Hello everyone
My husband and I are planning a trip for next fall to the Grand Canyon and Colorado. Is the ride from the Grand Canyon to Durango do-able in one day? We've never been to that area and I've been reading a lot of posts that warn against driving too far in one day.

According to Mapquest that would be 319 miles and a driving time of 6 hours 22 minutes. Paul

You're skipping Zion and Bryce?

Anyway, my husband and I drove 300+ miles on one day in the Southwest and it was totally exhausting. It took a long time because sometimes you're going up, around and down mountains. And then there is so much beauty to see!

How about if you break it up into two days and maybe spend time at Mesa Verde...

If you need a place at the GC, Cameron's Trading Post about a half-hour from the eastern gate is delightful.

Thanks! That's what I was concerned about. I know mountain traveling is slower and I don't want to miss a thing or be driving unfamiliar roads in the dark. I been reading other posts on Mesa Verde and I think my husband would really like that. Thanks for the tip

There's really not much in the way of mountain driving between the Grand Canyon and Durango, but these are back roads and you won't be able to go interstate highway speeds.

If you want to explore Mesa Verde, then you might consider staying in Cortez, CO which is 270 miles from the Grand Canyon Village and about 5 1/2 hour drive or staying in Mesa Verde which is almost 300 miles and about 6 hours driving time.

Mesa Verde deserves a whole day or more to see it and there's no way you could see much if you were just stopping on the way to Durango.

Utahtea

Thanks Utahtea
I think Mesa Verde is definately in our plan. We also want to stop at the four corners monument and do the "tourist" thing.

4 Corners is definitely a "tourist" thing. The Indians charge an admittance fee and then they have all kinds of booths to sell you stuff.

Utahtea