Route Canon City, CO to Moab, UT

Tony&DiannesRV wrote:
Hi all-
We are on our cross-country trip (finally!)
We are based here in a campground off Rte 50 in Canon City now. Next stop is Moab, UT. If we take 50W all the way to I70 in Grand Junction and then into Utah, is there anything we should be concerned about regarding steep passes? We are towing a 30' 5'er with a 2015 2500 Sierra gas.

If this is not the best route, is there a better route? We are concerned about mountain passes and safety the most; not so much about the time. The weather ahead looks great for travel.
Thanks in advance, Tony

I'd think that is the only logical route - should be a fun, and beautiful drive - Lot's of great side trips if you are interested.

If Moab is the ultimate destination try to remember getting off on Exit 214 in Utah onto Rt 128 for the drive along the Colorado River into Moab.

If you are interested you really might visit many of the sights along the route.

BOL,

Thank you for the quick reply.
We are basing ourselves in several CO areas and staying an average of 6 nights at each and doing day trips to see what's in the area. We wanted to hit Moab before it got too hot out there! But back into CO again to stay in Dolores next.

Make any reservations you will need in Moab before you leave. Moab is a very busy place this time of the year and RV sites are hard to get as well as Motel reservations.

We're on it! Made reservations months ago for Spanish Trail.

you will find Monarch pass west of Salida a bit of a challenge, but lots of big rigs do it every day.

TexasShadow wrote:
you will find Monarch pass west of Salida a bit of a challenge, but lots of big rigs do it every day.

Yes, and not many options avoiding a pass(es) in CO. OP, The route you have chosen would absolutely be the route I would take.

Salida/Poncha Springs/Buena Vista are great areas to hang out in but sounds like you are just passing through Salida area. Monarch Pass is a great drive too and it is not too bad... just gear down on the descent. I take my TT over that pass a lot and do not find it nerve racking. Hwy 50 around Blue Mesa Res. is very scenic and worthy of picture taking. Then the eastern descent into Montrose is not bad at all.

One suggestion - get off I70 at exit 214 in UT for route 6 to route 128 to Moab. Great drive including a section in a canyon alongside the Colorado River.

As mentioned Monarch pass is the only real pass you will go over. There will be another decent hill or two on the west side of Blue Mesa Res. On I 70 you will encounter a few good hills as you get close to the Utah State line but nothing that is a big deal. HWY 128 as previously mentioned is fantastic and I highly recommend you take it whether you do it inbound to Moab or as a side trip one of the days you are there is up to you. It does follow the river and is a bit curvey and not exceptionally wide. You may enjoy it more without the RV.

Basically, you are in CO and, at some point, you will have passes to get over the mountains. Fact of life. That route you will have Monarch Pass going up to about 11,300 feet or so with maybe up to nine miles of 6% or so up and down.

You might consider taking the 285 / 24 up to the interstate.

As you probably already know, gas engines do not like altitude. If you did not know that be aware you will be loosing power more the higher you go; you will be fine, just be aware that you will have less power.

Your responses help a lot. Thanks very much!