#Zennie vs. The Rockies - Driving the Million Dollar Highway

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Zennie vs. The Rockies - Driving the Million Dollar Highway

Honestly, I'm not sure why they call it the Million Dollar Highway.

Surely it can't be the cost. I bet a million $$ would pay for less than a mile of this Colorado mountain road. Granted, they built it in the 1920s when a dollar went further, but this was obviously a difficult road to build.

Perhaps it's because of the million dollar views, that come at you one after another? Just as you round the corner from one glorious vista, another that tops it comes into view!

Just another ho-hum view along the Million Dollar Highway!

Or perhaps it's the cost of repairs for all those poor vehicles that couldn't quite handle the lofty passes and steep grades on this winding route?

When Zennie and I drove the Million Dollar Highway, I was afraid we'd end up in that last category! I was afraid she was a goner.

Driving the Million Dollar Highway, Colorado

This route is known as one of the most spectacular roads in the United States. It's frequently included in lists of the top scenic drives, and it also makes lists of dangerous roads, too!

It's a 2-lane road through the Rocky Mountains, with many twists and turns, steep drop-offs, and awe-inspiring views. Sadly, only the passenger can totally enjoy those vistas, since the driver needs to focus for this road! There are many hairpin turns, and often no guardrails between the narrow road and the depths below.

The route follows Highway 550 heading north from Durango, which is also called the San Juan Skyway. The "Million Dollar Highway" portion is about 25 miles long, and stretches from Silverton north to Ouray, Colorado.

On the drive, you cross three high-altitude passes:

#1 - Coal Bank Pass (at 10,640 ft) #2 - Molas Pass (at 10,970 ft) #3 - Red Mountain Pass (the highest, at 11,018 ft)

Should we drive this road?

One thing you should know about Zennie is that she has a small, 4-cylinder engine. It's been good enough to get us *almost* anywhere we've tried to go, but this is a big load for a small engine!

I seriously considered alternate routes, knowing that these three high passes would be a challenge. I knew there would be some long climbs, but I hadn't found any source that said what percent grade the roads were.

The problem was that I was in Durango and was aiming for Wyoming, and this was the most direct route. I was in a hurry to make it to WY for the solar eclipse, and didn't have a lot of extra time to take a long way around.

So... I decided to go ahead and do the highly anticipated (yet also somewhat scary) Million Dollar Highway.

If we made it, we'd get a spectacular drive, along with a sense of confidence for future mountain roads. If we didn't make it, then at least I'd have some new knowledge about the limits of what we could(n't) do.

Can Zennie handle the Million Dollar Highway?

The first big pass heading north from Durango is Coal Bank Pass. At 10,640 feet, the top of the pass is more than 4,000 ft higher than Durango. The grade varies, but it's a long climb.

We were in second gear for awhile, which is enough to handle moderate grades that other vehicles barely notice.

Then we got to the steeper sections, and the only way to keep moving up the hill was first gear, going about 25 miles per hour.

As the road went up and up (and up and up and up), I was watching the temperature gauge, and it was getting near the top of the white zone.

I didn't want to stop on a steep section, because it takes forever to get going again on an uphill, so I was hoping we could make it to the top. In the meantime, I turned the heater on full blast, which I've read can help by sucking heat out of your engine compartment.

When we finally reached the top of the pass, I pulled over and turned the engine off to let Zennie cool down. I breathed a sigh of relief...

Then I heard a strange noise coming from under the hood! Oh, this can't be good!

Uh oh... Stopped at the top of Coal Bank Pass.

Did I kill Zennie?

Argh!!! I went up front, and watched coolant pouring out of the front of my vehicle, as alarming noises continued coming from the engine compartment.

I looked at the little green creek that was starting to make its way across the parking lot, and I was afraid this was it. Horrible thoughts went through my head...

I'd murdered Zennie, or at least done something seriously bad.

I'd have to call a tow truck to get back to Durango. Just the towing bill would cost a small fortune!

Then there'd be the mechanic bill, and surely the damage would cost a bundle to fix.

Our traveling days would come to an end, either because Zennie was dead, or because I'd have to spend all my money to fix her.

Oh, the agony! And all because I decided to take this road.

Friends to the rescue!

Fortunately, I have friends who know a lot more about motor vehicles than I do!

And fortunately, there was a cell tower at the top of Coal Bank Pass!

I texted some friends with questions about the situation. I also posted about it in a Facebook group for Toyota motorhomes, to get some feedback that way.

It's so good to have friends!! I got some texts and facebook replies within a little while. I also had a phone call with one friend back in Tucson, who helped me understand what was happening and what I should do.

Bottom line? It's OK!!! Yay!!

I don't need to get a tow truck back to Durango! I didn't do any permanent damage! Our travel days are not over!

By this time, Zennie was all cooled down. As instructed, I refilled the coolant in the radiator and the reservoir, and we were good to go.

