Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-04-2021, 10:34 AM   #1
Rivet Master
 
eubank's Avatar

 
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms , New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
550 vs. 145 (Durango to Ridgway)

I've driven 550 via Silverton and Ouray often enough to know that I'm not really interested in traveling that route any more, especially now that I'm a "solo traveler." And time of no particular consequence to me.

So what do you think about doing the end-around to go via Dolores and (past) Telluride to get to Ridgway? How does the route compare to 550? I lived for quite a while in western Colorado, but somehow never drove that route.


Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
eubank is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2021, 12:51 PM   #2
Site Team
 
wulfraat's Avatar

 
2017 30' International
Broomfield , Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,555
Images: 1
I've driven both towing my 30'. I really didn't find 550 all that stressful. But regardless, the round about way is a beautiful, easy drive. Make sure you stop in Telluride it's a great little town to explore!
wulfraat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2021, 03:56 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
Julie-Bob's Avatar
 
2009 25' FB Classic
Scottsdale , Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 849
Images: 2
We have done both routes. I love the 145 route over Lizards Head Pass is less stressful for me than down 550.
__________________
Bob & Julie # 5587, 4CU in AZ
Julie-Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2021, 06:19 PM   #4
Lost in America
 
mojo's Avatar
 
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
Lived in Durango for 15 years...Lizard Head Pass is less stressful than 550 between Silverton and Ouray. A liitle longer but hey, the scenery is great either way.
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison

2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017
Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel

mojo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2021, 06:29 AM   #5
Rivet Master
 
eubank's Avatar

 
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms , New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
Super duper! I think I'll do that route!

Thank you for the info!


Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
eubank is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2021, 08:32 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Mollysdad's Avatar

 
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa , Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,638
Blog Entries: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Julie-Bob View Post
We have done both routes. I love the 145 route over Lizards Head Pass is less stressful for me than down 550.
This area was my motorcycle vacation spot for years.
I agree. But, the white knuckle part of 550 is the last five miles before Ouray. The rest is pretty tame (But I wouldn't tow there.) The road is nice, but diminishing radius turns, semi-trucks coming the other way, no guardrails, and the mountain itself is darn close to leaving a mark.
I'm a flatlander, but no matter how many times I've taken 550 it still takes my breadth away.
Mollysdad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2021, 09:24 AM   #7
3 Rivet Member
 
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Mesquite , Nevada
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 171
145 from Dolores to Telluride and Ridgway is also known as the San Juan Skyway because it is beautiful, many writers name it as a top ten motorcycle road. There are several nice campgrounds on the route including Priest Gulch, Dolores River and Cayton cg all on the Dolores river.
Ken G is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2021, 09:46 AM   #8
4 Rivet Member
 
greenflag's Avatar
 
2016 30' International
Quartz Hill , California
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 356
Over Lizard Head Pass to Ridgeway has always been my preferred route.
greenflag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2021, 10:03 AM   #9
Rivet Master
 
Dennis C's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Evergreen , Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,592
I drove both about two weeks ago. They were both clear and easy, but I fully understand the desire to skip the Million Dollar Highway when pulling a trailer or driving a motor home.
__________________
Dennis

Past:
Airstream International Serenity 23FB
Newmar Ventana 3715
Dennis C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2021, 04:08 PM   #10
Rivet Master
 
eubank's Avatar

 
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms , New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
It gets worse when you travel alone, believe me. No more second set of eyes. Sure, driving just the car, I wouldn't hestitate, but just don't want the stress of 550 while driving the Interstate and towing the car.

Lynn

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis C View Post
I drove both about two weeks ago. They were both clear and easy, but I fully understand the desire to skip the Million Dollar Highway when pulling a trailer or driving a motor home.
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
eubank is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2021, 05:23 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
Dennis C's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Evergreen , Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,592
I completely understand.
__________________
Dennis

Past:
Airstream International Serenity 23FB
Newmar Ventana 3715
Dennis C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2021, 02:56 PM   #12
2 Rivet Member
 
2003 28' Classic
Stillwater , Oklahoma
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 87
Don't miss the old hanging flume that still exists in places
ttrout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2021, 06:14 PM   #13
2 Rivet Member
 
