Hwy 550

[Not_a_Clue]

How is hwy 550 from Gallup NM to the 160 to Bayfield CO.?

[Not_a_Clue]

Thanks everyone!

[agesilaus]

Just take 491 up to Cortez and then 160 east to Durango as Barry points out. You'll get to see Red Mountain that way. 160 is an excellent road.

[Not_a_Clue]

Google has me taking 491 towards Shiprock and than cutting across on Indian service road 5 to 371 than north. A service seems rather sketchy to me.

[BarryG20]

491 from Gallup to Shiprock is ok, at which point if you are going to 550 you head east on 64 to Farmington and get on 516 which pretty much ends at 550 take that into Durango then 160 east to Bayfield about 18 miles. 550 in that stretch is not overly wide and a bit hilly in areas but nothing significant.

Take 491 from Gallup up to Cortez decent road depends on your idea of scenic though then hit 160 east to Bayfield 160 is good road

[agesilaus]

He clarified above that he meant 491 to Shiprock and then over to 550 to get to Bayfield, rather than going up to Durango I suppose.

Yeah but that means most of his trip is on 491 only a short section at the tail end on 550

[BB_TX]

agesilaus wrote:

The part he is asking about is not the part known as the million dollar highway. He is asking about the NM portion of 550 up to US 160.

No he got the Hwy number wrong, he means Hwy 491 north from Gallop which is not all that scenic.

He clarified above that he meant 491 to Shiprock and then over to 550 to get to Bayfield, rather than going up to Durango I suppose.

[Edd505]

160 turn east at Cortez to Wold Creek Pass!! No you stop before then. Not sure where your headed in Bayfield but the Sky Ute casino has an excellent RV park & a good museum. Mill street Bistro & Brenda's cafe are both good eats in Bayfield. Good road all the way I have a nephew I visit there several times a year. Sounds like your first trip to the area so you may want to make a quick stop in 4 corners, nice place to see once so you can say I been there. Large lot with RV parking, watch the holes.

[agesilaus]

The part he is asking about is not the part known as the million dollar highway. He is asking about the NM portion of 550 up to US 160.

No he got the Hwy number wrong, he means Hwy 491 north from Gallop which is not all that scenic.

[ppine]

Lumpy. These kind of roads scare people if they are from the flat lands. Watch the weather.

[BB_TX]

TexasShadow wrote:
550 is known as the million dollar highway because it crosses three, spectacular mountain passes. ..............

The part he is asking about is not the part known as the million dollar highway. He is asking about the NM portion of 550 up to US 160.

[TexasShadow]

550 is known as the million dollar highway because it crosses three, spectacular mountain passes. it is also two lane, mostly, and not bad if you are on the inside, against the mountain sides, but not so great if you're on the outside, looking down into the canyons, etc.
going north, you will be mostly on the outside, I think.

lots of folks do it, but I would not do it in our motorhome. we have done it in an SUV.

[Lwiddis]

Very beautiful.

[Not_a_Clue]

agesilaus wrote:
You mean Hwy 491? Unless my map is wrong. We've been up it, nothing in particular comes to mind. A two lane fairly good roadway. But it goes thru Navajo land and so be extra careful not to speed, the tribal police are diligent. We got verbal a warning for 5 mph over the speed limit. No services before Shiprock tho so fuel up in Gallup.-

yes, 491 to Shiprock to 550. Some people say 491 is pretty rough. Thx

[agesilaus]

You mean Hwy 491? Unless my map is wrong. We've been up it, nothing in particular comes to mind. A two lane fairly good roadway. But it goes thru Navajo land and so be extra careful not to speed, the tribal police are diligent. We got verbal a warning for 5 mph over the speed limit. No services before Shiprock tho so fuel up in Gallup.-