I need to drive out of Grand Junction without any mountain driving to New Mexico, heading to NY (Craig: how much)

[sunheeNYC]

I dont care how long out of the way im going, I have fear of heights and was driving to Grand Junction and had to get off the exit because of the traffic and mountain on Palisades. I need to get to NY, but was wondering which is the best route for me and my sister to go to new mexico and then the southern route to New York. She found the highway 50 to co 141 south, to Gateway. Please let me know as I will be here for 2 more days only, and I so appreciate any responses or help! The flattest land route possible, I cant handle drop offs, no guard rails, and high mountains, i can handle some mountains. Thank you!

[bluescreen73]

Take I-70 East to CO-13 in Rifle. Take 13 north into Wyoming and get on I-80 at Creston Junction. Take I-80 east over the Laramie Mountains between Laramie and Cheyenne. No drop offs, just a big hill.

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

Take I-70 East to CO-13 in Rifle. Take 13 north into Wyoming and get on I-80 at Creston Junction. Take I-80 east over the Laramie Mountains between Laramie and Cheyenne. No drop offs, just a big hill.

Agreed! Meeker is a little over 40 miles from Rifle, Craig another 50 miles or so. When you get to the Wyoming line, the state route changes to hwy. 789. The elevation of Craig is 6174 ft. so you do climb a tad but it's an easy drive, not a lot of traffic, especially between Meeker and Craig. Watch out for deer, though.

[NW Crow]

If you are trying to go to NM then NY the best route depends some on where in NM you are going and mostly on a judgment call about how much mountain or canyon driving you can handle.

If it is Albuquerque and / or Santa Fe, one route is highway 50 to CO 141 south almost to Dove Creek as your sister suggested and then 491 to Gallup then I-40 east. BUT if Palisade area bugged you, you probably will be bothered by the Unaweep canyon and Dolores River stretches of 141 too (maybe 75-100 miles worth).

An alternative is I-70 west to Crescent Junction then 191 to Monticello then 491 to Gallup then I-40 East. Very brief drive thru cliffs near Moab but mostly gentle though remote. Gas up in Moab or Monticello and Cortez as there are few services in the rural areas. (Try to always keep at least half a tank full. Even if it means an extra stop or two, it is good precaution.)

The WY route suggested above (perhaps not catching the NM stopover) is a third very long alternative. You might not like the first 150 miles that much. Less stressful after that but a long round about way to NM from I-80 down I-25.

50 East to 285 South is another option. A tiny bit of not so difficult or scary imo mountain driving after Gunnison but this may be the best option. It is also the shortest.

See also the first two "similar threads" on this page below.

If you are headed elsewhere in NM, state where.

From NM take I-40 to either I-44 in OKC or I-65 in Nashville then up I-70 to at least Columbus OH. You sort it out from there.