Route Suggestions from NC to San Juan Mountains of Colorado

[travelchief60]

This summer we'll be heading from NC to the Telluride area of SW Colorado. We're relatively new to RV'ing, having camped along the beaches and in the mountains of NC & SC but no long distance travel. When we've visited family in Denver before we've always traveled in our truck from I-77, to I-64 to I-70. We've traveled Loveland Pass several times - in good weather and bad - but have never hauled a trailer through that area.

We have a Micro-lite 25KS, towed by a 2017 F-150 3.5EB with max tow package. CAT scales show us with plenty of room to spare re. payload (over 700 pounds) and CGVW. Two questions for my esteemed FROG members:

1. Does truck performance and/or MPG improve significantly when using higher octane fuel in higher elevations? Worth the extra cost per gallon?

2. Would I-70 to Grand Junction and then south on CO 50 be your preferred route or would you perhaps use I-40 to I-25N to CO 50 toward Gunnison, or are there other options? We'll likely take about ten days to two weeks to get to our destination - where we'll be for two months working for the parks and wildlife service.

Thanks.

[Chief T]

Travelchief, sounds like a great trip.

This should answer question 1: https://www.quora.com/Why-is-regular...ion-U-S-states

2. Here’s an alternate route for you. I40 to ABQ, I25N to Bernalillo, SR550 towards Bloomfield/Farmington. Stay on 550 toward Aztec, take 574 to 170 which turns into 140 at NM/CO line. 160W to 184 to Dolores, then 145 to Telluride.

Mesa Verde Nat’l Park is on the 160 as well. Well worth a stop, can get pretty crowded though.

The scenery will be quite diverse. Make sure you got plenty of gas when you get on the 550. Civilization is far and few in between.

Safe and happy travels

[travelchief60]

Thanks Chief T. I'll check out the suggested route. Interesting username. If you don't mind me asking, anything to do with occupation, past or present?

[Chief T]

Originally Posted by travelchief60

Thanks Chief T. I'll check out the suggested route. Interesting username. If you don't mind me asking, anything to do with occupation, past or present?

Retired Navy Chief.

If you do take the I40 to I25 to 50 in CO, just west of Santa Rosa, NM, take 84N to Las Vegas, NM, to avoid Abq, & Santa Fe. Will save a bunch of time. Just south of Raton, NM, is NRA Whittington Center; full hook-up for 32/35 per night with a hint of 2nd amendment in the background.

Cheers,

[travelchief60]

Thanks for your service, Chief. My dad also career Navy. Twenty-two years in subs ('52 through'74). I remember him telling me that the smartest thing he did as an ensign on his first boat was to find the Chief of the Boat, keep his mouth shut, and listen to someone who knows what he's talking about.

I've checked out your suggested route. Looks promising. Since we're heading to Ridgway State Park I think I'll bypass the Million Dollar Highway from Telluride until it's just us and the truck! Be well.

[corocky1998]

I am not sure about the mpg, but I would guess the increase is not worth the extra fuel cost.

I am not sure Chief T's route, but my preferred route would be from NM, I-25 north to Walensberg CO to I-160 east to Cortez and then north to ouray/Telluride. The mountain drive is awesome and with your rig I don't think you would have issues on any paved Colorado pass. Make sure if you can check out the Black Canyon, Mesa Verde, the train from Durango to Silverton and if you can make it to Mounment valley in AZ.

Good luck!

[Chief T]

Smart man, still holds today.

If you roll through ABQ, IM me. Doing volunteer work for Parks and Wildlife? I work for USFWS.

[Underdog]

Regarding the original question #1: Octane has nothing to do with normal engine performance or fuel economy. It only prevents detonation, and detonation tendency is reduced with lower air density at higher elevation. In fact, you will notice that the octane ratings (and gas prices) at high altitude gas stations are often reduced, because higher octane isn't needed there.

Regarding #2: If you aren't overloaded, you shouldn't have any towing problems. If you go to the San Juans from the north, one of the most challenging areas will be approaching the 10,000 ft Eisenhower tunnel on I-70. If you come from the south, the big test will be going up from Durango to Silverton on Rt 550, which has many slow turns followed by difficult uphill acceleration. Silverton has been one of my favorite places to visit.

[corocky1998]

In addition to what Underdog has to say, in Colorado regular gas is 85 octane, works fine.

[1A Camper]

If it was me, and was coming to Denver, I would take 285 out of Denver to Poncha Springs and pick up 50.
I hope you are talking about the Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel on I70 and not Loveland Pass.
The roads in Colorado for the most part are good , they do a lot of repair during summer so check your route before you leave.

[Chuckinca]

Originally Posted by Underdog

. . . one of the most challenging areas will be approaching the 10,000 ft Eisenhower tunnel on I-70.. . . .

From Wikipedia:

"With a maximum elevation of 11,158 feet (3,401 m) above sea level, it is one of the highest vehicular tunnels in the world. The tunnel is the longest mountain tunnel and highest point on the Interstate Highway System. With the completion of the second bore in 1979, it was one of the last major pieces of the Interstate system to be completed."

No problem with a diesel TV having jake brake and tow/haul.


.

[HangDiver]

A very scenic route with minimal steep mountain passes would be to go through Denver and take state hwy 285 south. At Poncha Springs continue south on 285 through the San Luis Valley (along the Sangre De Cristos) to Monte Vista. Go west on Hwy 160 to Delores. At Delores go north on state hwy 145 to Telluride.

Safe travels.

[elchilero53]

Sounds like fun. I have been through all of the mentioned routes, with and without a trailer in tow. Your Ecoboost truck should have no problems going over any pass in Colorado/New Mexico. It's the downhill side that will give you problems. Most grades throughout the mountains will be anywhere between 4% and 7%+. The downhill grade west of Eisenhower Tunnel is 6% (it's used to test engine performance at high altitude under a load - a.k.a. "The Ike Guantlet"). These you will need to be careful on.

Here is another suggested route: Take US 160 from Walsenburg west over La Veta Pass to Monte Vista and go north on SH47 to Saguache then take SH114 over North Cochetopa Pass (a beautiful trip with modest grades). It will drop you out on US 50 east of Gunnison CO. Then go west on US 50 thru Gunnison to Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Montrose CO. Then, turn south on US 550 from Montrose to Ridgway. Then turn west on SH62 to Placerville and turn left on SH145 to Telluride.

Oh, and Eisenhower summit is 11,158 feet, not 10,000 feet as mentioned earlier.

[travelchief60]

Thanks to all who have responded. Not sure I why I mentioned Loveland Pass. I did indeed mean the Eisenhower Tunnel area of I-70. Last time we traveled that stretch we were heading to Moab via Grand Junction after Thanksgiving with a dusting of snow on the roads. The downhill grade was quite invigorating!

Looking forward to our travels and to spending some time away from the the interstates. Thanks to all of you for your input.

[pgandw]

Because the turbocharging on your EB is going to maintain most of the atmospheric pressure at altitude, you should use the same octane rating as you do in the lowlands. This will probably mean going up a grade, as lower octane gas is sold at higher altitudes. Normally aspirated engines have significant drop-offs in power output with altitude, and therefore don't need as high an octane rating as at sea level.


The same is going to prevent you from seeing as much improvement in fuel economy as a normally aspirated engine. The good thing is that you will not have the drop-off in power available.


There will be some fuel economy improvement from the reduced air resistance at altitude.


Fred W
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time