New Years Traveling from Grand Junction to Durango

Question

Hi everyone,

I am planning a trip that will start in Grand Junction and end in Durango. This would take place during the last week of December/the first week of January. I would be going from Grand Junction to Moab, and then down to Durango. I know the 4 x 4 rental car situation is hit or miss, so I want to make sure that I can do this trip safely. Would there be any routes I could take safely without a 4 x 4 during this season?

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Planning a winter road trip from Grand Junction to Durango via Moab can be a beautiful experience, but late December and early January bring winter weather considerations, especially in Colorado and eastern Utah. With snow, ice, and occasional mountain passes, safety is key.

Here are some recommendations and considerations for making this trip safely without a 4x4 rental car:

Main Route (Grand Junction → Moab → Durango) on Paved Highways: You can follow US-191 S from Grand Junction to Moab, which is fully paved. From Moab, continue south on US-491 S or US-191 S to Monticello and then CO-145 S to Durango. These highways are generally plowed in winter and passable with a standard vehicle in normal conditions. Avoid unpaved or backcountry roads, as they can be treacherous when snow-covered.
Avoid Off-Road/4x4 Trails: Many popular scenic routes around Moab (e.g., Hell’s Revenge, White Rim, or other desert 4x4 trails) are not suitable for non-4x4 vehicles in winter. Stick to main roads and town-to-town paved highways.
Check Weather and Road Conditions Daily: Mountain passes and higher elevation areas (even near Monticello or along CO-145) can get icy or temporarily closed. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Utah DOT have real-time road and chain control updates.

Additional Tips:

Winter tires are strongly recommended. Many rental companies offer them, especially for mountainous Colorado routes.
Carry basic winter safety supplies in your vehicle: blankets, water, snacks, and a flashlight.
Consider traveling during daylight hours to avoid icy roads at night.
Allow extra travel time — late December can have snowstorms or icy patches, which slow driving.
Plan overnight stops if you want to explore Moab or Durango and avoid long winter drives in one day.

Summary: Yes, you can make this trip safely without a 4x4 as long as you stick to paved state and US highways, monitor weather and road conditions, and take standard winter driving precautions. Avoid the off-road trails and secondary unpaved roads in the Moab area, which can be dangerous without a 4x4 vehicle.