Route from Monument Valley - Cortez - Durango - Moab
 

Hi,

I'm currently planning our vacation for next year and have a few questions about the route throu Colorado.

A cabin in Monument Valley is already reserved.
After that we want to go to Moab.

Anyone some tips about a nice route between those two with 2 overnight stops.

I myself was thinking about the following:
(1) Monument Valley to Cortez with a visit to Mesa Verde. -> 150 Miles
(2) Cortez to Telluride (or area) by Durango / Silverton (550) -> 165 Miles
(3) Telluride to Moab -> 133 Miles

We don't want to drive to much per day so we can stop wherever we like to take a look.

Is there any afforable lodging in or near Telluride. Preferably under $70 a room.

All tips are welcome !

Thanks

Bert

BTW.
We are from Europe, traveling with 4.
(My wife and I, age 41, and my parents, age 67)
We're not hikers but small trips are not a problem.

If you will be in that area, don't miss Mesa Verde. It was amazing. You actually enter the park, then drive about 20 miles up into the mountains/plateaus, to see the cliff dwellings.
Also check out the Million Dollar Highway, the part from Ouray to Silverton was the most scary and thrilling ride I have ever been on, and it was snowing!!
Have fun

We will be there in june so i don't expect snow then ;-)

I have some recent threads on here about trips in SW/4 corners area.

First, for a hotel in June in Telluride, you will be hard pressed to find rooms in that price range. Sometimes The Peaks has internet specials and it is a beautiful place in Mountain Village.

http://thepeaksresort.com


Another reasonably price place in Telluride is Victorian Inn. It is nothing fancy but is clean, convenient and has a light breakfast:

http://www.tellurideinn.com/

One more: San Sophia Inn also serves breakfast.http://www.sansophia.com/

Telluride has special festivals almost every weekend during the summer and the hotel prices jump! Try going there mid week.

Telluride is not that far away from other nice little towns that won't be so expensive and busy [those festivals draw LOTS of people].

We have a favorite B&B in Moab, Cali Cochitta Inn that is wonderful: great hosts, excellent breaksfasts and lovely welcoming rooms.

http://www.moabdreaminn.com/

I will give you some links on thread that relate to what you are looking for:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34895115

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34895941

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34896285

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34895332

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34887440

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34868124

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34852993

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34824783

Sorry! That is probably way more than you wanted!! But read them when you have a chance...and feel free to email me directly if you's I can answer any other quiries you may have.

Hope this helps...
Debi

One more thing...in the higher elevations and mountain passes, there is often snow in July!

Debi

Yes. you will most likely see snow in the higher elevations but driving will not be a problem.

Thanks for all the information.

I will check it all out.

Looks like we will plan a sleepover in Ouray instead.

There's more choice in $ and $$ motels there.

We're looking forward to see it.
Been in Switserland a couple of times.
Anxious to see what the American version looks like ;-)

I just found this site...really nice drives:
http://www.swcolotravel.org/drives.html

Hope this helps...
Debi

We will drive a big part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Drive.
From Cortez to Durango to Silverton to Ouray and to Telluride.
After that we will head to Moab.