Million Dollar Highway

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Your Guide to the Million Dollar Highway

The Million Dollar Highway is one of the most scenic roads in Colorado and it’s absolutely breathtaking! I’ve put together a guide to help answer all of your questions about the Million Dollar Highway and help you plan the perfect little roadtrip!

Where is the Million Dollar Highway?
Why is it called the Million Dollar Highway?
What is the history behind the Million Dollar Highway?
Is it scary to drive?
Is it better to drive North or South?
When is the best time of the year to drive the Million Dollar Highway?
How long does it take to drive the Million Dollar Highway?
Best overlooks along the Million Dollar Highway
Things to do along the Million Dollar Highway
Other Attractions in the Area

Where is the Million Dollar Highway?

When people talk about the Million Dollar Highway, they’re typically referring to the 25 miles between Ouray and Silverton along US Route 550. The Million Dollar Highway is only a small section of the San Juan Skyway, a beautiful Colorado route through the San Juan Mountains.

Why is it called the Million Dollar Highway?

Well there’s actually a bit of a debate on where the name “Million Dollar Highway” originated. Some people say it’s called the Million Dollar Highway because it cost a million dollars to build. Other people say it’s called the Million Dollar Highway because of all of the gold and silver that was once mined in the area. I say it’s called the Million Dollar Highway for those million dollar views, but that’s just me.

What is the history behind the Million Dollar Highway?

I’m not a big history buff but for some reason the history behind the Million Dollar Highway interested me. I’m going to shorten everything for you and give you the basics. Mining was booming in the 1880’s and the town of Ouray needed to find a way to get to the mines to help their own town flourish. So Ouray officials hired Otto Mears to build a road from Ouray to Ironton. By the fall of 1883, the road was complete. It was basically a one way dirt road with snow tunnels and large wooden bridges wrapping around the cliffside of the mountains.

Once the road from Ouray to Ironton was complete, Otto Mears offered to continue the road on from Ironton to Silverton. Silverton officials agreed to Otto Mears offer, paying him for the road and allowing him to collect tolls for anyone who traveled along the route. Otto Mears was making bank on this road y’all!

Eventually the road received some major updates from 1921-1924 to accomodate for automobiles and became the road we know it today (paved with 2 lanes and no more toll fees).

Is it scary to drive?

There are a lot of switchbacks and tight curves along the Million Dollar Highway, which can definitely make people feel uncomfortable. But after our drive, I’m happy to tell you that “no, it’s not scary to drive the Million Dollar Highway”.

Since I’m not used to driving in the mountains, I definitely didn’t taking the turns as fast as the locals. The locals could go pretty fast but there were plenty of areas to pull off and let those cars pass me. Go a speed that feels comfortable for you and don’t get stressed about the others cars, just be polite and pull off to the side for them. To clarify, the majority of the time I was going the speed limit (it’s not like I was going 5 mph). There were only a few times I slowed down a little slower than the speed limit and I just didn’t stress about it. There are plenty of areas for you to pull off so it’s really not a big deal.

Another reason people get nervous driving the Million Dollar Highway is due to the fact that there aren’t any guard rails along the route. I didn’t really notice the lack of guard rails too much. Honestly I was so focused on the road that I didn’t have time to stare off the side very much. I’m certain there were some impressive cliffs along the side but again I was focused on the next curve and didn’t stress about the heights too much.

Crystal Lake along the Million Dollar Highway — Crystal Lake

Is it better to drive North or South?

Honestly, just go the direction that works for your itinerary. I wouldn’t plan a trip around driving a certain direction. We drove south from Ouray heading towards Durango because that’s what worked for our trip itinerary. The one thing I did enjoy about driving the route from Ouray to Durango is that the majority of the viewpoints were on my side of the road, so it was really easy to pull off for those Instagram photos.

When is the best time of the year to drive the Million Dollar Highway?

The best time to visit the Million Dollar Highway is anytime between May and October. The early-summer months will have plenty of snow melting, leading to some pretty epic waterfall views. As summer continues, there will be plenty of greenery and wild flowers along the route. Fall typically hits mid-September and the changing leaves will last for about 3 weeks. I just love fall colors!! Mid-October is typically when the first snow fall hits and well let’s just say this isn’t a route I want to drive in the snow. The Million Dollar Highway is said to have 70 avalanche paths throughout it’s route, that’s way too much snow for me.

How long does it take to drive the Million Dollar Highway?

Well according to Google Maps, it only takes 43 minutes to drive from Ouray to Silverton. However, who seriously isn’t going to stop to check out some of the views along the way! We spent an entire day enjoying the drive from Ouray to Durango. There are plenty of great viewpoints and places to stop along the route.

Wiesbaden Vapor Caves and hot springs in Ouray — Wiesbaden Vapor Caves in Ouray

Best Overlooks along the Million Dollar Highway:

Switzerland of America Lookout Point
Bear Creek Falls & Uncompahgre Gorge Overlook (same pull off)
Crystal Lake
Red Mountain Overlook
Molas Lake (Between Silverton and Durango, not technically on the Million Dollar Highway)

Things to do along the Million Dollar Highway:

Enjoy a cup of coffee at Mouse’s Chocolates & Coffee in Ouray
Hike the 0.2 mile route out to Cascade Falls in Ouray
Hike the 500 ft Falls Trail into Box Canyon for $5 to view the rushing water
Spend the rest of your morning enjoying the vapor caves and hot springs at Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa in Ouray (only $25 for 2 hours, definitely a highlight of our trip)
Grab a bite to eat before heading out of town, I’d recommend either Ouray Brewery or Gold Belt Bar & Grill
Enjoy the overlooks along the route from Ouray to Silverton: Swizterland of the America Lookout Point, Bear Creek Falls & Uncompahgre Gorge Overlook, Crystal Lake, and Red Mountain Overlook.
Enjoy the afternoon walking around downtown Silverton. If you’ve never been on a mining tour before, I recommend checking out The Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour in Silverton, no reservations required.
If you need some more caffeine before continuing on your journey, then check out Coffee Bear in Silverton. If your starting to get hungry again, then stop by Handlebars Food & Saloon next door to Coffee Bear.
Continue on your journey towards Durango and stop by Molas Lake to stretch your legs. I just loved Molas Lake! It reminded me of the 4 Lakes Hike we did in Engelberg, Switzerland. If you’re looking to do some camping along the Million Dollar Highway, this would be the spot!!