Road information request Santa fe, NM / Durango, CO

[jonrjen]

Looking to get out of town for a trip. Thinking of heading from Dallas to Santa Fe, NM. Then head north up to Pagosa Springs, CO then west to Durango, CO.

I am wondering what the roads between Santa Fe to Pagosa Springs and on to Durango are like. Any issues in pulling a 40' 5th wheel on this route? What are the roads like?

Figure I would base myself out of Durango and drive on up to check out Ouray, Silverton, Cripple Creek and such in our F350 FX4.

Any and all information would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

[Allworth]

We have a friend working in Silverton (getting ready to bail for the winter) and he said it snowed both Thursday and Friday nights last week. Not much, but white and wet.

[TundraTower]

We drove that route from Durango (actually Moab) to Santa Fe in May pulling a 32' pull behind. Good 2 lane road and beautiful country.
Be cautious when you go thru Espanola, follow all traffic rules, and try not to stop there.

[kgarrett9999]

I have done that trip numerous times in the past, but never towing anything bigger than a 19' travel trailer. With that said, though I don't recall any particular areas that should pose a problem for you.

[WE-C-USA]

Drove 160 between Pagosa & Durango on the 25th. They're resurfacing the highway and had one way delays.

[jonrjen]

A quick search of campgrounds shows that Chama has no shortage of very highly rated choices to pick from.

Which did you choose?

[littlemo]

This is a beautiful drive and using Durango as home base it great.

Have fun!

[jrp]

Santa Fe to Chama 285/84, Chama to Pagosa 84, and then Pagosa to Durango 160, are all good roads; mostly 2 lanes with ocassional passing & turning lanes, and good shoulders in most areas. You'll do some up & down but no high passes and the elevations stay around 6500 - 7500.
Timing is everything, as you get further into October you significantly increase the chance of early winter snow storms in the higher elevations, especially if you head up to Silverton/Ouray or anywhere else above 10,000 ft.
This weekend was the peak for the fall leaf colors in the area and the leaves will be dropping quickly, especially with the cold front coming thru tonight & tomorrow. We have a freeze warning for tomorrow night (I'm at 8500 ft).

[2gypsies1]

From Santa Fe, it's a beautiful drive on Hwy 84 into Pagosa Springs and CO160 from Pagosa to Durango is an easy drive.

Be sure to stop in Pagosa and soak in the Springs for a few hours. They are clean, concrete pools of varying temperatures overlooking the river. It'll get the kinks out. 🙂 You'll have no problems. We just came from that way.

[GoPackGo]

I just did that trip with my 35 ft fiver, but came down from Durango to Santa Fe. I took Hwy 84 between Downtown Pagosa Springs and Santa Fe. Was very nice and no problems. I recommend Aspen Rose RV Park in Durango. Watch the steam train chug by on the other side of the highway. Get CG reservations early.

* Depending on when you go, You might want to start watching the weather in Durango - in the 30's at night now, And Silverton is at the 9500 ft level. You will go over a 10,000 ft pass to get to Silverton.

[gwalter]

The route is good from Santa Fe to Pagosa Springs. Bandelier National Monument is worth the time to visit.

[Crazy_Ray]

Jon, you will not have any problem, good roads

[Jay_Pat]

No problems. Your plans sounds fine. Past Santa Fe, lots of 2 lane roads.
I have stayed in Durango in the past.
I'm currently in Chama, NM enjoying the steam train and the "golden" aspens!
Pat