I have to say I was a bit nervous about the next two passes coming up, but I felt a thousand times better than I did just minutes before!

Driving the rest of the Million Dollar Highway

Wow!! Once I got over the fear of killing my camper, the rest of this trip was awesome!!

Yes, we went very slowly over the other two passes, but although they were higher elevation than Coal Bank Pass, they were also easier, since they started climbing from a higher point.

And yes, I stopped for a couple of cool-down breaks, and kept the engine running! That turned out to be pretty easy...

Red Mountain, the namesake of the highest pass along the way

There were at least a dozen places that I stopped to take photographs -- places that made me want to say "Oh, oh, look at that!" So I could pull over to take pictures, while Zennie could chill for a bit, then we'd get back on the road to the next amazing photo stop.

And after the last pass, it's all downhill from there!

Lessons learned driving the Million Dollar Highway

Don't stop the engine right away. Turning off while it's hot = boiling the coolant away! I'd been watching the temperature gauge, and knew it was running hot but not in the red zone. I was right to want to cool it down, but my mistake was turning the engine off when I stopped. Instead, keep it running until it gets back to a moderate temperature.

Have some car-knowledgeable friends. I hate to brag, but I have wonderful friends! I've never been a car person myself, but I have friends who know a lot, and who've been willing to help me out when I have a problem. If it wasn't for friends, I would have been facing a tow truck back to Durango, and an unnecessary mechanic bill.

Carry extra coolant. This came in handy! After losing my brakes at the top of Lizard Head Pass the year before (another story!) I also now carry extra brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and engine oil. It can be such a simple fix if you have the right stuff with you, and such a big problem if you don't!

Try to break down by a cell tower. If you're going to be stuck on the side of the road, this really helps!

Do it! Driving the Million Dollar Highway, that is. If you've got the chance, go for it! This is an amazing drive, just outstanding! A picture is better than any thousand words I could write!

Stopped for a photo / cool-down / admire the view break

Questions? Comments?

Have you driven the Million Dollar Highway? Have you overheated trying to make it over a mountain pass? If you've got a story to share, I'd love to hear about it in the Reply section below. Thanks!

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PHOTO CREDITS: Deanna Keahey

The post Zennie vs. The Rockies - Driving the Million Dollar Highway appeared first on Uphill Zen.

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Free camping by the river, near downtown Montrose

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from Zennie vs. The Rockies - Driving the Million Dollar Highway

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How much does this really cost? Budget basics

So what's the bottom line? How much does it cost to live and travel full time in an RV? If you're thinking of getting into a lifestyle like this, it's a good question.

Some people just hit the road and go until the money runs out, but if you hope to make this a long-term arrangement, you may want a better handle on the money side of things!

So the bottom line? Sadly (for your answer), and happily (for the options open to people), there's no "one size fits all" answer.

There are people who do full-time RV travel for $500 a month, and others who spend $10,000. It all depends on how you travel, how you live, and the choices you make.

Here's a rundown on some important variables to consider when figuring out what YOUR budget will be.

Camping style

Expensive camping

Do you want to spend your time in full-service RV resorts? You can stay at campgrounds with full hookups, that give you enough power to run your air conditioner full time, and all the hot water your heart desires.

Big RVs at a big RV park - unlimited power and water

You can have a swimming pool, laundromat, kids playground, shuffleboard, exercise room, and organized activities and outings. With a big RV and full facilities, it's like having all the comforts of a traditional home, except that you can move when you feel like it.

Of course, this all comes at a cost! A nice RV park in the US could easily run you $50/day. Some are more than that.

Budget camping

Boondocking is the cheapest way to go, which is camping out on public lands, with no facilities provided at all. The US has a lot of land in the National Forest and BLM systems that is freely available for anybody to use. Typically you can camp for free, with a 14-day limit in a given spot.

Boondocking can be beautiful, and it's free!

For camping this way, you need to be self-sufficient. There's no power plug, so solar panels are a great way to go. There aren't any flush toilets or hot showers. You have to carry in all the water and food you're going to use, because there's no store out there, either.

Boondocking requires more preparation, but it can get you into some gorgeous and remote places! If you like the feeling of freedom and open space, rather than being in spot #21 between two other RVs, it's pretty appealing. And budget-wise, it's free!

Camping style Range = Free to $1,500/month

Miles covered, pace of travel

Are you planning to cover 300 miles this month or 3,000? Or maybe you just want to stay in one place for the month?

Every mile you cover has a cost. Gas and regular maintenance like oil changes are pretty predictable, and easy to tie to your mileage. Major vehicle repairs are much harder to predict, but still more apt to happen the more miles you're putting in.

How much ground are you planning to cover? Miles = Dollars

Expensive travel pace

Sometimes you need to cover a lot of miles. Perhaps you're planning to travel to Alaska in the summer, and want to do some touring in Canada along the way. There's just no way to do a trip like this without putting in a lot of miles.

