Can anyone give me advice on the route to Telluride from Wyoming/Montana? I did the same drive 15 years ago, before I developed a fear of heights. I’m trying to avoid hairpin turns, sheer drops, and cowering in the back seat while someone else drives. And yes, I KNOW that I’m going to a mountain ski town in Colorado. The fact that I live in a state whose name means ‘Mountainous’’ in Spanish is not lost on me…
Well, where are you leaving from? I would almost say your best bet is to travel to Grand Junction, either through Utah or Denver depending on where exactly you are. You will not be able to get to Telluride without at least one road running along a shear drop off, but avoiding the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the road from Moab to Colorado are doable and will eliminate some of that.
I’m coming in from the Bozeman MT area; planning on cutting through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks to Jackson and down from there (so as to avoid the greater Salt Lake City area). Last time we drove through Green River and down. but since it was so long ago, and since I wasn’t afraid of heights then, I don’t remember whether it was a nerve-wracking drive or not. Thank you so much for your help!
I recommend that you take large doses of Xanax, and take a Helocoptor, you will avoid all of the cliffs tha way. :lol😀
I’ve done the drive from Denver to Spokane (by way of Bozeman) and the drive from Denver to Telluride multiple times. The “scariest” part will be the last 45 minutes, but it is also the most breathtakingly beautiful. I don’t share your fear of heights, but I am terrified of mountain roads. I promise, you’ll be just fine. :flower Let someone else do the driving, and keep a 5th of whiskey close by. 
Have driven through Missoula and have always come back through SLC … although looking at the maps I see the temptation to bypass the SLC metro area if you’re starting out in Bozeman. However, google is saying via SLC is about 1:30 quicker with about the same milage. So, my suspicion is the US-191 (via WY) is much more windy and slow going, but haven’t ever taken it.
If it were me, I’d try and time it to entirely avoid the SLC rush hour … since that’s a long stretch from Ogden to Provo! If you do go this route, I’ve found that it’s about 20 minutes quicker to go Green River → Moab vs. Green River → Grand Junction. However, if you’re looking to stock up on food and such, Montrose is cheaper than Moab … so you might want to plan ahead if saving a few bucks is important.
The Moab route is more windy on two lanes where as GJ is pretty much a straight shot and four lanes. So, just depends re: that 20 minutes saving and whether it’s worth it for you. I almost always opt for going the Moab route, unless I’m dead tired and prefer to be on “auto-pilot” via GJ route or need to stop somewhere in GJ or Montrose. Otherwise, the Moab route isn’t too scary in terms of drop offs … only section might be Norwood Hill, but that’s over pretty quick.
My 9 credit hours of Psychology courses tells me you actually have a crippling fear of death, rather then heights. I’m obviously an expert, lol. Anyway, going through Grand Junction on to Delta, Montrose, T-Ride should be the smoothest route for those afraid of getting high.
Having done the Bozeman to Telluride drive a few times using the same route you are talking about, I’d recommend against it if time is a factor at all. It’s a beautiful drive, but it took us almost 20 hours to get to Telluride. The drive through Yellowstone always takes a lot longer than you’d think. It’s a lot quicker to head west and go through SLC. The traffic there isn’t as bad as you’re probably envisioning. Sure its worse than what you are used to in Bozeman, but overall it’s very manageable, and you aren’t in the traffic for very long. After driving in Chicago last October, I doubt I’ll be even a little worried next time through SLC.
Thank you ALL for your helpful information! I will see a doctor for psychopharmaceuticals, and get some hooch closer to departure!
Darlin’,
If you hit Ridgeway about/ just after sunset, you will not need those mind altering things. It will be dark by the time anything “scary” comes into view. Folks are plenty happy to help you get tents up with their light sources, and that’s a great way to meet your new neighbors!
Just another option. 
Auntie Hope :festivarian2 :green
+1
If it’s dark, you don’t tend to see much outside your headlights.
Bring an easily accessible source of alcohol and you might have your pick of the litter when it comes to festivarian help unpacking
Yeah, well… that was my first trip into T’ride. Made that left onto the spur road and missed it all. Made up for it every year since!
Over the many trips to Telluride I have driven both routes and would say they both work. The route thru Salt Lake City is faster and four lane but lots more traffic and hot that time of year. The route thru Wyoming is two lane with a few small towns along the way. Go one way and back the other. Also I would recommend going thru Moab to Telluride as more of a daytime drive, it’s my favorite route, but would go thru Grand Junction and Montrose if driving at night. And make sure you have a good selection of music for the drive.
While I would tend to agree with Al, I doubt this route would work for you. Going through Moab leads you to a gorgeous little pass right as you enter Colorado, but it does have quite the drop off. While I love that route, if you’re afraid of heights, it’s not the route for you.
While the Moab route has a better view, if you really have a fear of heights go thru Grand Junction. There is no avoiding that last stretch of road that takes you into Telluride but by then you have already arrived and be having way too much fun.