Driving from Texas to Colorado, need SUV or will our old Nissan Altima do? (Denver: car rental, rental)

[Luv2407]

Hello everyone.

Looking for a budget friendly vacation this July and would love to take a road trip from Dallas, Texas to Colorado for a quiet, scenic getaway with the husband.
Before I even start poking around forums to decide on a location, I wanted to ask for your opinion whether a drive to and through mountainous Colorado will require us to rent an SUV or are the roads friendly enough to our little Nissan Altima? Have no clue what kind of road conditions to expect. Pardon my ignorance and I appreciate your input!

[jim9251]

What part of Colorado? Your Nissan will be just fine. I HIGHLY recommend Ouray County.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Interstate 70 goes through the middle of the state. Will take you from Denver through some gorgeous scenery. Interstates are pretty easy for any type of vehicle, they are that way on purpose. Truckers cross the county on interstate highways. You'll probably find that your car may have trouble climbing up some of the long hills, but other than that you'll have no problem.

Even the minor highways are going to be ok in a regular car. Do you know where in Colorado you'll be going?

[ryanek9freak]

Yea, um, we have paved roads just like everyone else. What exactly do you picture when thinking of Colorado? lol. All kidding aside, there isn't anywhere in this entire state that I couldn't go with my Honda Civic, save for rock crawling trails, provided it's not winter and the passes aren't closed due to snow.

You're coming in the summer, it won't be an issue.

[wanneroo]

July is the hottest month of the year and although I have been lightly snowed on in very high elevations in that month, it's not an issue. It will be warm and in the 70's and 80's in almost all mountain areas and 90's plus on flat land or desert.

The Altima is fine as long as you stay on all of the paved highways.

[RememberMee]

Most of the route from Dallas to let's say Denver is more or less flat (US-287 would be the most practical route I suppose), Eastern Colorado is more or less flat and roads are fairly straight, even western part of I-70 in Colorado will be quite engine friendly (except a few steep upgrades). Twist and turns is another matter. If you seriously want to get dizzy from all those road curves and twists try western 2/3 rds of US-50, you'll remember your trip I guarantee. I don't believe an SUV is the best vehicle to navigate twisty roads. On the other hand I wouldn't risk a family car on Colorado trip either. Is no mile limit car rental a thing of the past?

[Dogmama50]

There is no problem navigating Colorado in a Altima. There are even some unpaved road that are fine in a regular car in the summer like the one that goes between Paonia and Crested Butte. Let us know what you're in the mood for vacation wise and we can help with ideas.

[ryanek9freak]

I've gone over Engineer Pass in a Subaru in the middle of winter. It really isn't that bad. Sometimes though, it can be, Certain passes, like Cottonwood, are closed during the winter.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

I've gone over Engineer Pass in a Subaru in the middle of winter. It really isn't that bad. Sometimes though, it can be, Certain passes, like Cottonwood, are closed during the winter.

You apparently haven't been over it for a few years. Engineer Pass itself isn't bad, but the portion down from Mineral Point to US550 has deteriorated to the point that it's now pretty tough in anything but a 'bobtail" 4WD with an experienced driver. A friend of mine took his 4WD pickup over Engineer 2 weeks ago and that lower portion took him over 2 hours to negotiate--and he has 40 years of 4-wheeling experience in the San Juans.

[bluescreen73]

If my little Honda Fit with an engine the size of a shoe box can make it to the top of Pikes Peak without any complaints, your Altima will be just fine.

287 is the most direct route, I-35-135-70 is the fastest, and 287-87-I-25 is the most scenic.