Decision made....going to Durango

[dadmomh]

Ok, I've fretted long enough over this gift for DH. We are going to Durango/Silverton in June. Now....how is the best way to get there? Coming from West TN across I-40. In my planning, I've only had time to get us to OKC to see some family, now what??? We're not big on driving much more than 300 - 350 miles a day. Amarillo is not enough. Durango is too much. Is there anything mid-way?? Loots barren on the map. Ideas? Dates are confirmed. CG is confirmed. General "to dos" confirmed, but getting there the best and easiest. Help!

[MM49]

You want to stop in Ouray. Lots if things to do.
MM49

[dadmomh]

Yea, I know....you can probably watch the gauge drop like a rock. But let's not mention that. And I'd bet that the local $3.05 we have right now is nowhere close to yours. When I budget a trip, regardless of what we're paying locally, I base it on $4 a gallon....do I need to increase it?? I would always rather come in under budget than to get a nasty surprise. And I'm guessing that 10 mpg average we get even going through KY is another joke, right? Thanks for the heads-up...I think.

[Dennis_Smith]

Your comming to Colorado and your worried about the gas gauge. Hate to tell you once you get up here at elevation, 6000 feet plus and we have this thing call mountains that you will be going up all the time, buy the gas and enjoy the trip, becasue if you watch the gauge it will hurt.

[dadmomh]

Thanks for the info on the pull on I-40. I haven't had time in the last few days to do any more research on this trip since DH has been around. I'd just as soon avoid as many long pulls as poss - hate watching that gas gauge drop like a rock. Camping this weekend - yea! fall camping is here! - so only thinking time until next week. Thx again.

[Passin_Thru]

I'd take I 40 to Albuquerque and then I 25 to Bernalillo, then 550 up as 550 is all 4 lane. Gong west on I 40 in NM you have a really a hard pull up to Clines Corners and 1 up to Tijeras from Moriarity. The rest is a piece of cake. Buy fuel in ABQ as it gets higher the farther N you go. Santa Rosa and visit the Spring there. Kinda amazing being a NM boy where water was scarce. If you are worried leave early and drive while it's cool. Stop in Jemez NM. Cool Jemeze Indian town, not much there but fun to stop at.

[gmw_photos]

One of my favorite apps for the iPad is "allstays". It let's you zoom in or out on an area, and it lists all the camp possibilties. Well worth the few dollars it costs.

[dadmomh]

Any thoughts on road conditions, which one may be an easier pull - like that's gonna happen, more facilities along the way.

I do remember taking a look at Tucumcari and thinking that might be a possibility. Thanks all for the help....keep 'em coming.

[bedell]

If you are going to take US 160 from I-25 you could stay at Lathrop State Park in Walsenburg, CO. Check it out on the RV Park Reviews website.

Happy Trails and welcome to Colorado.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

There is a KOA in Tucumcari NM where we stayed. Long level pull thrus. 369 miles from OKC and 385 miles from Durango.

[PenMan]

You could stop at Santa Rosa, NM for a night. I have not camped there but my dad enjoyed that area. There are several campgrounds in that area IIRC. One more thought. If you are coming that far to ride the train in Durango I would also plan to go to Chama, NM and ride the Cumbres/Toltec train. We have ridden both and I liked the Cumbres/Toltec better but there is not much else to do in Chama. Durango has a lot more to do.