Durango Colorado Directions: How to Get Here

Planning a visit or move to Durango, Colorado? Finding your way to our mountain town is the first step in your Southwest Colorado adventure. As local real estate experts who know La Plata County well, we’ve created this guide to help you navigate to Durango Colorado from any direction. Whether you’re driving across the country or flying in, these directions to Durango CO will help you reach our mountain town safely.

Understanding Durango’s Location

Before sharing specific directions, it helps to know where Durango sits. Located in the Animas River Valley within the San Juan Mountains, Durango is in the southwestern corner of Colorado, about:

• 25 miles north of the New Mexico border
• 89 miles east of the Utah border
• 85 miles northeast of the Arizona border

Durango serves as the county seat of La Plata County and sits at 6,512 feet above sea level.

Driving Directions to Durango Colorado

From Denver and the North (via US-285 S and US-160 W)

This route takes you through the San Luis Valley and over Wolf Creek Pass:

1. From Denver, take I-25 South
2. Near Colorado Springs, exit onto US-285 South
3. Follow US-285 South for about 150 miles through Fairplay, Buena Vista, and into the San Luis Valley
4. At Alamosa, continue on US-285 South
5. At Monte Vista, turn right onto CO-15 South/US-160 West
6. Follow US-160 West over Wolf Creek Pass, through Pagosa Springs, and continue west to Durango
7. Total distance: about 340 miles
8. Driving time: 6-7 hours depending on weather and traffic

Note: Wolf Creek Pass (10,857 feet) can have heavy snow in winter. Check Colorado road conditions before traveling in winter months.

From Denver and the North (via I-70 W and US-50 W)

This longer but often more scenic route takes you through central Colorado:

1. From Denver, take I-70 West into the mountains
2. Continue on I-70 West past Vail and Glenwood Springs
3. At Grand Junction, take exit 31 for US-50 East toward Delta/Montrose
4. Follow US-50 East to Montrose
5. In Montrose, turn right onto US-550 South
6. Continue on US-550 South through Ouray and Silverton (this stretch is the “Million Dollar Highway”)
7. US-550 South will take you directly into Durango
8. Total distance: about 400 miles
9. Driving time: 7-8 hours depending on weather and traffic

Note: This route includes mountain passes that can be difficult in winter but offers amazing scenery.

From Albuquerque and the South

Many travelers want to know how to drive from Albuquerque to Durango, which is one of the easiest routes:

1. From Albuquerque, take I-25 North to exit 242 for NM-44/US-550 North
2. Follow US-550 North through Bernalillo, Cuba, and Bloomfield
3. US-550 North continues into Colorado and leads directly to Durango
4. Total distance: about 215 miles
5. Driving time: 3.5-4 hours

Note: This route is usually easier in winter than approaches from the north, but can still have snow at higher elevations.

From Phoenix and the Southwest

If you need directions to take me to Durango Colorado from the southwest:

1. From Phoenix, take I-17 North
2. Near Flagstaff, merge onto I-40 East
3. Take exit 201 for US-191 North
4. Follow US-191 North to US-160 East
5. Continue on US-160 East through Kayenta, Four Corners Monument, and Cortez
6. US-160 East leads directly into Durango
7. Total distance: about 450 miles
8. Driving time: 7-8 hours

From Salt Lake City and the Northwest

1. From Salt Lake City, take I-15 South
2. Take exit 132 for US-6 East/US-191 South near Spanish Fork
3. Follow US-6 East/US-191 South to Price
4. Continue on US-191 South to Moab
5. In Moab, take US-191 South to Monticello
6. At Monticello, turn left onto US-491 South
7. Follow US-491 South to Cortez
8. In Cortez, turn left onto US-160 East
9. Continue on US-160 East to Durango
10. Total distance: about 390 miles
11. Driving time: 6.5-7.5 hours

From Dallas/Fort Worth and the East

If you need to find your way from my location to Durango Colorado starting in the eastern states:

1. From Dallas, take I-35 North
2. Near Oklahoma City, take I-40 West
3. Continue on I-40 West through New Mexico to Albuquerque
4. In Albuquerque, follow directions above (From Albuquerque and the South)
5. Total distance: about 860 miles
6. Driving time: 13-14 hours (consider breaking this into a two-day journey)

GPS and Navigation Tips for Durango Colorado Directions

When using GPS or navigation apps to navigate to Durango Colorado, enter one of these reliable destinations:

• Durango Welcome Center: 802 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301
• Historic Downtown Durango: Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301
• Durango Transit Center: 250 W 8th Street, Durango, CO 81301

For specific destinations within the Durango area, use the exact address rather than just “Durango, CO” to avoid confusion.

Popular Mapping Services for Directions to Durango CO

Most major mapping services work well for finding Durango:

• Google Maps: Offers reliable directions with real-time traffic updates
• Apple Maps: Works well in the Durango area with good accuracy
• Waze: Helpful for real-time traffic and hazard information
• OnX Offroad: Good for those planning to explore backcountry roads around Durango

Tip: Download offline maps before your journey, as cell service can be limited in mountain areas between major cities and Durango.

The San Juan Skyway Scenic Route

If time permits, consider taking the San Juan Skyway, one of America’s most beautiful scenic byways that includes Durango:

The complete San Juan Skyway is a 233-mile loop that includes:

• Durango
• Silverton
• Ouray
• Ridgway
• Telluride
• Dolores
• Cortez

This stunning drive crosses multiple mountain passes and offers amazing views of the San Juan Mountains. While not the fastest route, it delivers a memorable introduction to the region.

