Colorado to Texas trip

Question

I'm looking for the least amount of elevation and winding roads. Would lizard head pass be the best? I will be traveling in the next couple of weeks and would like to avoid weather and do not have chains.

Answer

If you are traveling from Colorado to Texas and want to avoid high elevations, winding mountain roads, and snow, careful route planning is key—especially in late winter or early spring when some passes may still have snow. Lizard Head Pass (elevation ~10,222 ft) is scenic but relatively high, remote, and can be tricky in early spring. While it is less trafficked than some other passes, it’s not the easiest choice for avoiding elevation and curves entirely.

For a safer, lower-elevation, and less winding route, consider the following general guidance:

Stick to major highways such as I-25 south out of Denver to New Mexico. This route avoids high mountain passes for the most part and stays mostly on plains and moderate hills.
From southern Colorado, you can take US-87/I-27 toward the Texas Panhandle. These roads are lower in elevation than passes through the San Juan Mountains and the Rockies’ western side.
If you must go through southwestern Colorado (near Telluride or Durango), Lizard Head Pass can be used, but only if conditions are good—check local DOT reports for snow and road closures. In early spring, I-25/I-40 combination is safer.

Specific route options to minimize elevation and winding roads:

Option 1: Denver → Pueblo → Trinidad → Amarillo, TX via I-25 south and I-40 east. This avoids mountain passes entirely and keeps elevations mostly under 7,000 ft.
Option 2: If starting further west in Colorado (Grand Junction or Durango), consider heading south to US-160 east to Walsenburg, then I-25 south to Texas. This avoids Lizard Head Pass and other high passes in the San Juans.
Option 3: If scenic views are desired but you want moderate roads, you can drive through Pagosa Springs and along US-160, but check weather conditions—some elevation and winding curves will exist.

Tips for traveling without chains:

Check cotrip.org daily for current road conditions and chain requirements in Colorado.
Start early to avoid afternoon snow showers or slick conditions in higher elevations.
Consider a rental or personal vehicle with AWD/4WD and good winter tires if there is any chance of snow.

In summary, for minimum elevation and winding roads, bypass Lizard Head Pass if possible and stick to major highways like I-25 south and I-40 east through southern Colorado and the Texas Panhandle. Use Lizard Head only if you are coming from the southwest and roads are clear.

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