Road information

Depends on the driver. The route is certainly negotiable by a rig that small, it is a trunk highway carrying trucks and buses, though some of the larger rigs (but not 45-foot, 36,000 motor coaches) route around the Ouray-Silverton section.

The switchback right above Ouray is probably the sharpest on the whole route. Closer to Silverton there are some S curves, probably signed 20 mph, but otherwise not difficult.

The one time I drove my 34' DP and trailer on 550 from Silverton to Ouray I had no problem and it was a beautiful view, when I was able to look at it, but I would never do it again and I am very used to mountain driving. During that trip I also drove it a couple of times in the Jeep and once I followed an 18 wheeler down into Ouray and watched him try and navigate the sharp corners without slowing down much. While his tires were mostly in his lane the center of the trailer was not. I witnessed many curves when the trailer was in the oncoming lane enough to wipe out anything but a very small car. So even though you can drive your RV over it I wouldn't...

I would suggest you go to Search and look up Red Mountain Pass, Million Dollar Highway, etc.

It all depends up your personal mountain driving expertise and comfort. You will have sheer, steep dropoffs with little / no shoulder and not guard rails along with the grades and curves.

Oh, the one thing you have no control over - the oncoming drivers who feel their half is out of the middle.

I have driven it several times but not with my 5er thank you. And I am a well experienced mountain driver.

Use the route in paragraph 2 of Desert Hawk's posting.

The people coming against you will also appreciate it as well as you will be over the line many times.

Thanks you all, great advise, I think at this moment we are going to take 550. Our RV is a 39 foot 5th wheel with dual axels and a 2013 model, Truck is an F350 Ford 2013 model so I'm thinking brakes should be no problem. Only thing that concerns me is equipment failure. Not sure what an exhaust brake is so I assume I do not have one?
One more question is about speed limit? and what do you do about backed up traffic if there is not turn outs? Third week in September is targeted time?
Thanks again.

Can you do it....sure..lots do...will you ENJOY it..?:h..maybe...will your passengers enjoy it...probably NOT....just sayin...I've done it and it's a beautiful drive, but you should take it slow and be courteous to the traffic flow behind you. Make sure your rig is in tip top shape too. Halfway down the mountain is not the time to remember you haven't changed your brake fluid in 10 years....Dennis

You would not have to take the I-25 to bypass this section of US 550. Which would take you to Pueblo to reach the 25. Then down to catch US 160 W to Durango. A mere 496 mi, 9 hours 1 min. to drive.

Drive to Ridgway take CO 62 W to CO 145 S toward Telluride; Then follow the 145 to CO-184 E to US-160 E to Durango. About a 150 miles from Ridgway to Durango.

(One could keep on the CO 145 S to the Cortez Area & the US 160 E & this would take you by Mesa Verde along the way. CO 184 could bypass Mesa Verde.

However, the Drive from Ridgway to Durango via Silverton on the Million Dollar Highway is very doable & a fun drive & is only 81 miles. I'd agree with:

2Gypsies wrote:
Some folks will tell you definitely 'no'. However, there's no definite yes or no. It all depends if you've had some mountain driving experience and how comfortable you are about it. You'll have a constant downhill from Montrose to Durango. How do you feel about your brakes? Do you have an exhaust brake? It's a gorgeous drive and many RVers and semi trucks do it so yes, it can be done.

Except the part about the "constant downhill from Montrose to Durango". From Montrose to almost Silverton (if not Silverton), it will be mainly uphill, then it is mostly downhill to Durango. IMHO.

You got to climb up the mountain before you get to come down. But there are at least two pretty good ups & downs getting to Silverton. If my memory is correct. We drove it in 2010.

The Uncompahgre Gorge is one of the good downs one must climb up to so one can then descent down into; so you can then climb back out of in order to continue on down the mountain. Seems there is another dip one must do as well, before you get to just drive downhill.

US 550 from Montrose to Durango: Very nice drive, very steep & somewhat curvy in places after Quray. Have used it a few times. The section from Silverton to Ouray is frequently called the Million Dollar Highway with Red Mountain Pass (elevation 11,018'). Beautiful country with many waterfalls & Uncompahgre Gorge. Ouray is a neat little village as is Silverton.

Video Just Cruisin' - Uncompahgre Gorge

Just remember speed is the enemy, do not get into having to ride your breaks, use lower gears, do not let the rig get going too fast. Keep calm. Be happy. Enjoy. Take it S L O W.

Telluride, to the west southwest of Ridgeway is a neat area as well. Take CO 62 to CO 145 from Ridgeway to reach Telluride. 145 will lead you to US 160 (West of Durango). Not as steep of a drive, only one pass, Lizard Head Pass at 10,222' after Telluride. Mostly down Southbound after Lizard Head Pass.

http://www.visittelluride.com/things-to-do/camping

I've read about boondocking sites at Lizard Head Pass area: LizardHead ___________ Ditto

We camped at a San Juan Nat'l Forest CG along the Dolores River which was just off 145, South of Lizard Head Pass. Can't remember the name of it now. Camping San Juans But Clayton Campground seems to be the one, below the Pass & by the river, etc. Matterhorn Campground might be nicer. We had bikes with us & in riding along a forest road to the east of the Pass, we found Trout Lake & road by it as well. We were able to drive our van on the roads as well.

Montrose Elevation: 5806 feet, Ridgway elevation 6,985 feet, Ouray Elevation, 7,792 ft, Silverton Elevation 9,308 ft & Durango is 6,512 feet.

I drove this road once in my 36ft Holiday Rambler with a toad, it was horrible, tight turns, no ledge, on coming traffic, steep, it took a month for blood to start flowing back into my fingers, just from gripping the steering wheel.
I have driven the road in the car a few times to see the scenery, lovely drive, beautiful scenery, fun places to stop. We really like Silverton and Quray is quaint. But with the full rig, I would say go all the way around and take the 25 to Durango. Don't miss Mesa Verde when in the area.
Happy Trails.

We do it with our 40' motorhome - both directions - but then, we really enjoy these kinds of roads.

Some folks will tell you definitely 'no'. However, there's no definite yes or no. It all depends if you've had some mountain driving experience and how comfortable you are about it. You'll have a constant downhill from Montrose to Durango. How do you feel about your brakes? Do you have an exhaust brake? It's a gorgeous drive and many RVers and semi trucks do it so yes, it can be done.

Plan to spend some time in Silverton on your way down. It's a neat little town and your truck could easily take you out to Animas Forks and a fun ghost town. Have a great trip.

Sure - if you can drive between lines and control your speed on hills. :)

It is one of the more mountainous highways in Colorado - with grades and curves and stretches without guardrails. But none of curves are too tight for an 18 wheeler or school bus.

there lots of threads about this 'million dollar' highway. Look up Ouray or Silverton.