Steep Grades Colorado Springs to Moab

[Brent_and_Gina]

Hey all,

Visiting a friend in Colorado Springs then headed to Moab area. Looking for route suggestions that avoid switchbacks, steep grades, and bad roads. We leave in 3 weeks. It's not that my rig can't handle it, rather I can't handle it. I have a fear of narrow roads at elevation and steep drop-offs especially without guard rails. Thanks so much.

Brent

[JAC1982]

Brent and Gina wrote:

JAC1982 wrote:
OP, my husband is like you, he does NOT like switchbacks or narrow roads even with guard rails. Even driving over dams makes him really nervous. He grew up in Wyoming and has lived either there or here in CO with the exception of a few years in AZ. He doesn't even like doing it in a car. So it's not just an issue of him "not being used to it", it's a genuine fear. That being said, we do I-70 to the Fruita area once a year and he does just fine with it. It has huge shoulders for much of it and lots of truck traffic, so if you're nervous, just hop in the right lane with them and take it easy. The windiest/narrowest part is Glenwood Canyon but the speed limit is lowered there and it's still 2 lanes each way (except during construction).

IMO, the worst part is on I-70 near Genesee/Lookout Mountain, heading East. The stuff around Silverthorne/tunnel is easier than that last drop down into Denver.

Thanks! Have you guys taken 50 before? I'm leaning towards 50.

No, we haven't 😞 We tend to stay north, haven't made it to Central CO yet.

[paulj]

For EW major crossings of the Colorado mountains there are only 3 choices - I70, US50 and US160.

50 spends the least amount of time in National Forests (which normally cover the higher, wetter altitudes).

[lewisr]

Once you're on i-70 in Utah, take exit 214 and follow 128 to Moab. A great scenic drive and you get to set it from the bottom up along the Colorado River. Once you're staying in Moab area, be sure to drive up 279, again along the Colorado River and viewing from the bottom up.

[Brent_and_Gina]

JAC1982 wrote:
OP, my husband is like you, he does NOT like switchbacks or narrow roads even with guard rails. Even driving over dams makes him really nervous. He grew up in Wyoming and has lived either there or here in CO with the exception of a few years in AZ. He doesn't even like doing it in a car. So it's not just an issue of him "not being used to it", it's a genuine fear. That being said, we do I-70 to the Fruita area once a year and he does just fine with it. It has huge shoulders for much of it and lots of truck traffic, so if you're nervous, just hop in the right lane with them and take it easy. The windiest/narrowest part is Glenwood Canyon but the speed limit is lowered there and it's still 2 lanes each way (except during construction).

IMO, the worst part is on I-70 near Genesee/Lookout Mountain, heading East. The stuff around Silverthorne/tunnel is easier than that last drop down into Denver.

Thanks! Have you guys taken 50 before? I'm leaning towards 50.

[gwalter]

We live in Colorado Springs and this is the route we like to take and the scenery is great. In fact we are driving it next week both ways to and from Montrose. We avoid going through Denver because of very heavy traffic and the pull up out of Denver on I 70 and truck traffic up to the Eisenhower tunnel.

RAS43 wrote:
Since you will be in Colorado Springs take US24 West to US 285, then to US50 and west to Grand Junction. Some hills but good road and only Monarch pass to cross which has 2 lanes much of the way to the top. Easy route and lots of scenery and places to stop.

[JAC1982]

OP, my husband is like you, he does NOT like switchbacks or narrow roads even with guard rails. Even driving over dams makes him really nervous. He grew up in Wyoming and has lived either there or here in CO with the exception of a few years in AZ. He doesn't even like doing it in a car. So it's not just an issue of him "not being used to it", it's a genuine fear. That being said, we do I-70 to the Fruita area once a year and he does just fine with it. It has huge shoulders for much of it and lots of truck traffic, so if you're nervous, just hop in the right lane with them and take it easy. The windiest/narrowest part is Glenwood Canyon but the speed limit is lowered there and it's still 2 lanes each way (except during construction).

IMO, the worst part is on I-70 near Genesee/Lookout Mountain, heading East. The stuff around Silverthorne/tunnel is easier than that last drop down into Denver.

[ppine]

After living in Colorado for many years, and working in the outdoors a lot of the time the roads start to seem normal. That is really good preparation for everywhere else. Compared to CO most roads in the US are not that difficult.

[catkins]

Yes - check route on Trucker Path. If OK for Truckers with big rigs, I know is OK for RVs. Now, steep grades may be another issue. Check Mountain Directory if you can. Be safe and enjoy the trip!

[Brent_and_Gina]

Thom02099 wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
Even I-70 has extremely steep grades from Denver west. I'd recommend I-25 to CO 50 to Grand Junction. You'll have Monarch Pass which is a steep downhill but it's not narrow and it's over with fast. 🙂 Absolutely gorgeous drive and lots to stop for along the way.

