Highway 50 runs all the way across the United States and used to be one of the main roads to get from coast to coast. But just like the well known route 66, it’s been bypassed by the Interstate, which is great because we can ride with less traffic.

Starting in the east at the little town of Holly, the road is a two lane that is straight and runs through farms and ranches with several small towns like Granada, Lamar, Las Animas and La Junta.

Pueblo is a small city or large town but either way you’ll have to work you’re way through it by being on interstate 25 north for just a few miles, so try to time it so that your not there during rush hour. Look for signs for exit 101, Hwy 50 west/Canyon City and as you leave the city, the mountains look like you can reach out and touch them. There’s still another 30 miles to go but the road is smooth and you can travel at 65 so it’s not long before you get into the foothills and the town of Canyon City. If you have the time there’s a train that takes you through the Royal Gorge. Or just stay on Hwy 50 for about another 10 miles and look for the turn off for the bridge over the Royal Gorge.

Continuing on the road drops back down to join the Arkansas River as it winds it’s way through spectacular rock formations in the canyon. Occasionally the canyon opens up to lush green valleys with little towns with some unique shopping. Kayaking and rafting are popular activities along with some of the best fishing in the state so there are many parks along the way.

Nestled in the mountains and in the south end of the Arkansas River valley is the little town of Salida. Hwy 50 runs along the south side of the town and has many hotels, places to eat, and the Salida Hot Springs Pool. The town itself is home to many artists that have interesting shops that are worth checking out.

It’s not long as you travel west until you start to really go up in elevation toward the top of spectacular Monarch Pass. About two thirds of the way up is the Monarch Mountain Lodge that has all the amenities in one spot for a nice relaxing evening. Near the top of the pass is the Monarch Ski Area, then you start the long and turning downhill into the Gunnison valley.

Highway 50 comes down into the Gunnison River valley where there are many hayfields and ranches some looking like they should be in an old west movie. The road is a two lane that’s easy to travel on and it doesn't take long till you get to the town of Gunnison. As you roll into town there’s a nice park with big trees and downtown has plenty of places to eat and shop.

Heading west out of town you’ll come to Blue Mesa reservoir with lots of water actives to do and camping spots. When you get to the west end of the lake and if you have a little time take a ride north up Hwy 92 along the Gunnison Gorge, the views are spectacular. Highway 50 continues through the canyons and valleys right through the heart of the state and some beautiful ranch country.

There are many small towns along the way but the next major town you’ll come to is Montrose. Montrose is a pretty large town and is where you’ll head north on Hwy 550, which will turn back into Hwy 50 just north of the city. You’ll start dropping in elevation and it gets more like desert as you get closer to Grand Junction and the end of this route.

Holly to Pueblo
Start out going WEST on E CHEYENNE ST toward S MAIN ST. - 0.0 mi
Turn RIGHT onto S MAIN ST. - 0.1 mi
Turn LEFT onto W COLORADO ST/US-50/US-400. Continue to follow US-50. – 27.8mi
Turn RIGHT onto S MAIN ST/US-287 N/US-50 W. Continue to follow US-50 W. –119.4
Merge onto I-25 S/US-85 S/US-87 S toward CENTRAL BUS DIST. - 2.3 mi
Take EXIT 98A toward US-50 E/LA JUNTA. - 0.1 mi
Turn LEFT onto S SANTA FE AVE/US-50 BR. - 0.3 mi
End at Pueblo, CO
Estimated Time: 2.0 hours 36 minutes Estimated Distance: 150.05 miles
Pueblo to Gunnison
Start out going NORTH on S SANTA FE AVE/US-50 BR toward LOCUST ST. -0.3 mi
Turn RIGHT onto ILEX ST. - 0.2 mi
Merge onto I-25 N/US-85 N/US-87 N toward DENVER/US-50 W/CANON CITY. - 3.2 mi
Take the US-50 W exit, EXIT 101, toward CANON CITY. - 0.4 mi
Turn LEFT onto US-50 W/CO-47 W. Continue to follow US-50 W. - 96.8 mi
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT. - 0.2 mi
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto US-285/US-50. Continue to follow US-50. - 59.7 mi
Turn RIGHT onto N TAYLOR ST. -0.1 mi
End at Gunnison, CO
Estimated Time: 2.0 hours 57 minutes Estimated Distance: 160.90 miles
Gunnison to Grand Junction
Start out going SOUTH on N TAYLOR ST toward E VIRGINIA AVE. - 0.1 mi
Turn RIGHT onto E TOMICHI AVE/US-50. Continue to follow US-50. - 64.6 mi
Turn RIGHT onto N TOWNSEND AVE/US-50 W. Continue to follow US-50 W. -61.0 mi
Turn RIGHT onto PITKIN AVE/I-70 BL E/US-6 BR E. - 0.8 mi
End at Grand Junction, CO
Estimated Time: 2.0 hours 21 minutes Estimated Distance: 126.42 miles