How long should I expect for driving time from Detroit to my "starting point" of Great Sand Dunes NM, Colorado?

& at no more than 55 - 60 miles per hour (for best fuel economy).

Yes, I have checked Mapquest - but also just wanted one or two people's input who know from experience.

thanks,

Sylvia

The trip is approximately 1500 miles. Most of it is on the Interstate where the speed limit is 65. In the interest of safety it would be advisable to drive at 65 mph. If you do the speed limit on the Interstate the trip should take anywhere from 23 to 25 hours actual drive time. You indicate the Great Sand Dunes is the starting point. You go through Colorado Springs on this route and you should consider spending a day in the Springs. I visited the Sand Dunes some years back. I found it to be a less than half a day visit. Unless there have been changres I don't recall too many places to stay near the NM. IT was an interesting visit.

Hi sYV,

I plugged in Detroit to Great Sand Dunes NM, CO into my Microsoft Street & Trip program that is usually pretty good. I also put in a speed limit of 60 miles per hour and it came up with 1506 miles and 26 hours. When I put in a speed of 55 miles it came up with 28 hours and 12 minutes.

Hope this helps. Where else are you going? Need any suggestions?

Utahtea

You've already been very helpful, Utahtea! You recommended me to this site from about.com.

Plans:
Hey! Where did my "saved" mapquest road trip planner go? Oh well, I have it at home - but basically here it is:

(not sure if still in right order & I know there are a few more small town stops & scenic byways but paperwork is at home)...

Barrie Ontario Canada to
Toronto to
Detroit to
Hammond IN (have to see friends there)
Indianapolis IN (have to see friends there) to
Great Sand Dunes NM (yes 1/2 day only or less - just to see it walk a bit) to
Durango
Silverton
Ouray
(jeep ride - SOA - that goes to Telluride area)
Littleton CO (have to see friends there)
Rocky Mountain NP
(stagecoach ride/cook-out)
Jackson
(maybe smooth water raft ride in this area)
Grand Tetons
Yellowstone
Beartooth Highway
Cody area
Deadwood
Jewel Cave
Crazy Horse
Mount Rushmore
Badlands

& back to Ontario!


Sound okay???


Sylvia

Hi Sylvia!

Glad you made it over here. Your route sounds great. How long do you have for this vacation?

The only thing I would suggest if you had the time was to go to Mesa Verde National Park which is 45 miles west of Durango.

Have a good trip!

Utahtea

Already been to Mesa Verde on a southern Utah/Arizona trip!

In answer to your question -

I have only 19 days to cram a lot in, I realize. I'll have to really do long days getting out there & back - so that I can spend most of the time actually in Colorado/Wyoming/South Dakota.

Sylvia

If you are in the area of Mammoth Caves National Park in Kentucky, you might stop. Personally, I prefer a stop at Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota rather than Crazy Horse or Deadwood. ( I like Jewel better than Wind Cave). On the way to Littleton from Ouray, stop for an two hours in Glenwood at the Hot Springs. Water levels are real low so a horseback ride might be better than a raft ride in Jackson. What part of Littleton? (my home)If you are along the western side, make a short 15 minute stop at Red Rocks Outdoor Amphitheater. If you have a longer time to stop(3 hours), drive up the Mt. Evans Road to the top of a 14ner ($10).

At 55MPH it is going to take you 3 days to drive from Indianapolis to the Sand Dunes and your drive from Yellowstone to Ontario without any sightseeing will take you another 3 at least. In my opinion your itinerary and visiting is too long and involved for your time period. I'm not even sure you could even just drive "to" all these places without stopping and seeing them.
I have driven from Denver to Dayton several times and hit the accelerator pretty well--it is 2 long days (1500 miles)--and the Sand Dunes are even further.

Yes, it's a long trip, but it's doable. I took a 5200 mile trip through the western USA in 17 days and had a great time - plenty of time for hiking, etc. You just have to like the person you're riding with.

Between Sand Dunes and Durango, there are at least 2 really good stops: the first is just before the summit of Wolf Creek Pass. You turn right (approximately north) onto a good gravel/dirt road up to the Big Meadows reservoir. A hike around the lake takes less than 2 hours, and is pretty level - good for people just coming up to altitude. It's a nice stop even if you don't have time to walk around the lake. The surrounding mountains are gorgeous. The head of one of the branches of the Rio Grande starts at the lake.

The other stop is the hot springs at Pagosa, especially nice if you're coming through on a cool evening. The highway passes right by the springs at the San Juan River. You can't miss the clouds of steam. This stop isn't worth it if you don't have an hour or two.

If you plan to do any hiking in Colorado, it's good to get the hiker's certificate ($5?) or a fishing license. The fee for each covers search and rescue for anyone who needs it. Durango always has a few cases each year. You're more likely to turn an ankle than have any big injury, but evacuations can be expensive because of the rugged terrain. You can pick up a certificate at sports shops and probably forest service information stations, possibly at a Colorado entrance station.

Answers to questions:

- been to Mammoth Caves, KY. Yes, I agree very nice, but won't be passing anywhere near there this time. From other postings I decided to stop at Jewel Cave rather than Wind Cave & rather than both (have seen Carlsbad and Mammoth before).

The "visiting" is usually a night arrival, shower, sleep, breakfast, & out the door. So that won't hold me up any. The people know I am "just passing through".

Re: the mileage / the timing - I've "done it before". 1) Calgary Alberta to Banff, Jasper, Kelowna BC, Salmon Arm BC, Mt Ranier, Mt St Helens, Crater Lake, Salem OR, Hwy 1, Redwoods, Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite, Sequoia, Reno, Salt Lake City, Idaho, Montana, Glacier Lake, & back to Calgary (to fly home). 2) home to Indianapolis, to Siloam Springs Arkansas to Oklahoma City to Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalope Mtns, Presidio, along Rio Grande to Big Bend, San Antonio, Ft Worth/Arlington/Dallas, Vicksburg MI, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Biloxi MI, Richmond KY, & home - April 1 - 12, 2002 (actually arrived home 1/2 day early). 3) oh you get the picture... I could go on...

Previous were wonderful trips! I've planned full day jeep tour in Ouray, two days at Yellowstone, etc. Not just drive, drive, drive. I'm sure it'll be okay. Yes - it could mean some 12-hour driving days (or more) just to get across country - but "turn the radio on" open those windows, drink water, jog around the gas station stops, (don't eat much - makes you too sleepy), & away we go.

Re: water level for rafting or horseback ride. It's not till July 2003, so I will wait & see a little longer before actually reserving anything. Horseback ride would be nice too. eenie-meenie-minee-mo...

Re: Littleton - what part. Not sure - but it will be to the Free Presbyterian Church pastor or another family from the church (depending who will "put me up" for the night) or attending church depending date of arrival.

Hope this answers everyone's questions/comments. I'll look into the extras "travellyn" mentioned between Sand Dunes & Durango.

Thanks!!!

Sylvia