Hi Everyone,
I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice about the best way to get from Durango to Telluride. We have always flown into Denver but are flying into Durango Airport for the first time this year. It doesn’t look like there is any bus service to Telluride…If anyone can give us any advice about the best (most affordable) way to get to Telluride, it would be much appreciated!! Thank you!
The fastest way to Telluride from Durango is definitely 160 West to Mancos. right at the (only) light to 184 to Dolores, then right again at the stop sign onto 145, up and over Lizard Head and on to Telluride.
Tom (or others),
Just a quick question: From Durango – 145 vs 550? It looks like 145 is somewhat quicker than 550 (2:15 vs 2:40 hours on google maps).
However, do you think there is a big trade-off in terms of scenery, or are both routes sufficiently scenic? We will be traveling afternoon - departing Durango around 4 pm.
Both routes are scenic … you really can’t loose either way on this front. The terrain is a little more varied via 145 … especially the chuck from from Durango to about Dolores.
If you have an SUV you can always drop in to the Telluride side from 550 via Silverton over Ophir Pass … just remember, you do not have the right of way once you summit the pass and are heading down (look ahead to give clearance those heading up … as it’s mostly a very narrow single lane jeep trail).
One other thing to point out for the squeamish.
Highway 550 over Red Mountain pass has some pretty hairy drop-offs with narrow winding roads.
If you’re afraid of heights I would avoid going that route. :wave
Highway 550 takes you over Coal Bank Pass, Molas Pass into Silverton. Then you go over Red Mountain pass into Ouray, up to Ridgway, then over Dallas Divide and around to Telluride. I have driven both, and 160west to 184west to 145north is definitely faster and a much easier drive, considering that 550 is often filled with very slow-moving RVs and not a lot of places to pass them.