United States, Colorado
A full loop of the San Juans taking in Coal Bank, Molas and Lizard Head passes.
Length
190 km
In miles
118.1 mi
Driving time
4 hr 45 min
Atlas rating
9.3 / 10
The run
Durango to Telluride, following the US 550 and SR 145. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Snow closes sections in winter
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Every road in the library carries a driving and scenery score set by the same method. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 18 April 2026
Nearby
4 km away
Million Dollar Highway
A mining road cut into the San Juan cliffs with sheer drops and no barrier.
164 km away
Independence Pass
Narrow shelf tarmac to 3687 metres, tight, exposed and completely absorbing.
235 km away
US 163 Monument Valley
The straight every film crew shoots, buttes rising straight out of the desert floor.
254 km away
Pikes Peak Highway
156 corners to 4302 metres on the hill climb road every driver knows by name.
262 km away
Mount Blue Sky Road
No guardrails, thin air and switchbacks to the highest paved road in North America.
324 km away
Trail Ridge Road
The highest continuous paved road in America, tundra above the treeline the whole way.
Drive here from
Plan around it
Curated drives