Driving from Denver to Durango-Telluride area in OCT 2016 - Weather to expect? (how much)

[Nancygibson]

We are planning a trip the middle of October 2016. I was wondering what the weather was going to be like. Driving from Denver to Durango telluride area. What would be the best place to stay in between. Do we Need to reserve our rooms in advance.

[NW Crow]

Last year coming into the third week of October it was in mid-70s for highs in SW CO. Then it dropped 10 degrees. Then a few days later it dropped another 10 and that was the end of warm temps. If you want warmer, come in first or second week. If you want peak fall colors then maybe the third week. Snow is possible, moreso every week later.

Denver to Durango you have at least 3 main routes, more really. What do you want? Fancy resorts? Small towns? Some of both? Give people more info on what you want and how much time you are taking and you might get better answers. Also see similar threads about driving tours. There are several or many that could give you plenty to consider.

Some prime spots you probably should make reservations, especially on weekends. If you prefer freedom and aren't picky about rooms or price, you can probably wing it. A lot depends when you are looking. 3pm you probably have choices. 7-9 pm it may get tight. Some weekends every room in town may be full or you have to pay luxury prices for something basic cause they can get it. It happens both places but especially in Telluride.

Also, be advised that Durango and Telluride are about 125 road miles apart and will probably take about 2.5 - 3 hours driving from one to the other. Gas up at either end.

[Robert5]

Avoid the mountains between ouray and silverton and you should have no problems. Travel fairplay to salida to sauaguche to nel norte to durango to cortez to telluride to montrose, then depending upon weather and time you can drive back to denver through either gunnison or grand junction or aspen. You should have no problem driving denver to durango in one day.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by Nancygibson

We are planning a trip the middle of October 2016. I was wondering what the weather was going to be like. Driving from Denver to Durango telluride area. What would be the best place to stay in between. Do we Need to reserve our rooms in advance.

Sunny and warm or a blizzard or somewhere in between. Check the weather the week before the trip, then check it again every day leading up to the drive.

Asking 10 months in advance what the weather will be like in October in the mountains is similar to asking what the winning Powerball numbers will be next week.

[jim9251]

It could be sunny and nice or a blizzard. Who knows? Heck it's hard to figure out what the weather is going to do tomorrow here. Check here before you travel - Road Conditions, Speeds, Travel Times, Traffic Cameras, Live Streaming Traffic Cameras, Road Closures and Road Work Information provided by Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) a branch of Colorado Department of Transportation