The Joy of Driving on Mountain Highways

Driving along the mountain highways that wind through Colorado and the Western United States is a must-do experience. You would seldom get to see all of the beautiful Colorado landscape if not for road trips. With this in mind, driving along mountain highways can also be dangerous; the Colorado Department of Transportation lists 321 deaths on Colorado roadways in 2020 alone.

This is mostly due to winding and steep turns along mountain roadways that can catch even the most responsible and alert motorists off guard. For this reason, it is a good idea to have a personal injury attorney in case any such accident happens on your mountain driving journey.

But there is much to see along the mountain highways of Colorado, and this guide will offer some recommendations for your next joyride through the mountains.

Mount Evans Road

The Mount Evans Scenic Byway offers one of the most scenic drives in all of Colorado. This road is the highest paved road in the entire United States, which offers many motorists an exhilarating experience and an ever more awe-inspiring view.

Caution should be taken on Mount Evans Road when making the steep turns that wind around the mountain. You can drive all the way up to the summit for an impressive aerial view of Colorado.

Pikes Peak Highway

Near Colorado Springs is Pikes Peak Highway. This twisting road will require a lot of attention and caution, but this also offers an amazing way to take in some of the grand vistas of the Colorado Springs area.

Once you reach the top of Pikes Peak, you can even visit a cafe and a gift shop to make a full day’s adventure out of the trip. Be sure to make the many turns of this highway with decreased speed to avoid accidents.

The Million Dollar Highway

Deep in the center of the San Juan mountains is a stretch of highway known as the Million Dollar Highway. This highway has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful, yet dangerous stretches of highway in the United States. This is due to the many turns and switchbacks that wind around the mountain highway. It is important to use caution but it is certainly worth seeing the pristine wilderness that surrounds you on the drive up.

Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway

This iconic scenic byway is a must if you have ever wanted to experience the joy of driving on mountain highways in Colorado. The byway stands at an impressive 9,000 feet above sea level and the highway will take you through some of the highest reaches of the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. You can also get a close look at both Mount Elbert and Mount Massive when you are winding upward the byway.

Cache la Poudre North Park Drive

If you want to experience a bit of the rustic Colorado wilderness and see an in-depth view of the Rocky Mountains, then taking a drive through the Cache la Poudre North Park Drive is certainly worth it. This drive also follows along the South Platte River, which will allow you to take in the views of this beautiful lake as you make your way toward Poudre Canyon.