Best Route and advice on May travel

Question

We are heading to southwest Colorado mid May. What is the best route to Telluride from Denver and then from Telluride to Durango, knowing the driver doesn't like heights.

Answer

Traveling to Telluride and then on to Durango in mid-May requires careful planning, especially if the driver prefers to avoid high-altitude roads with steep drop-offs. Early-to-mid May can still have snow at higher elevations, so road conditions may also influence your route choice.

Denver to Telluride

The most scenic routes to Telluride often involve mountainous roads, but for a driver who is uncomfortable with heights, the safest and most manageable route is to favor major highways and avoid narrow or cliffside roads whenever possible.

Option 1: I-70 West to US-550 South via Montrose – This is generally the easiest route for someone avoiding extreme heights:
- Take I-70 west from Denver through the mountains (Vail, Glenwood Springs). This part includes some elevation but is a major highway with guardrails and wider lanes.
- Continue to US-50 west toward Montrose. This is a lower-elevation route and avoids the steep switchbacks of smaller mountain roads.
- From Montrose, take CO-145 south to Telluride. This is the main access road to the town, with some mountain driving but generally considered safer and less vertigo-inducing than alternative passes.
Option 2: I-70 West to US-160 West (less mountainous) – This route is slightly longer in mileage but stays on more moderate elevations:
- Take I-70 west toward Grand Junction.
- From Grand Junction, head south on US-50 to US-160 west near Durango, then north on CO-145 to Telluride.
- This keeps you mostly on larger roads and avoids some of the steeper scenic mountain passes near Ouray or the Million Dollar Highway.

Telluride to Durango

The most direct route is via CO-145 north to US-160 east to Durango.
- This route avoids the high-risk, cliffside sections of the Million Dollar Highway (US-550 between Ouray and Silverton) entirely.
- It passes through Norwood and Cortez and then into Durango via more gradual elevations.
If the driver is comfortable with a bit more scenic driving and wants to see the famous Million Dollar Highway, it is possible to take US-550 north from Ouray to Silverton, but this includes steep cliffs, switchbacks, and narrow roads, which may not be suitable for your driver.

Tips for May Travel

Check the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) website for road conditions, closures, and construction updates. Snow or late-season closures can occur, especially over higher passes.
Plan for daylight driving only; mountain roads can be more challenging at night.
Make sure your rental car has good tires and is prepared for possible snow or wet conditions, particularly at elevations above 8,000 feet.
Consider allowing extra travel time—mountain driving can take longer than GPS estimates due to curves, elevation changes, and possible weather delays.

In summary, the recommended route for someone avoiding heights is: Denver → I-70 west → US-50/US-550 to Montrose → CO-145 south to Telluride, and then Telluride → CO-145 north → US-160 east → Durango. This avoids the most intimidating cliffside roads while still providing a scenic and enjoyable drive through southwest Colorado.