Telluride to Red Lodge Road Trip Guide

The Telluride to Red Lodge road trip is a masterclass in mountain scenery. This roughly 700-mile route crosses four states and climbs over a dozen mountain passes. The shortest driving time is about 12 hours without stops, but you'll want to stretch it to at least three days.

One little-known fact: the route parallels part of the historic Bridger Trail, used by early settlers. The drive includes segments of the San Juan Scenic Byway in Colorado and the Beartooth Highway in Montana, both rated among America's most dramatic drives.

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Use this guide to uncover hidden gems along the way.

The journey slices through the Colorado Plateau, Utah's red rock desert, Wyoming's high desert, and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The landscape shifts dramatically from alpine forests to sagebrush steppe.

• In Moab, visit Arches National Park: 2,000+ natural arches, including Delicate Arch.
• Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in Utah offers turquoise waters and red cliffs.
• Beartooth Highway (US-212) features 20+ peaks over 12,000 ft and countless glacial lakes.

Local culture is rich with cowboy heritage and Native American history. In Rock Springs, the Western Wyoming Community College houses a dinosaur museum. In Red Lodge, the historic downtown has boutiques and art galleries.

• UNESCO sites: none directly on the route, but nearby Mesa Verde (Colorado) and Yellowstone (Wyoming) are within a day's detour.
• Try huckleberry products in Montana—jams, pies, and ice cream.
• Artisan crafts: Navajo rugs and silver jewelry in Moab shops.

Mountain driving demands caution. Watch for wildlife at dawn and dusk, especially deer and elk on US-191 near Rock Springs. Beartooth Highway has no guardrails in some sections; keep a steady speed.

• Cell service: spotty on Beartooth; download offline maps in advance.
• Emergency services: limited; next assistance could be 50+ miles apart.
• Weather: sudden snow possible even in summer; carry chains.

Family-friendly stops: Dinosaur National Monument (near Vernal, UT) offers fossil beds and junior ranger programs. The Children's Museum of Montana in Red Lodge has hands-on exhibits.

• Pet-friendly: many motels in Moab and Red Lodge welcome dogs. National parks require leashes.
• Rest zones: fatigue can set in on long desert stretches. Stop every 2 hours. Rest areas near Green River, WY, and at the Beartooth scenic overlooks.
• Bathrooms: limited except in towns. Carry toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Hidden off-route spots: take a detour to the Uinta Mountains from Vernal, UT for solitude and alpine lakes. Or visit the ghost town of Kirwin, WY, accessible by rough gravel road.

Begin on CO-145 south out of Telluride, then take US-491 north to Monticello, UT. From there, US-191 cuts through Moab and continues to I-70 west. At exit 149, take US-191 north through Rock Springs, WY. Finally, follow US-212 (Beartooth Highway) into Red Lodge.

• Total distance: about 700 miles (1,127 km).
• Driving time without stops: 12–13 hours.
• Road quality: mostly good, but Beartooth Highway has tight switchbacks and seasonal closures.

Gas stations are sparse between Monticello and Moab (approx. 80 miles) and again on the Beartooth section. Always fill up in Moab, Rock Springs, and Cooke City, MT.

• Best fuel economy: cruise at 55 mph on mountain grades to save gas.
• Cost estimate: $80–$110 for gas, depending on vehicle.
• Beartooth Highway usually opens late May; check conditions before going.