you will encounter a few grades, you will not complain - well you might want to drive a little slower - just a little more to see and do.

Now you said September, if you make that the last week of September that is when the Aspen start turning GOLD and if that is the case then this is the route - but then you need a week and have to promise to take ALL the side trips, add to that you can cross it off your Bucket List - or add it to do again. Every time we do any part of this trip I just can't wait to do it again, this IS Colorado and if the Aspen are changing, almost Heaven.

There is nothing wrong with any of the other routes if you just want to go from "A" to "B" , but this is an RVing forum so ...........

JMHO,

No doubt 50 is best. 70 is traffic intense.

There is a decent grade west of Blue Mesa Reservoir, in addition to what others have mentioned on 50.

In the summer, I think you would save time and mileage on 50. That is the way I would go.

Keep in mind that Salida to Canyon City follows the Arkansas River and there's not much straight roadway anywhere between the two. Nice drive no doubt!

4runnerguy wrote:
Time wise the two routes are about the same. Grades are about the same, also, but you have two big ones on I-70 (Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass) vs. one (Monarch) on US 50. Much more traffic on I-70, so even though it's multi-lane the whole way, it can get crowded, esp. on weekends. Plus, I-25 from Denver through Colorado Springs can be crazy busy also, weekdays and weekends alike.

What Ken said.

Plus, you have Floyd Hill (a misnomer, by the way) to climb up as you leave Idaho Springs, and then the long decline into the Golden/Denver area.

Monarch Pass is not difficult, and at the top there's a nice gift shop/visitor's center and aerial tram that you can take up to the peak above the pass; the vistas up there are incredible.

Time wise the two routes are about the same. Grades are about the same, also, but you have two big ones on I-70 (Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass) vs. one (Monarch) on US 50. Much more traffic on I-70, so even though it's multi-lane the whole way, it can get crowded, esp. on weekends. Plus, I-25 from Denver through Colorado Springs can be crazy busy also, weekdays and weekends alike.

Definitely Hwy 50.

US50 over Monarch Pass is not hard to pull. It is 2 lanes up to the summit with pullouts if needed. I prefer it over I70 as there is Vail Pass and the Eisenhower tunnels, both long pulls and lots of traffic. I pull doubles and still feel more at ease on US50.

50 has monarch pass over 10,000 feet but going thru denver i-70 goes over about 11,000 ft so either way has a good climb.i like 50 better for scenery plus you miss the hornets nest of traffic around denver