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I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction here. I plan on taking a trip to Grand Junction from Albuquerque. I'm not looking to sight see, I just want to get there and back in the least amount of time (without having to fly). I noticed that US550 seems to be the most direct route from Abq., but with the mountainous terrain, I can see how that might take longer than a different route might. I was thinking possibly about heading from Albuquerque, 1-25 NB to US550 to Bernalillo, US550 to 64 Bloomfield, 64 to 491 Shiprock, 491 to 191 Monticello, 191 to I-70, I-70 to Grand Junction. This route, I'm extremely familiar with, as I've taken it back and forth to Salt Lake City many times. However, it seems to be about 100 miles longer. I'm just wondering if the faster roads would make up for the longer mileage or not, or should I just head on US550 all the way? Thanks for any input.
... US550 seems to be the most direct route from Abq.,
but with the mountainous terrain, I can see how that
might take longer than a different route might.
I can't compare it to 491-to-191, but I can say that you are
right about 550 being quite mountanous. You have to wind
your way down into Silverton and then up out of that place.
It's wonderful for scenery, but not for making time as you
desire. 550 out of Ouray to Grand Jct is flat and uneventful.
I would guess that you could make it to Moab in about
the same time as it would take to get to Ouray.
Thanks for the responses. Seems like I'll be going through southeast Utah on this trip. I just feel more comfortable driving through places I'm familiar with, especially when I don't have much time to stop and smell the roses. Perhaps another time, when I'm not in such a hurry, I'll take the time to enjoy the beautiful scenery Colorado has to offer. All in all, it will probably take the same amount of time getting there, regardless of what route I take. As long as we all get there safe.
Another spectacular drive in that area is 491 north out of Cortez to 141, 141 to 50 just south of Grand Junction. The canyons are a rare treat and there was not much traffic. Stop at the Gateway Auto Museum and gander at the $3 million 1954 Olds F-88 concept car.
I looked up the Drango to Ouray section of Rt 550 in the Benchmark Road Atlas. Now I want to ride that on my old Kawasaurus KZ 1300. Looks like fun.
If you talk to the locals in Ouray they will tell you they only lose a few vehicles and people per year on that road, as in over the cliff. No guard rails as they keep the road open in winter and the snow plows need somewhere to push the snow. AKA "The Million Dollary Highway".
It is very beautiful. My wife will not drive with me anymore on that road. She absolutely freaks out, but I would drive it any chance I get.
I live west of Grand Junction and visit friend in several parts of New Mexico.
Yes, 50 to 550 through Durango and to Albuquerque is the shortest. All opinions here are correct. It is the most beautiful highway in the 4 corners states, maybe the lower 48. It is also the most dangerous in more ways than one. You do not take your eyes off the road at all. I've been over it several dozen times, but not anymore in the winter. More on that later. There is a special monument erected by the state of Colorado honoring those snowplow drivers who were killed on the job. Those avalanches pushed them off the highway, burying them. That has happened to several drivers over the years.
That stone monument is on the east side of 550 near the snowshed as you are heading north to Ouray. The monument reads, "This monument is dedicated to those who have given the supreme sacrifice in the maintenance of Red Mountain pass. The lonely vigil of the night is known only to men with courage." It also lists the three men who have been killed on the job; Robert Miller, Eddie Imel, and Terry Kishbaugh.
Last edited by DOUBLE H; 08-09-2010 at 10:09 PM..
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