You could also take NM 550 just north of Albuquerque to NM 64 to AZ160 or at Shiprock, NM pick up 491 north to Cortez then 491 to UT 191 north.

These suggestions. Monarch Pass is not a difficult pass by Colorado standards, as there's climb lanes going westbound. There's no steep drop offs, no lack of guard rails either.

A fear of heights is not to be marginalized. Kudos to you for taking ownership of your fear and still looking for ways to travel while minimizing any risk. I think that, if you follow 2gypsies suggestion, you'll look back on it and say "that wasn't so bad after all".

By the way, we passed through Loveland on our way to Yellowstone in 2012. A fantastic looking place. Wife always said if we move, it'll be there!

[Brent_and_Gina]

Thom02099 wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
Even I-70 has extremely steep grades from Denver west. I'd recommend I-25 to CO 50 to Grand Junction. You'll have Monarch Pass which is a steep downhill but it's not narrow and it's over with fast. 🙂 Absolutely gorgeous drive and lots to stop for along the way.

You could also take NM 550 just north of Albuquerque to NM 64 to AZ160 or at Shiprock, NM pick up 491 north to Cortez then 491 to UT 191 north.

These suggestions. Monarch Pass is not a difficult pass by Colorado standards, as there's climb lanes going westbound. There's no steep drop offs, no lack of guard rails either.

A fear of heights is not to be marginalized. Kudos to you for taking ownership of your fear and still looking for ways to travel while minimizing any risk. I think that, if you follow 2gypsies suggestion, you'll look back on it and say "that wasn't so bad after all".

Thanks for being thoughtful! It can be paralyzing sometimes and I do try and push myself when I can. Was on a roof once laying shingles (alone) and it hit me suddenly. Legs went to rubber. I wish I could control it more. I'm not afraid to speak in front of 300 people and lecture for hours nor afraid to pick up snakes, even poisonous ones. I understand those are huge fears for a large portion of folks, but unprotected heights where a wrong twitch could lead to death tends to get me. I'm fairly certain right now that 50 is my route.

[Thom02099]

2gypsies wrote:
Even I-70 has extremely steep grades from Denver west. I'd recommend I-25 to CO 50 to Grand Junction. You'll have Monarch Pass which is a steep downhill but it's not narrow and it's over with fast. 🙂 Absolutely gorgeous drive and lots to stop for along the way.

You could also take NM 550 just north of Albuquerque to NM 64 to AZ160 or at Shiprock, NM pick up 491 north to Cortez then 491 to UT 191 north.

These suggestions. Monarch Pass is not a difficult pass by Colorado standards, as there's climb lanes going westbound. There's no steep drop offs, no lack of guard rails either.

A fear of heights is not to be marginalized. Kudos to you for taking ownership of your fear and still looking for ways to travel while minimizing any risk. I think that, if you follow 2gypsies suggestion, you'll look back on it and say "that wasn't so bad after all".

[ppine]

There are several ways to cross the Sierra on pavement. Probably the worst road is over Ebetts Pass which is not recommended for trucks. It has standards from about 1955 with tight curves, dropoffs and no guardrails. It can be a serious road in a small car. Last year I met two large turcks pulling 40 foot 5ers. Then I noticed the Alaska license plates. Once you know how you can tow anywhere. Colorado is the same.

[2gypsies1]

YouTube has many videos of the popular secondary highways. Many are filmed by motorcyclists and they love those curves but you'll get an idea.

On your Globe to Show Low drive you went down Salt River Canyon... and in rain/sleet/snow!! Be proud of yourself.... that's a biggie.

[Brent_and_Gina]

paulj wrote:
Starting from Colorado Springs, you could indulge in a bit of scary driving.

Pikes Peak road has a few switch backs.

And just off of US50 near Cañon City is the Royal Gorge Bridge, one of the world's highest suspension bridges (some 900 ft above the Arkansas River).

I suspect that the rest of main highway driving in Colorado will be tame in comparison, and tame compared to the Salt River crossing on US60 in Arizona.

And you don't need to take US550 south of US50 to Durango.

Once in Moab, you are going to miss out on a lot of sights if you avoid edges and big drop offs.

Lol. Indulge in purposeful scary driving, eh? We plan on seeing lots of good stuff. Moab is the first stop after the friends house. Southwest from there to continue more national parks and stuff. Trip is getting planned now. We tend to base in an area and drive the truck to the sites and that may certainly include some of the sights you mention. They're a bit more tame in the truck for me. I've looked at the roads in Google for many areas. They look quite good for what I've seen on 50. We've hit the edges of Colorado, but when you think of a state with mountain driving, Colorado is tops so better to do the research and prepare. This is part of that and I'm thankful for you guys.