We are planning a trip to that area in September and was wondering how scarry is this highway to drive and also which way is
easier, from Ouray to Durango or Durango to Ouray. We drove Trail Ridge Rd. in RMNP last year how does it compare to that?
Thanks for your help.

It's really not that bad unless you are hauling an RV. Most people recommend going north if you are.

If you are in a car or a suv the road from Ouray to Durango is just another mountain road.
I have driven it both ways and see little difference, except the descent to Ouray is a little tight in places.

Trail Ridge is a little steep in places on the east side, but nothing to compare with the Furka Pass in Switzerland.

If mountain roads bother you deeply, I suggest not driving it. But experience promotes confidence. The first time my wife drove over Wolf Creek Pass she was tense. The next time she forgot where she was and had driven to the crest before she realized she was driving over Wolf Creek. After that she never seemed to be bothered again, not even by the Gross Glockner in Austria.

PS I did not finish my thought.
After you get a couple of mountain passes under your belt, I think you will regard them as just another part of driving. To me, I 85 on the northeast side of Atlanta is more scary than any mountain pass I ever drove.
People are flying along at 95 mph weaving in and out of traffic and tailgating the vehicles in front of them.

I respect mountain roads very much; in fact, in the snow I even fear them, but
they can be managed safely if you drive carefully under normal conditions.

Janell - I have a fear of heights and am a bit of a wuss when it comes to scarry drives, but the Million Dollar highway is SO beautiful that it's worth it. We drove it last summer (Telluride, Ouray) and while there were a few times when I told DH to slow down, I was fine.

It's a fine road (and I DON'T like heights/drops). Worst for me was driving the old Loveland Pass before the tunnel was built !

Thanks so much for your responses. I feel a lot better about the road. I think my desire to see the scenary out weighs my fear of the road. I can't wait to see it.

Driving from south to north (Durango to Ouray) keeps you on the side away from the big dropoffs near Ouray. Unlike Bob Brown, I don't consider this just another mountain pass, because the cliffs do scare me when I am driving south on this road. There is nothing technically difficult about the drive; it is just the sight of vertical cliffs and no guardrails that may make you nervous. Austin is right; the scenery is worth it.

Thinking of making the drive this October, weather permiting when we stay in Durango. Would like to make the entire loop, up to Ouray, down to Telleride and then Cortz and back to Durango. Is this doable in a day, or is just too much driving? How long would it take, approximately? My husband loves to drive and I think we would enjoy it, provide we aren't in the car for 14 hours. Thanks,
KathyH

Kathy, I'm guessing that if you drove it straight through, it would take about 6 hours. You'll probably want to stop for three or more hours total. Most of the color change will be through by then, but the drive is still spectacular.

Weather shouldn't be a problem. There will be a chance of snow, but it is unlikely to stick to the road at that time of year.

Let me know if you want recommendations for activities or restaurants.

Six plus hours would make for a long day, but it sounds like the scenery makes it all worthwhile.

Our other options are taking the railroad up to Silverton, but I think I decided no on that. Or driving up to Ouray and back again, which probably would be a bit shorter than making the whole loop. And we will already have driven route 160 on our way to Durango from Mesa Verde.

Are there places to pull over on the way up to Ouray to take pictures and admire the view? To make the loop do you go all the way up to Ridgway and around?

Since you asked about restaurants, any good lunch stops in Ouray or Telleride? Also we will actually be staying for two nights outside of Hesperus. Looking for dinner recommendations. We will drive into Durango for dinner unless there is something better closer.

Thanks for any help you can give. I do have all the various guide books, but the best way to find out things is from people who have experienced the area.
KathyH

Since you're staying near Hesperus, check out the Kennebec Cafe. It's fairly expensive for dinner, but the food is good. The cuisine is nouvelle eclectic, if such a term exists. Some people around here think that the food is a little weird, but I love it. Just stay away from the broccoli raab. They're closed on Mondays. We go there many weekends for breakfast.

Go ahead and take the whole loop! You go all the way to Ridgway, then around. The drive may be more like 5-5 1/2 hours. You can cut off a little bit by turning at Dolores to go to Mancos, instead of going through Cortez. The entire loop is lovely in September. From Hesperus to Mesa Verde is only about 25 miles. I doubt you will mind going back over that part. There are frequent pullouts, and in the fall, you'll see many people pulled over and taking pictures.

If you have a 4WD vehicle, you might also want to drive up to the top of Cumberland Basin/Kennebec Pass. This is the drive up La Plata canyon, and the road to the canyon leaves from Hesperus.

I haven't eaten at restaurants in Ouray or Telluride (we just picnic), but I hear consistently good things about the Bon Ton in Ouray. There is a city park just beyond central Telluride, farther up the canyon. The park is a great place to stop for a snack or picnic, especially when the leaves are turning.

I think the main thing with the drive is to make sure the driver keeps their eyes on the road and not the scenery! Husband and I took turns so we could both enjoy the beauty of the area.

I think the ride is a little easier going south to north because more of the exposure is on the opposite side of the street. But, in either case, it's not continuous exposure in either direction. And the road is an adequate two lanes if there is no road construction. I think you should take the loop as the scenery on the western side is a little different. It's been a long time, but Rico had a couple of good restaurant stops when I was last there. Last two weeks of Sept. and first week of October are usually best for aspen viewing. You can also take a swim in the Hot Springs in Ouray if they are open. Trail Ridge Road is more above timberline than the southern route.