Community Forums

montyhp · 06-30-2016, 04:47 PM

Currently in the Bay area. Will leave Sacramento next week and want to head to southern colorado (Pagosa/Durango area). Have looked at google maps and see that I can take I-80 to Salt Lake or US-50 through Ely. I think the US-50 route will save me some time. How is the road? Is I-80 a much better route?

rgvtexan · 06-30-2016, 05:45 PM

It's been a while since I was across the entire route. The section I was on were in good shape. US 50 is less than 50 miles shorter, you will make up far more time on I 80.
US 50 is often called the "Loneliest Road in America". I like US 50 for the escape of the interstates.

https://us.search.yahoo.com/yhs/sear...oad+in+America

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_50_in_Nevada

twogypsies · 06-30-2016, 07:22 PM

US 50 is an excellent highway. It's two-lane but very little traffic so you can make good time. Drive on the top half of your fuel tank. We'd take 50 over I-80 any day.

From Great Basin Nat'l Park, NV you would have a couple choices depending what you wanted to see.

1) Pick up 21 to I-15 south a short distance and then Hwy 20 to Hwy 89 south to Panguitch. Then take Hwy 12 east to Bryce Nat'l Park. Continue east on 12 to Torrey, UT and Capitol Reef Nat'l Park. Then 24 north to I-70 to Hwy 191 and Arches and Canyonlands Nat'l Parks. Continue south on 191 to Monticello, UT and pick up Hwy 491 to Cortez and Mesa Verde Nat'l Park. Continue east on CO 160 to Durango and Pagosa Springs.

2) From Great Basin Nat'l Park, NV weave over to I-70 east to 191 and Arches NP, etc. and same as above.

Have a great trip.

rgvtexan · 06-30-2016, 07:29 PM

Or, You could continue on I 70 to Grand Junction pick up US 50 and head south to Ouray. Go across the "Million Dollar Highway" to Silverton, and then to Durango.

This and via Moab are both GREAT trips. There is so much to see and do in that part of the US.

Enjoy the trip!

twogypsies · 06-30-2016, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgvtexan

Or, You could continue on I 70 to Grand Junction pick up US 50 and head south to Ouray. Go across the "Million Dollar Highway" to Silverton, and then to Durango.

This and via Moab are both GREAT trips. There is so much to see and do in that part of the US.

Enjoy the trip!

Yes, I was going to suggest Ouray to Durango on 550 but there seems so much opposition to it. We love that drive.

Busskipper · 06-30-2016, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montyhp

Currently in the Bay area. Will leave Sacramento next week and want to head to southern colorado (Pagosa/Durango area). Have looked at google maps and see that I can take I-80 to Salt Lake or US-50 through Ely. I think the US-50 route will save me some time. How is the road? Is I-80 a much better route?

No question Rt 50 - then put Hanksville in as a way point will take you through Capital Reef and the drive across Lake Powell, if you take a little time, will never be forgotten. Then Rt 491 to Telluride of Cortez, catching Trout Lake on the way. Beautiful drive, with so many more things to see and do along the way.

Let us Know what you decide.

BOL,

Busskipper · 06-30-2016, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Yes, I was going to suggest Ouray to Durango on 550 but there seems so much opposition to it. We love that drive.

Well at least to Silverton, I have never really been able to find that much to enjoy in Durango after being in the San Juan's. .

.

Ouray - Telluride - Silverton - Lake City 4x4 trails to die for, I have never wanted to leave once I get into those Mountains.

. .

montyhp · 07-02-2016, 10:08 AM

Thank you to everyone for the great info.

I guess we are going to try US 50 to Ely the first night out. We do like Durango for the "night life" (more so than some of the alternatives). We did promise to visit friends in the Albuquerque area so a stop there one night is a must.

Safe Travels

twogypsies · 07-02-2016, 01:33 PM

From Pagosa take 84 south. Pretty drive. Abiquiu Corp of Engineers park is nice.

38Chevy454 · 07-06-2016, 01:59 PM

Hwy 50 across NV is not really faster than I-80, but is a nice change of scenery and you go through some neat small towns on Hwy 50. Basically flat and straight as far as you can see between the small towns which are located at the bases of the north-south mountain ranges. All of the small towns are old mining towns, why they are located at base of the mountains. Don't be afraid of the mountains, nice gentle curves and no bad grades. Try the less traveled route instead of the interstate.

A funny story, one of my friends got a speeding ticket in his car on "The Loneliest Hwy", kind of a funny joke since there is not much people out there.

mlh2013 · 07-27-2016, 08:06 PM

Are the roads you listed in option 1 good travel roads in a 38' mh? We would like to take this route in Sept.

montyhp · 07-27-2016, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlh2013

Are the roads you listed in option 1 good travel roads in a 38' mh? We would like to take this route in Sept.

We went US50 across northern Nevada a few weeks ago. Not bad in our DP, but we did have to manage some overheating. (Since then I have had the radiators steam cleaned by Cat so hopefully that solves the issue). It is really cool scenery and we stayed a night at a casino in Ely NV that was a pretty good place to stay.