Ouray Tunnel in Colorado

[AKRUEBBE]

Posted this in another thread and it may have gotten lost. Anyone ever take their 5er through the Ouray Tunnel in Colorado? It's 13' 9". I'm going to be heading from Mancos, CO to Albuquerque, NM. My GPS is taking me on US 550 where the tunnel is located. Advice please?

[Mike-NM]

I travel that area often in my Class A. Beautiful area. There are two tunnels between Ouray and Silverton while heading to Albuquerque and they have plenty of clearance. large semi trucks, Class A rigs, 5th wheels often travel through the area. Stop in Silverton and tour the place, old and historic. There is a rv park Silverton Lakes South. Pick the south park and you can be within a block of downtown and can walk and tour the place. Great food too.

http://silvertonlakes.com/ On the website scroll down and you will see a video. If you go to the 2:00 minute mark that is me playing a street xylophone with my nephew about 9 years ago. Who would have figured...

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by Mike-NM

I travel that area often in my Class A. Beautiful area. There are two tunnels between Ouray and Silverton while heading to Albuquerque and they have plenty of clearance. large semi trucks, Class A rigs, 5thwheels often travel through the area.

Thanks Mike, makes be feel better.

[Old and soft]

Quick google search listed tunnel height limitation of 13'7". Just did that drive 2 weeks ago. Frigging beautiful. Also nicknamed highway to hell or deadliest road in America. Suddenly monarch pass doesn't bother my dw amymore. 550 is one of 2 north/South highways in co west of the divide. Navajo Nation was still closed, plan stops accordingly.

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by Old and soft

Quick google search listed tunnel height limitation of 13'7". Just did that drive 2 weeks ago. Frigging beautiful. Also nicknamed highway to hell or deadliest road in America. Suddenly monarch pass doesn't bother my dw amymore. 550 is one of 2 north/South highways in co west of the divide. Navajo Nation was still closed, plan stops accordingly.

Which tunnel is 13'7"? Ouray is 13'9". My rig is 13'6". Is it really that dangerous? What is the posted speed limit? Now I'm wondering about an alternative route What would be a good alternative from Mancos, CO to Albuquerque?

[Mike-NM]

You will be fine.....good article at link below. Like I said I drive it twice a year never had an issue. Drive slow in certain areas you will know them when you see them. The video in the link below is of a truck driver driving a large rig. At 18:40 you will see the first tunnel and the driver talks about it at 26:29 minutes you will see the 2nd tunnel.

https://vanlifewanderer.com/2020/05/...ollar-highway/

[RPR]

Ouray tunnel

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by Mike-NM

You will be fine.....good article at link below. Like I said I drive it twice a year never had an issue. Drive slow in certain areas you will know them when you see them. The video in the link below is of a truck driver driving a large rig. At 18:40 you will see the first tunnel and the driver talks about it at 26:29 minutes you will see the 2nd tunnel.
https://vanlifewanderer.com/2020/05/...ollar-highway/

If I was traveling north I would feel a whole lot better! I'm just shy of 60' long total and with my DW being on the passenger side, I would probably have to sedate her

[RPR]

Use Google Earth to view street view along different sections. Once she sees how beautiful it is that may help!

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by Old and soft

Quick google search listed tunnel height limitation of 13'7". Just did that drive 2 weeks ago. Frigging beautiful. Also nicknamed highway to hell or deadliest road in America. Suddenly monarch pass doesn't bother my dw amymore. 550 is one of 2 north/South highways in co west of the divide. Navajo Nation was still closed, plan stops accordingly.

In New Mexico high speed head on collisions are deadly. Posted speed is 70. Keeping up with traffic means 90-100. It is s four lane undivided highway.

In CO it lacks guardrails often.

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

In New Mexico high speed head on collisions are deadly. Posted speed is 70. Keeping up with traffic means 90-100. It is s four lane undivided highway.In CO it lacks guardrails often.

I've already made up my mind.....................US 491 to I40. I've never had a blow out but would definitely not want one on that highway

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

Posted this in another thread and it may have gotten lost. Anyone ever take their 5er through the Ouray Tunnel in Colorado? It's 13' 9". I'm going to be heading from Mancos, CO to Albuquerque, NM. My GPS is taking me on US 550 where the tunnel is located. Advice please?

I wish, I had seen this one earlier. Ouray isn't even on 550 south towards Albuquerque. It is north of Durango, not south. If you are just trying to sightsee the "Million Dollar Highway" portion, do a day trip without the 5'er. It is only a couple of hours from Mancos. Or better yet, ride the train, just to Silverton.

[Mike-NM]

Originally Posted by madmaxmutt

I wish, I had seen this one earlier. Ouray isn't even on 550 south towards Albuquerque. It is north of Durango, not south. If you are just trying to sightsee the "Million Dollar Highway" portion, do a day trip without the 5'er. It is only a couple of hours from Mancos. Or better yet, ride the train, just to Silverton.

Good point, you are correct. I took it since he mentioned Quray that he was headed south to Mancos then on to Albuquerque since his signature states he is in Washington State.

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by Mike-NM

Good point, you are correct. I took it since he mentioned Quray that he was headed south to Mancos then on to Albuquerque since his signature states he is in Washington State.

"Formally" from Washington State. Been full time for over two years

[Blackey]

550 is having fatal accidents all the time my news is out of Abq so I avoid that road is possible it used to be like that on us54 between elpaso and Alamogordo when,it was two lanes. The road has dips all along it so you can’t see cars passing or coming head on

[TnHiker]

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

Posted this in another thread and it may have gotten lost. Anyone ever take their 5er through the Ouray Tunnel in Colorado? It's 13' 9". I'm going to be heading from Mancos, CO to Albuquerque, NM. My GPS is taking me on US 550 where the tunnel is located. Advice please?

If you are in Mancos you would take 160 to Durango then 550 south to Albuquerque and would not go through Ouray??? Happy camping and God Bless!

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by TnHiker

If you are in Mancos you would take 160 to Durango then 550 south to Albuquerque and would not go through Ouray??? Happy camping and God Bless!

550 does go through Ouray.

[madmaxmutt]

Not to get from Mancos to Albuquerque.

[TnHiker]

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

550 does go through Ouray.

You are correct 550 does go through Ouray. But, Ouray is north of Durango and Albuquerque is south of Durango. If you leave Mancos and go east on 160 you will go straight to Durango, then just head south. If you go North from Durango you will pass through Silverton then Ouray and be going straight away from Albuquerque. Hope that made sense. I just wish I was where you are and got to decide if I wanted to go to Ouray or not. I'm planning a western trip next summer and plan to stay at Mesa Verde RV Park in Mancos. While there planning day trips to Durango and a train ride to Silverton or driving the 550 all the way to Ouray. Happy Camping and God Bless!

[TnHiker]

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

550 does go through Ouray.

I would be very interested in the road conditions between Mancos and Albuquerque. What type of grades and how curvy the road is. I have never been south of Ouray. Happy Camping and God Bless!