Seasonal Considerations for Durango Colorado Directions

Winter Travel (November-April)

• Mountain Passes: Wolf Creek Pass (US-160) and the mountain passes on US-550 (Coal Bank, Molas, and Red Mountain) can be tough in winter.
• Chain Laws: Colorado may require proper tires or chains during snow events.
• Road Closures: Temporary closures for avalanche control may happen on mountain routes.
• Alternative Routes: If traveling during a winter storm, consider approaching from the south via US-550 from New Mexico, which usually has milder winter conditions.

Summer Travel (June-August)

• Construction: Summer is road construction season in Colorado. Check for projects that might cause delays.
• Traffic: Peak tourist season means more vehicles on the road, especially on weekends.
• Wildfires: In dry years, fires can affect travel routes. Check for any active fires before departing.

Fall Travel (September-October)

• Fall Colors: This beautiful season draws many visitors, particularly in late September when the aspens turn gold.
• Early Snow: Snow is possible at higher elevations by early October.

Spring Travel (May-June)

• Mountain Passes: High mountain passes may still have snow until mid-June.
• Spring Runoff: Rivers can be high due to snowmelt, sometimes affecting low-water crossings on backcountry roads.
• Weather Changes: Spring in the mountains can bring everything from snow to warm conditions, sometimes in the same day.

Approaching Durango from the Airport

If you’re flying into the region, here are directions from nearby airports to Durango:

From Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO)

1. Exit the airport onto CR-309A South
2. Turn right onto CO-172 North
3. Follow CO-172 North for about 12 miles
4. Turn left onto CR-234/Elmore’s Corner
5. Continue onto US-160 West into Durango
6. Total distance: about 15 miles
7. Driving time: 25-30 minutes

From Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

1. Follow the signs for I-25 North from the airport
2. Take I-25 North to exit 242 for NM-44/US-550 North
3. Follow US-550 North through New Mexico and into Colorado
4. US-550 leads directly into Durango
5. Total distance: about 220 miles
6. Driving time: 3.5-4 hours

From Denver International Airport (DEN)

1. Take Peña Boulevard to I-70 West
2. Follow either the US-285 route or I-70/US-50 route as described in the “From Denver” sections above
3. Total distance: about 390 miles
4. Driving time: 6.5-7.5 hours

Learn more about what airlines fly into Durango Colorado

Directions to Popular Destinations Around Durango

To Purgatory Resort

1. From downtown Durango, head north on Main Avenue/US-550 North
2. Continue on US-550 North for about 25 miles
3. The resort entrance will be on your left
4. Driving time from downtown: 35-40 minutes

To Mesa Verde National Park

1. From downtown Durango, head west on US-160 West
2. Continue on US-160 West for about 35 miles
3. Turn right at the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park
4. Driving time from downtown: 45-50 minutes

To Silverton

1. From downtown Durango, head north on Main Avenue/US-550 North
2. Continue on US-550 North over Coal Bank and Molas passes
3. Silverton is about 48 miles from Durango
4. Driving time: 1 hour 15 minutes (longer in winter)

Finding Your Way Around Durango

Once you’ve arrived in Durango, navigating the city is fairly simple:

Key Orientation Points

• Main Avenue: Durango’s historic downtown runs north-south and serves as the main reference point
• Animas River: Flows north to south through town, generally parallel to Main Avenue
• US-160: The main east-west highway, locally known as Camino del Rio where it passes through town
• US-550: The main north-south route, which becomes Main Avenue through downtown

Durango Neighborhoods

Understanding Durango’s layout helps with navigation:

• Historic Downtown: The central business district centered on Main Avenue
• North Main: The area extending north from downtown along Main Avenue
• Animas City: Further north, past 32nd Street
• Horse Gulch/Florida Road: Eastern residential areas
• Three Springs: A newer development on the southeast side of town
• Grandview/Three Springs: Area around Mercy Regional Medical Center on the east side

Using Public Transportation in Durango

For those who prefer not to drive once in Durango, the city offers public transit options:

• Durango Transit “T”: Runs multiple routes throughout the city with regular service on weekdays and limited service on weekends
• Road Runner Transit: Connects Durango with nearby communities of Ignacio and Bayfield on weekdays

Need More Specific Directions?

If you’re relocating to Durango or looking for real estate in specific neighborhoods, our team at Destination DRO can provide custom directions to properties and communities that match your interests. As local experts, we know the shortcuts, scenic routes, and best ways to every part of Durango and La Plata County.

Durango’s Street Address System

Durango uses a grid system for addresses:

• Streets run east-west
• Avenues run north-south
• Numbers increase as you move away from the center of town

Understanding this system can help you navigate more easily when looking for specific addresses.

Real-Time Navigation Help

For the most current directions to Durango CO, we recommend:

1. Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT): Visit www.cotrip.org for real-time road conditions, closures, and construction updates
2. CDOT Travel Alerts: Call 511 within Colorado for road information
3. Weather Reports: Check mountain pass conditions during winter months at weather.gov

Contact Us for Personal Durango Colorado Directions

Planning a visit to explore Durango real estate or moving to our beautiful mountain town? Our team at Destination DRO can help with personal guidance on the best routes based on your starting point, season of travel, and preferences.

Beyond just providing directions to Durango Colorado, we can share insider knowledge about the journey, recommend scenic detours, and help you find the perfect property once you arrive. Our deep understanding of La Plata County and surrounding areas ensures you’ll get expert advice for your Durango adventure.

Ready to navigate your way to Durango? Contact us today for custom directions and real estate information:

Contact Destination DRO today!

Phone: (970) 555-1234 Email: info@destinationdro.com Visit: 123 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301

Learn more about living in Durango CO

Discover how to get to Durango

---

Information in this guide is current as of March 2025. Road conditions, construction projects, and routes may change. Please contact Destination DRO for the most up-to-date information on Durango Colorado directions.