Planing a 2016 trip out west and need advice between 2 routes in Colorado. First option is from Cortez via Rt 145 or Rt 550 from Durango to Ouray. Either way I plan to go to Moab Ut. Prefer less traffic and hope to be there late May.

 

RT 550 (Million Dollar Hwy) would my choice. Make sure you check road conditions before you go at that time of year.

 

QC do you think that is too early in the year? Looks like you live in that area so any and all info is appreciated

 

I've ridden that loop from Durango up to Ridgeway and back to Cortez several times and late May could be spectacular. You can't go wrong with Silverton, Ouray and Telluride along the way. Mesa Verde is very cool if you have the time. If the weather looks questionable over 550 as you're approaching (assume you're riding in from SE), then maybe skip that loop and head to Moab. Then, ride it on your way back east.

Edit: Probably doesn't need mentioning, but bring your heated gear, rain gear and a full face helmet if you have it.....some pretty decent elevations here so expect diverse riding conditions between mountains and desert especially in late spring. You'll love it.

 

Still a lot of snow up there at that time of year. It will warm to hot at Durango and cold at the top. May is a transition time of year and the weather can be very unsettled.

 

You can expect there to still be snow on the ground and depending upon the time of day (ambient temp) there could be ice in the shady spots, especially the switchbacks. A lot of snow melt running on the road.
Beautiful way to go.

 

Highway 145 is nice but the Million Dollar Highway (550) from Durango to Ouray is a must. After arriving in Durango head north on 550.

Take your time heading to Ouray. The number of roads in the US this beautiful can be counted on one hand.


After passing Ouray you'll want to head west to get to Moab. North of Ouray you'll reach Ridgeway. Turn left (west) on hwy 62. Here you'll be passing the Dallas Divide.


At Naturina turn left on to Hwy 90 to Moab.

 

Durango Dave you talked me into 550. Trying to predict the weather months ahead is a waste of time but I am retired and have the option of leaving pretty much when I want to. Do you think it might be best to leave 10-14 days later? Awesome pictures, wishing I could leave now.

 

I think you should be fine leaving late May. The temp varies with altitude. In Durango overdress so you are very warm there. You'll be much cooler at the passes but the weather should be fine.
In winter Highway 550 has more avalanches than any other stretch of highway in the US. Google "the most dangerous highway in the US" and you'll find 550.


Much of the highway doesn't have guard rails. Motorcycles don't need no stinking guard rails. Even if you hit one you'd flip over it. Anyone that goes off the highway in many parts dies. In this next picture there is a car down in the river. You can't see it in this low res pic.


There are several cars at the bottom of this canyon. If you see one it has been there since the '70s or earlier. Now-a-days they haul the whole car back up. Back then they only brought up the bodies. Every once in a while they spot a car and announce they will block the highway. The news paper may say they suspect it's the guy that went missing recently but they don't know until the recovery. I don't want to scare you away from it. It's a great motorcycle road (a car roof blocks the view of the high mountains). The only issue is sometimes drivers go around blind curves on the wrong side of the road because they are scared of falling off the road. Take it easy and stop often for pictures.

 

Stop in Ridgeway and visit the Dennis Weaver Park and eat lunch at the True Grit Café. Nice ride over to Moab.