Will be traveling from Moab UT to Pueblo CO in near future.
Would welcome comments on the "northern" route using I-70 versus the "southern" route using US 160.
The I-70 route is longer but faster, but not a huge difference.
Which is more scenic?
Anything in the " I don't know what I don't know" that would affect which route to choose?
Thanks
US-160 passes very close to the Great Sand Dunes national park; if you have a bit of time to explore it that alone would make me choose US-160. There's also Mesa Verde on the way, but that's not a quick visit at all.
And Durango is a lovely town to stop for lunch.
I might opt for US 50, which is basically I-70 to Grand Junction, then southeast through Montrose, Gunnison, over Monarch Pass to Salida, Canon City to Pueblo.
I agree with Sam. Hwy 50 is one of my favorites and it's one of the most scenic routes in CO. Are you trying to do this drive in one day? or multiple days? Also depends on when. You said near future but that's vague. Only asking because if you're talking about after late October you have to take into account possible early winter weather especially over passes. Monarch Pass on Hwy 50 can be treacherous in winter weather.
US 50 has closures on bridge at Blue Mesa reservoir.
Best scenic way is Moab to Grand Junction via the Colorado River route, not straight up to I70. Then south to Durango and east through Pagosa Sprongs, Wolf Creek pass, Alamosa and out to Walsenburg.
I don't think you want to do it in one day. It is a long drive. But if you have not seen Colorado, you will see it this way.
170 across to Denver and S on 125 is fastest but will still take you 9 hours.
I recently did Silverton to Denver that way and there was no traffic.
US 50 has closures on bridge at Blue Mesa reservoir.
It looks like most of the work is done and it's open during the day (6:30am-7:00pm). Work being done overnights.
Thank you everyone for the input.
I hadn't 'discovered' the US 50 route. Some of the 'drop ins' I dd on google look like it would be a scenic drive.
Will (try) to find the CO. highway dept site and see what I can find on road projects/closures.
Travel would be doing it late next week, so winter like weather shouldn't be an issue.(?)
The Moab to Pueblo is a one day transit. ( Can't change schedule)
Won't bore you with why planning is so late, but a Doctor's treatment plans were involved.
Road information in Colorado can be found at www.cotrip.org. This is the page about US 50 bridge closures: https://www.codot.gov/projects/us50bluemesa/access
Going I-70 to I-25 is all interstate, which means that you'll be on four-lane highways versus the other routes that are all two-lane. Google Maps gives optimal times but you would need to factor in getting stuck behind slower cars/trucks on the two-lane roads. I-70 through Glenwood Canyon is the most scenic interstate in the country.
The previously suggested route on US 50 is going to be a bit longer time-wise. And it is also a two-lane road.
Thank you for the codot link.
Explains why googlemap shows the route going the "long way" on Hwy 26 for that stretch.
Traveling in a passenger car so should be eligible for the direct route.
Choices, choices .....hmmm
Thanks to everyone for your input.
Chose the US 50 routing. Spent 3 hours at Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. Well worth the time, even with not getting to our lodging in Pueblo til about 8 PM
The construction at Blue Mesa did slow things down a bit, but cars were allowed over the bridge. All the bigger vehicles had to take the detour.
Truly a scenic, enjoyable route. Only a few drivers along the way who should have taken a bus.
Went over Monarch Pass on Sept 20. Saw on the AM news today that snow is expected above 9000 ft. late today
