Telluride to Lone Pine: Ultimate Colorado-to-California Drive

This 588-mile journey from Telluride, CO (9,545 ft) to Lone Pine, CA (3,727 ft) drops over 5,800 feet in elevation. The route uses CO-145 to US-160, then onto US-163 and US-191 near Moab, Utah, crossing into California via I-15 and US-95 before reaching US-395.

Driving nonstop takes roughly 9 hours, but most travelers stretch it over two days. The route traverses the Colorado Plateau, the red rock of Moab, and the eastern Sierra Nevada. For a deeper dive into trip planning, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

From Telluride's alpine peaks to the red rock canyon country near Moab, and finally the stark white salt flats and the towering Sierra Nevada, this route is a geological sampler. The highlight is the eastern Sierra escarpment, rising 10,000 feet above the Owens Valley. Near Lone Pine, the Alabama Hills offer sculpted granite formations used in hundreds of films.

• Natural attractions: Dead Horse Point State Park (17 mi from Moab), Valley of the Gods (UT), Mono Lake (CA)
• Commerce: Moab has gear shops; Lone Pine has small markets and the Museum of Western Film History
• Hidden gem: The ghost town of Bodie, CA (detour 25 mi east of US-395)

UNESCO World Heritage Sites within striking distance include Mesa Verde National Park (CO, 130 mi detour) and the Grand Canyon (AZ, 200 mi detour). Both are world-class archaeological and geological sites. For a quick side trip, the Grand Canyon's North Rim is accessible seasonally (May–Oct).

Local commerce in Lone Pine revolves around tourism and small-scale agriculture. The town's population is around 2,000. You'll find diners like the Alabama Hills Cafe and a handful of motels. Moab is a full-service adventure hub with bike rentals, jeep tours, and river rafting.

Road safety considerations include wildlife (deer, elk) at dawn/dusk, especially in Colorado and Utah. The stretch through the Navajo Nation near Mexican Hat has limited services and occasional livestock on the road. Carry extra water and a spare tire.

• Family-friendly stops: Moab's North Window trail (easy hike), and the visitor center at Grand Staircase-Escalante
• Pet-friendly: Many BLM lands allow dogs; the Alabama Hills are off-leash-friendly
• Best stops Telluride, CO to Lone Pine, CA include Moab and the ghost town of Bodie

Fatigue management: The long, straight roads in Nevada can cause drowsiness. Plan to stop every 2 hours or 100 miles. Rest zones with shade: the Baker rest area (NV) and the Olancha rest area (CA). Is it worth driving Telluride, CO to Lone Pine, CA? Absolutely – the diversity of landscapes, from alpine to desert, makes it a quintessential Western road trip.

Things to do between Telluride, CO and Lone Pine, CA: hike the delicate Arch, pan for gold in the Alabama Hills, or stargaze at the Death Valley dark sky. The route offers rich cultural experiences, including Navajo trading posts and the history of the Old Spanish Trail.

Fuel stops are sparse in Utah and Nevada; fill up in Moab, UT (mile 145) and again in Baker, CA (mile ~440). Gas prices drop by ~$0.50/gallon from Colorado to Nevada. Expect cell service gaps: no signal between Monticello, UT and Baker, CA for about 250 miles.

• Recommended fuel stops: Moab, UT; Blanding, UT; Baker, CA
• Average fuel cost: ~$4.20/gal in CO, ~$3.80 in NV
• Road quality: Mostly paved; sections of US-191 near Mexican Hat are narrow with no shoulders

The route includes a mix of high-speed interstates (I-15 for 30 miles) and two-lane highways. US-395 through the Owens Valley is well-maintained but can have gusty winds. Winter travel (Nov–Mar) may require chains over CO passes (Lizard Head Pass, 10,222 ft).

1. Check weather at Lizard Head Pass and US-191 near Monument Valley
2. Carry an emergency kit with water and blankets
3. Download offline maps (Google Maps offline or Gaia GPS)