2014 22' FB Sport
Arlington , Washington
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 23
Did the entire loop 2 weeks ago. Durango to Silverton to Ooray, Ridge, Telluride to Delores and back to Durango. Should have stopped at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The train from Durango to Silverton did not run all the way until memorial day. Easy drive Telluride to Delores. White knuckle from Silverton to Ooray. I found Southern Colorado does not believe in guard rails or shoulders on these souther passes.
Proton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2021, 07:53 PM   #14
4 Rivet Member
 
1999 28' Excella
Lake Mary , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 255
Less vehicles per hour on 145. If you have tire or mechanical problems on 550 you have no shoulder so the risk factor goes way up. At the best you will cause a major traffic jam.
suncoasteng is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2021, 08:09 PM   #15
Rivet Master
 
Mollysdad's Avatar

 
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa , Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,638
Blog Entries: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by ttrout View Post
Don't miss the old hanging flume that still exists in places
We stopped at the scenic overlook, and noticed something way down by the river. In binoculars we saw it was a car, upside down. We asked locally and somebody missed the turn and did the plunge 250' to the bottom.
I can't imagine.
Mollysdad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2021, 07:35 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
Ken J's Avatar
 
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango , Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
Images: 14
Lynn - You can also go through Naturita or even Moab if you don’t want to do mountain driving
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
Ken J is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2021, 08:25 AM   #17
Rivet Master
 
eubank's Avatar

 
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms , New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
I actually thought about that, though more for the photography than for the driving.

Mountain driving per se isn't that bad; it's basically that I really dislike driving alone and towing that stretch from Silverton to Ouray.

Actually, this whole thread is a bit backwards: I'll be driving from Ridgway back towards home in NM. For the trip up there, I'm doing a major dogleg to visit a good friend in Taos (who lost his spouse shortly after I lost Maria). From there, I'll hit Gunnison and then on to Ridgway. Taking lots of time so that I have lots of time to take pics.

Lynn

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken J View Post
Lynn - You can also go through Naturita or even Moab if you don’t want to do mountain driving
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
eubank is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2021, 10:29 AM   #18
2 Rivet Member
 
2018 28' International
Mesa , Arizona
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 93
I drove 145 3 to 4 nights a week for 8 years in a semi truck. I personally prefer this route over 550. It might be a little slower, but it is a really nice change. I hope you try it. Enjoy a different scenery. Safe travels.
kdfulsome54 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2021, 09:19 PM   #19
3 Rivet Member
 
Middletown , Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 159
We've done a lot of driving in the Rockies and Sierras, but that stretch of 550 is insane. I'm surprised it's a US highway. I don't mind no guardrails, hairpin turns and steep drop-offs but 550 will definitely get your attention.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is the beautiful scenery on 62 between Placerville and Ridgeway. It is spectacular!
sajohnson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2021, 11:37 PM   #20
Rivet Master
 
InsideOut's Avatar

 
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen , Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
Images: 108
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken G View Post
145 from Dolores to Telluride and Ridgway is also known as the San Juan Skyway because it is beautiful, many writers name it as a top ten motorcycle road.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken J View Post
Lynn - You can also go through Naturita or even Moab if you don’t want to do mountain driving
Quote:
Originally Posted by eubank View Post
I actually thought about that, though more for the photography than for the driving.
I just rode my motorcycle these routes last week....both are gorgeous! I kept thinking "I gotta find a place to bring the Airstream & stay awhile"...just not in the heat! Enjoy the drive or ride!

Couple of years ago I rode the Million Dollar Highway...that was a scary ride! Also an attention-getter towing...definitely a more relaxing trip through Delores/Placerville or Naturita/Moab LOTS of photo ops!

Shari
__________________
Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002

RMVAC | ACI - CO Unit (Formerly WBCCI) | BIRDY - our 1956 Safari | 1964 Serro Scotty
InsideOut is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Hwys 50/550 Grand Junction to Durango? smsasf On The Road... 40 10-25-2020 11:27 AM
Ridgway State Park, CO, Fall 2015 Two Chicks On The Road... 38 02-03-2016 01:52 PM
2013 Ford F-150 5.0L XLT *6400 miles* 4X4 SuperCrew 4D 145"WB jkinglet Airstream Classifieds 0 04-20-2014 05:45 PM
Wow!!! BUY IT NOW $145,000 toastie Vintage Kin 33 03-11-2012 04:45 PM
US 550 Durango to Montrose dscluchfc On The Road... 21 07-25-2011 04:21 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:56 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.