Mbethrobi
New Mexico
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I am looking for some "real" information on 550 between Durango and Silverton. It is really that SCARY? I have looked at the road using the GOOGLE map street view, and I am looking at maybe 24 miles of it as winding and narrow. But I have seen YouTube videos and heard stories that it is absolutely terrifying. We will be in a 30ft Class C. If you have driven this road, could you please give me your very honest opinion of this section of the road. I have plans to camp at Molas Lake and really want to go, but not if I am going to be terrified the entire way.
Thank you very much.
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Bounder Billy
Colorado
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I have driven this in my car, but would never take my rv on the road since there are too many U bends and sharp turns on a narrow road. You will find that others on this forum have driven it in their rv. If you meet someone on one of the bends or sharp turns you could have a problem. It is a beautiful road and you should drive it, but just not in an rv, even a 30' class c. If you do a search on Roads & Routes you will probably find previous opinions.
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Have driven hwy 550 both directions longbed quad cab towing our 34' 5'vr.
The road is not narrower than other roads. Vehicles coming/going have no problem passing each other.
Yes there are sharp turns, steep grades etc. It is mountain road.
Are YOU comfortable driving thru mountains? Do you get nervous due to no guard rails, narrow shoulders, extreme drop offs?
We loved the scenery/views etc. I enjoy mountain driving.....
How about you?
Scary?
'Bounder Billy' seems to think so, I don't.
That's just it......is for some, not for others. Me....I don't like spiders 
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magnusfide
On the Road Again and Again and Again...
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Your personal confidence level for tackling a route like that is the most important consideration. I always advise: When in doubt, change the route.
First law of science: don't spit into the wind.
Keep on rollin'!
Magnus
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paulj
Seattle
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It's the Silverton to Ouray portion that some consider SCARY. Durango to Silverton is easier. I suspect the only U turn is on the downgrade to Silverton, and even that won't be any sharper than a street corner or freeway offramp.
Your destination is south of Silverton, right?
By the way, why should our stories be any more honest than those that you have heard?  Unless your acquaintances have all got their info second hand.
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More To See
San Diego Area
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Impossible to arrive at a good answer. It comes down to the driver. Thousands of rigs use 550 all the time. Two identical rigs going up to Silverton: One driver terrified, fingers tightly wrapped around the steering wheel, beads of sweat on their forehead. The other driver relaxed, talking back and forth, enjoying the scenery, maybe sipping on a mug of coffee while cautiously working through all the tight turns and drop offs. Same rig. Same road. Different drivers.
I'd think a 30 footer is well within the abilities of going up to Silverton. Maybe wait down in the valley and fall in behind some 40 foot DP or 5th wheel heading up that way. If they can make it you surely can.
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tina1bear
Sanibel, Florida
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see
Why not watch the video of the 'Most Dangerous Roads' story. Here's a link.
(if the link doesn't work, copy the URL and paste in your browser)
http://www.hulu.com/watch/118386/dangerous-drives-million-dollar-highway
This way you will be able to "preview" your journey.
...after watching, think about - what's an Enjoyable journey to you? Would this be "an exciting, memorable wonderful drive" where you and your co pilot enjoyed the scenery as well as the challenge of this drive or would it be more like a white knuckle experience with you totally focused only on keeping the rig between the lines and not overheating the engine, transmission or brakes while your co pilot cowers on the floor pleading that you not kill her?
It's up to you.
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daveshan
Durango Colrado
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I and several of my friends here in Durango had a good laugh over the drama in that episode. You'd think those drivers have a 50% fatality rate the way they talked There are some good pics of the highway and if those rigs can make it on a daily basis there's no reason we shouldn't.
We're doing a trip to Ouray at the end of the month dragging a Cherokee behind ours, don't anticipate any issues other than possibly having to get creases out of the passenger's seat after the trip home.
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see responses under Class a travel and places for 550
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Boatingben
South Eastern Minn
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I drove the road bout 1 month ago in my pickup from north heading south ...I have a 45 foot motorhome and I would take it up over in a hartbeat ...It would take a little longer but its very duable
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mockturtle
WA
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Bear this in mind about 'driving' a road on Google. I have done it with several roads with which I am very familiar. While it gives you an idea of the width of the road, the traffic, etc., and the surface to some extent, there is no real feel for the grade nor the curves.
We have taken the road in question in a car (Durango to Montrose) but we would not have taken our 36' RV on this route. The Google 'drive' does not do it justice. I would take my current, smaller MH, though.
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paulj
Seattle
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One 'most dangerous roads' segment focused on the avalanche problems on this highway. Obviously that's not going to a summer issue.
There are a couple of Washington highways that would fit that dangerous list, if WSDOT tried to keep them open all winter. So instead they are just 'scenic'.
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