8 Colorado Mountain Byways Tourists Turned Into Gridlock Roads

Colorado’s mountain byways once offered peaceful drives through stunning alpine scenery, where travelers could soak in panoramic views without sharing the road with hundreds of others. Those days are fading fast. Thanks to social media hype and explosive population growth, many of these once-serene routes now resemble parking lots on weekends and during peak seasons. If you’re planning to explore these iconic roads, you’ll need more than just a full tank of gas – you’ll need a solid strategy to beat the crowds and actually enjoy the journey.

1. San Juan Skyway

This 236-mile loop through southwestern Colorado showcases some of the state’s most dramatic mountain scenery, incorporating the Million Dollar Highway and passing through charming towns like Telluride, Ouray, and Durango. Summer and fall bring floods of tourists, turning the scenic drive into a congested marathon that can take all day.

The narrow-gauge railroad between Durango and Silverton offers an alternative way to experience the stunning landscape without dealing with traffic stress. Many travelers find the train journey more relaxing and equally scenic.

If you’re committed to driving the full loop, break it into sections over multiple days rather than attempting it in one rushed trip. Weekday travel and shoulder seasons provide significantly better experiences. The scenery truly deserves your full attention, not just glimpses between brake lights and bumpers.

2. Trail Ridge Road

Climbing to over 12,000 feet, Trail Ridge Road holds the title of the highest continuous paved road in North America. That distinction alone draws massive crowds every summer and fall. Rocky Mountain National Park implemented a timed entry reservation system to manage the overwhelming visitor numbers, but weekends still feel like rush hour in the sky.

Your best bet? Book your timed entry permit well in advance – they sell out quickly during peak season. Aim for an early morning slot when the light is magical and the crowds are thinner. Weekdays offer a slightly better experience than weekends.

Pack layers because temperatures drop significantly at elevation. The views are absolutely worth the hassle, but patience is essential when navigating this iconic route during busy months.

3. Guanella Pass Scenic Byway

Just a quick drive from Denver, Guanella Pass transforms into a golden wonderland every fall, attracting leaf-peepers by the thousands. The 24-mile route connecting Georgetown and Grant climbs to 11,670 feet, offering stunning aspen displays that Instagram can’t resist. Unfortunately, easy accessibility means parking nightmares and bumper-to-bumper crawls on autumn weekends.

Trailhead parking fills up before most people finish their morning coffee. Rangers strictly enforce no-parking zones, and you’ll see tickets on windshields if you try to squeeze in illegally.

Arrive before sunrise if you’re serious about snagging a parking spot and enjoying the scenery without elbow-to-elbow crowds. Weekday visits dramatically improve your chances of a peaceful experience. Respect posted signs and plan for limited facilities along this high-elevation route.

4. Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

Stretching from Estes Park to Black Hawk, this byway serves as a major artery for visitors heading to Rocky Mountain National Park. During leaf-peeper season and summer vacation months, the road transforms into a slow-moving parade of RVs, rental cars, and motorcycles. What should be a leisurely scenic drive often becomes a test of patience.

The Continental Divide views are spectacular, but you’ll spend more time staring at brake lights than mountain peaks during peak hours. Small towns along the route get overwhelmed with day-trippers looking for lunch spots and restrooms.

Timing matters enormously here. Early morning or late afternoon drives on weekdays provide the best opportunity to actually enjoy the scenery. Avoid weekend afternoons entirely if you value your sanity and want more than a crawling pace.

5. Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway

Formerly known as Mount Evans Scenic Byway, this route takes drivers to a breathtaking 14,140 feet – the highest paved road in North America. That superlative status attracts tourists like moths to a flame, especially during summer months when the road is fully open. Weekend traffic can back up for miles as visitors inch toward the summit.

Colorado now requires a timed entry permit system to manage the chaos. Check the official website early because permits disappear fast for popular time slots. The road features hairpin turns and steep drop-offs with no guardrails, making slow traffic even more challenging.

Altitude sickness affects many visitors at this elevation, so take it slow and stay hydrated. Early morning permits offer the best chance for wildlife sightings and clearer skies. The summit views are unforgettable if you can handle the crowds and elevation.

6. Million Dollar Highway

Winding 25 miles between Silverton and Ouray, the Million Dollar Highway earned its name either from the costly construction or the million-dollar views – depending on who you ask. Either way, this stretch of U.S. Route 550 combines narrow lanes, sheer drop-offs, and no guardrails with heavy summer tourist traffic. It’s a white-knuckle experience even without congestion.

Slow-moving RVs and nervous drivers create bottlenecks on the tight switchbacks. Locals know to use the designated turnouts to let faster traffic pass, but tourists often don’t follow that courtesy. The result? Frustration and dangerous passing attempts.

Drive defensively and resist the urge to rubberneck at the stunning San Juan Mountain scenery while behind the wheel. Off-season travel reduces traffic considerably, though weather becomes a bigger concern. Patience and caution are non-negotiable on this spectacular but challenging route.

7. Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway

Running through central Colorado’s Arkansas River valley, this byway offers stunning views of multiple 14,000-foot peaks named after prestigious universities – Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia among them. The two-lane road wasn’t designed for the volume of summer and fall tourists it now carries. Traffic crawls during peak season as hikers, rafters, and sightseers all converge on the area.

Trailhead parking for popular fourteener hikes fills up incredibly early, sometimes before dawn. Day-trippers from Denver and Colorado Springs pack the route on weekends, creating bottlenecks through small towns like Buena Vista and Salida.

Start your journey at first light to beat the crowds and secure parking if you’re planning to hike. Weekday visits offer dramatically better conditions. The mountain views are genuinely spectacular, but timing your visit properly makes the difference between enjoyment and frustration.

8. Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway

Circling west of Denver through Golden, Morrison, and Evergreen, the Lariat Loop serves as a quick escape for city dwellers craving mountain scenery without the long drive. That convenience makes it extremely popular on weekends, when Denver residents flood the route for day trips to Red Rocks Park, historic mining towns, and mountain restaurants.

The proximity to metro Denver means you’re never far from civilization, but you’re also never far from traffic jams during peak times. Restaurants and attractions along the route get overwhelmed on sunny weekend afternoons.

Weekday drives offer the best experience, allowing you to actually enjoy the historic sites and scenic overlooks without fighting for parking spaces. The loop makes an excellent introduction to Colorado’s mountain byways, but timing matters enormously. Early mornings provide the best lighting for photography and the thinnest crowds along this accessible route.