Steep Grades Colorado Springs to Moab

Use I-25 to I-70 unless you want to drop all the way down to Bernalillo, NM and take 550 up to Moab from the south.

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.

Quick get a copy of Mountain Directory West to help route planning. I avoid any road marked `scenic' on the maps when towing.

You also need a truckers atlas that shows 18-wheeler approved routes.

CO115 to US50 to I70 at Grand Junction

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.

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.

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TRUE ^^^^^^ I AGREE ^^^^^ TRUE

BUT if you are an I's Guy this might be your Route - I's Route on Bing Maps - It too is a Beautiful Drive just a lot more traffic, just on wide Interstate Spec'd roads. It seems that you are Most concerned about the ROADS soooo and I-70 will take you Through Breck and Vail, then Glenwood Springs which has one of the most beautiful sections of Interstate Road in the Country.

Timing is critical on the I's route - Big City with Big Rush Hour - And many people use the I-70 to get to their mountain Property and so the traffic is often Heavy during peak times on the weekend.

I would normally give you a long list of places to go - to slide off and visit - But - will avoid that list of temptations with you. Work on your Fear - you are in the Rockies on occasion you will need to go on a road that is Narrow - without a Guard rail and is high on the side of a Mountain. That's a big part of the Beauty out here.

I suspect that the Sides of the Vehicles you drive are not all scratched up from rubbing the Guard Rails of the roads You DO Drive - SO I'm pretty sure You Can Do IT!

Any how you have the two easiest routes just Choose between them and Enjoy the trip, Colorado is a Beautiful State - and in Late September the Aspen Change and You will Really Need/Want to get close to them.

Aspen in September

Last note here - Keep an Ear open on the weather - It snows in every Month of the Year in Colorado if it does Snow just find a spot and wait it out - it is usually all gone by Noon.

Best of Luck and Enjoy Colorado,

Dick_B wrote:
Quick get a copy of Mountain Directory West to help route planning.

This is a must have for all RV owners

Mountain Directory

Thanks so much folks! I have already bought and downloaded the Mountain Directory West & East Combo, just now, thanks to the inputs. Might as well. We like to travel all over and it's not that much. I appreciate all of the inputs!

On our way back from Phoenix, I asked a fellow RVer the least steep way to get back to 40E. They suggested Globe to Show Low on 60, then to Holbrook. It was raining till I got to the switchbacks with high winds and scattered snow/sleet. With the grades, being dark, and not being able to turn around anywhere by that point, I was in a state let me tell you. Luckily the truck didn't get too hot and there was zero traffic (smarter people) so I could ride in the middle of both lanes. If I could find that person again, let me tell you, there'd be words! Had a small panic attack going across the confederation bridge a few years back too. Best thing about that was the road construction in the middle of the dang bridge where it went to one lane and we had to stop and wait. You know on that bridge that there are wind warnings right. Lol. Yellowstone to Cody wasn't great either. I wish I didn't have this fear, but I own it and I do realize it's hard for some to understand. One thing is for sure. You guys are great and I appreciate it.

If you are going through the mountains, you need to learn how to drive in the mountains.