Driving the historic Silver Thread Scenic Byway in Colorado
Usa, north-america
188 km
3,528 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising down Highway 149 in Colorado, on the Silver Thread Scenic Byway, and it's pure magic. This totally paved road stretches for 117 miles through the southwest region of the state, winding through not one, but *four* national forests – Rio Grande, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison. Think stunning!
You'll roll through cute towns like Lake City, Creede, and South Fork, traveling from near Gunnison all the way to US-160 in Rio Grande County, right in the heart of the San Juan Mountain Range.
Word to the wise: this is a two-lane road, so stay alert, especially in winter. While it’s maintained year-round and snowplows keep it clear, conditions can get dicey. You'll climb to Slumgullion Pass, a whopping 11,574 feet above sea level!
Give yourself at least 3 hours to drive, but honestly, you’ll want way more time. This route is packed with panoramic vistas, wildlife sightings (elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep!), and a rich history of Native Americans, early explorers, and Victorian mining towns.
Seriously, the old mining camps are incredible, and the surrounding wilderness is just breathtaking. Follow the road as it traces the old toll routes, stagecoach lines and railways! Look out for North Clear Creek Falls, the Slumgullion earth slide, and Uncompahgre Peak. The heights around Creede and Lake City remain strewn with abandoned mining structures, most of them accessible via rugged backcountry roads. Grab a Silver Thread Guide at the Lake City Visitor Center and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Where is it?
Driving the historic Silver Thread Scenic Byway in Colorado is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 36.6030, -97.8993
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 188 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,528 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 36.6030, -97.8993
Related Roads in north-america
easyGlenn Highway is not something to miss
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for an unforgettable Alaskan adventure on the Glenn Highway! This epic 179-mile (288km) stretch of Alaska Route 1 runs from Anchorage all the way to Glennallen where it meets the Richardson Highway. You'll want to set aside about 4 hours for the drive itself, but trust me, you'll want to make plenty of stops! Named after Captain Edwin Glenn, this well-maintained, two-lane paved road winds its way through some seriously stunning scenery. Think jaw-dropping mountain vistas, cascading waterfalls, and rivers so gorgeous they'll take your breath away. The grades are pretty gentle, so it's a smooth ride most of the way. Keep in mind that the highway started as the Palmer Road back in the 1930s. The highest point is at 3,332 feet (1.016m) above sea level. Basically, this route is a gateway to the natural wonders of Alaska, and it promises a road trip you'll never forget!
easyOverseas Highway is America's Scenic Drive through the Florida Keys
🇺🇸 Usa
# The Overseas Highway: A Road Trip Like No Other Picture this: driving across what feels like an endless bridge stretching into the ocean, with nothing but sparkling water on either side. That's the Overseas Highway—the southernmost stretch of U.S. 1—and it's honestly one of those bucket-list drives you need to experience at least once. This 113-mile ribbon of asphalt connects mainland Florida to the quirky, laid-back world of the Florida Keys via 42 impressive bridges that island-hop their way south. The story's pretty cool too. Back in 1905, the eccentric railroad mogul Henry Flagler started building a railway to Key West, completing it in 1912. When a devastating hurricane destroyed miles of track in 1935, workers got creative and converted the remaining railway into a highway. Construction wrapped up in 1938, and today you're essentially driving over the bones of that original engineering marvel. The absolute star of the show is the famous Seven Mile Bridge (it's actually about 6.8 miles, but who's counting?). When it debuted in 1912, it was one of the longest bridges in the world, and it still looks cinematic enough to have starred in action movies like *2 Fast 2 Furious* and *Mission Impossible III*. The newer version, built with a sturdy 65-foot arch, replaced the original swing span design and can handle the region's hurricane threats much better. Plan on about two hours to drive the whole thing, though you'll probably want to go slower to soak everything in. The road itself is well-maintained these days, though a few sections still need some TLC. Fair warning: if you're nervous driving over water for extended periods, this might test your nerves a bit. But honestly, the views are so stunning that most people forget to be anxious. Speaking of views—bring your camera. The sunrises and sunsets here are absolutely breathtaking, with colors that shift from turquoise to deep emerald waters beneath skies painted in pink, orange, and purple. Mix in swaying palms, rustling pines, and the occasional yacht cruising the horizon, and you've got a postcard-perfect scene at every turn. Fair warning: if you're visiting during peak season, expect bumper-to-bumper traffic. But here's the thing—the scenery is so gorgeous that road rage seems impossible. Being stuck in traffic here hardly feels like a hassle. The bottom line? This drive transforms the Florida Keys from a distant vacation dream into an easily accessible adventure. After the highway opened, tourism exploded—over three million visitors now come through annually. Drive cautiously, especially during holidays, but don't skip this one. It's genuinely one of the most spectacular coastal drives on the planet.
extremeWhere is Ubehebe Crater?
🇺🇸 Usa
Ready for a trip to another planet? Head to the northern reaches of Death Valley National Park and hop on Ubehebe Crater Road! This paved path, a cool 5.6 miles long, leads you straight to the jaw-dropping Ubehebe Crater, a massive volcanic wonder. This isn't just any hole in the ground, folks. We're talking a mile and a half wide and 600 feet deep! The road itself is well-maintained and easy to follow, but the real magic happens as the sun rises, painting the gravel landscape in unreal colors. Word to the wise: the desert can be a fickle friend. Wind is a common character here, especially in spring. Keep an eye out for sudden dust storms – they can kick up when you least expect it. And those crater rims? They're gorgeous, but tread carefully. The ground can be loose and unstable. Oh, and don't count on your cell service out here. Death Valley is seriously extreme. Remember to drink tons of water, especially if you're exploring on foot. If your car decides to take a break, stay put and wait for help. It’s always a good idea to have extra water on hand, just in case. Stay safe, soak up the views, and get ready for an adventure you won't soon forget!
hardHow challenging is the road to Nevado de Colima?
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, thrill-seekers, let's talk about conquering Nevado de Colima in Jalisco, Mexico! This beast of a mountain tops out at nearly 13,100 feet, and the road to get there? Forget about it! We're talking seriously steep climbs – some spots hit a 12% gradient, so you NEED a 4x4 for this mission. The road kicks off from Carretera Estatal el Grullo-Ciudad Guzman and it's about 14.5 miles of pure, unadulterated challenge, racking up over 7,200 feet of elevation gain. Expect mainly gravel and rock – this ain't no Sunday drive. Picture this: you, your trusty 4x4, surrounded by insane Nevado de Colima National Park views, inching your way up what feels like a barely-there mule track. Seriously, it gets narrow and if it's been raining? Muddy and slippery are understatements. Be warned, tourist access is often limited to a gate around 11,500 feet, so those comm towers at the very top may remain out of reach! Built originally to service those towers, this route will test your mettle!