Denver to Moab
 

OK, I leave this weekend for a trip through Western Colordo and Southeastern Utah. We land in Denver and will spend the first night in Glenwood Springs. My question for Fodorites deal with my drive from Glenwood to Moab. After following I-70 I thought I might take Rt 128 to Moab. It seems shorter and has some scenery. Every driving progrtam I use (AAA, Mapquest, Route Planner, etc.) says to use Rt 191 to get to Moab. Is there a reason for this? Is Rt 128 really bad?
We will be spending 4 nights in Moab, so we could travel up 128 from Moab to catch the scenery on another day.
Please give me some information on this road if possible. Thank you.

Use 191. Rte 128 is a two lane scenic drive. We drove it for the views, but when leaving Moab, we used 191 to get to I-70.. It's quicker and is a better hiway.

Hi NB. We did a similar thing when we went to Moab two years ago. We spent a night in Glenwood Springs and then drove to Moab the next day.

If you are interested in such things, about 3 miles off of I-70, check out the Sego Canyon pictrographs. I think they are not too far from 191.

We took 191. We never drove 128, but did get to see some of the scenery on a 1/2 day raft trip, since we drove a bit up 128 to the put-in point of the rafting trip.

If you have the time by all means take route 128. It is beautiful.
Some of the road goes along the Rio Grande and you can get out and go for a wade in the creek if you so desire.

I would not go any other way unless I was really pinched for time. So if the time is right, do it. You will not forget it.

if you have the time, take the scenic route. no reason not to. 128 is a beautiful road. it follows the river and is really a treat.

Absolutely take 128. One of the best red rock drives anywhere. 191 goes through the desert country, boring, boring.

After leaving Glenwood Springs, views of the Book Cliffs on the right. Turn south at Cisco, where a scene from the movie "Thelma and Louise" was shot - the one where the girls blow up the nasty pervert's truck. A tiny collection of abandoned houses where unbelievably I got lost last year, even though 128 is clearly marked.

Also another scene at the end of the movie where T. and L. drive off the cliff into the Colorado River was shot on the white rim just below Dead Horse Point. You can't miss it.

You can drive 128 more than once and see new things.

Hi Nuggetboy,

Definitely take 128 along the COLORADO RiVER--you will love it. Takes 5-10 minutes longer than the Interstate route. Great pull-offs to get to the river and take photos of the beautiful red rocks.

As you are staying in Moab, check into having lunch or dinner(quite pricey) about 17 miles east of Moab at Sorrel River Ranch--a beautiful spot.

OOPS. It is the Colorado River. I had another senior moment. the Rio Grande flows east from the Rockies, the Colordo flows west.

I have camped in years past on the headwaters of the Rio Grande.

The Colorado originates in the Rocky Mountains and flows along the canyons to Grand Junction where it joins the Gunnison to make a fair sized stream.

Despite my picking the wrong river's name out of my decaying brain, the route is still pretty. It is a good place to start red rock canyon viewing if you did NOT detour by Colorado National Monument close to Grand Junction.

Now, I know I got that one right.

And you will, too, because your visit will be a highlight.

As everyone has told you, this drive is well worth the extra minutes. This is not a bad road, we drive on Hwy 128 in our motorhome all the time and have been since the late 1970's.

Check out this website:

http://www.byways.org/browse/byways/2013/

Utahtea

Thank you all for your help. I've discussed your suggestions with my wife and looked over the weather predictions and come up with a plan. Our travel day from Glenwood to Moab will be Saturday, if the weather is bad (thunder showers are predicted) we will take 191. If the weather is good or soso, we'll take 128. We will also do a 1/2 day raft ride from the towers and at least drive up 128 if we don't come down that way.
Thanks again. Can't wait to get out of this office!!!