Budget travel pace

On the other hand, if you want to spend the summer in the Rockies, it's possible to move from gorgeous place to gorgeous place, finding new vistas, towns and hiking trails, without covering many miles at all.

Taking it a step further, some people like to spend several months each winter in a favorite campground, and don't go much further than the grocery store or the golf course.

Pace of travel Cost per mile varies by vehicle and location, but the more miles in a month, the higher the expenses. It's highly variable, but for illustration, say 200 miles/month vs. 2,000 miles/month, at a cost of $0.50/mile. Monthly range = $100 to $1,000 *Plus vehicle variation below

Vehicle considerations

People travel full-time in all sorts of vehicles. Big class A RVs, 4-wheel drive truck campers, classic VW buses, monster 5th wheels, and even vintage Toyota motorhomes like Zennie!

People travel with all sorts of vehicles!

Your choice of vehicle obviously affects your experience. How much space do you have, and what level of comfort do you enjoy while you travel?

It also affects your budget.

Price per mile. A bigger and/or less efficient vehicle uses more gas, and has a higher cost per mile.

Maintenance costs. Some vehicle makes are known for pricier maintenance. Also an older vehicle may have more age and use-related problems which require more repairs. And some vehicles just aren't as reliable as others.

What kind of places can you go? A 4WD truck camper can get to off-grid places that other vehicles could never make it. If you're in a half-million dollar class A, you probably want to stick to nicer roads.

Cost for camping. Some places charge more for bigger spaces, so your cost per night in the same campground can vary with your vehicle size.

Vehicle considerations No price on its own, but it will affect cost per mile and camping expenses.

Food and drink

Expensive food & drink

If you camp in or near towns, that opens up the possibility of going out for dinner and drinks. It can be a lot of fun checking out the nearby restaurants, and trying the local specialties wherever you happen to be.

It's also easier. Who wants to cook and do dishes every night, when you could go out to eat?

Looks fabulous! And I didn't have to cook it, either!

Of course, this is just like when you live in a traditional house. Do you go out to eat every day? Twice a day? Once a month?

And when you do go out, what kind of places to you choose? Tacos from a street vendor, or an upscale seafood restaurant?

Budget food & drink

Cooking for yourself is more work, but it's also a way to save money. Some people even find it creative and fun, though it may not seem that way every day!

When you do cook for yourself, is it lobster tails or ramen noodles? Do you have a fine vintage wine with it, or a can of cheap beer? There are all different levels of "budget"!

Do-it-yourself fine dining can taste pretty darn good, too!

This part of the budget is highly variable, and also entirely within your own control. You can decide how, what and where to eat, depending on what you want to spend. If you've gone way over on travel expenses, then it could be time for the ramen noodles...

Food and drink Unlike the above categories, this part depends on the number of people you have. I'll use $5 to $40 per day, per person, as a range here (though it's quite possible to go beyond that). This gives a monthly range of: - $150 (single person cooking) to - $2,400 (couple, eating out at nice places).

Activities and entertainment

So let's say you've found yourself a sweet little campsite near the ocean, and you decide to settle in for a week or more. Now what?

Expensive activities

Do you rent a jet ski for the day, or go out on the catamaran sailing trip? Sign up for a wine-tasting tour? Take a helicopter sightseeing flight? Costly activities can add a lot to your monthly expenses.

Jet skis are fun, but they cost more than hiking!

Budget activities

On the other end of the scale, do you go for long walks on the beach every day, looking for seashells? Research the best hiking trails in the area, and go exploring? Set up a hammock, and catch up on some reading (and napping)? These would put you into the budget end of the range.

Activities The low end here is free. More expensive activities could average $75 per person = $150 per outing for a couple. If you do that 10 times per month, it's $1,500. Monthly range: Free to $1,500

Location

Let's face it, some places are just more expensive than others, and this can color the cost of everything above.

Even if you're cooking for yourself, the price of fresh veggies is higher in Alaska than in Mexico.

However many miles you're covering, the price of gas is higher in California than Arizona.

Location There's no price for this on its own, but it acts as a multiplier for all of the other expenses above.

Extras

Regular monthly expenses can include vehicle insurance, health insurance, regular medications, cell phone, Netflix, satellite TV, and other monthly services.

Occasional extra expenses always come up, too. Laundry has to be done. There's an entrance fee to the national park. You have to pay a toll for a highway or bridge. Except when you're in the middle of the wilderness, it seems there's always something!

My navigator, research assistant, and communications aide

At the expensive end of the scale, if you're paying for health insurance, this can be HUGE by itself! The more your vehicle is worth, the higher the vehicle insurance will be. Also, with a big, expensive RV, you're more likely to have things like satellite TV.

At the budget end of the spectrum, insurance isn't as expensive for lower-price vehicles, and it's possible to do without a lot of those extras. (But not the cell phone - that's absolutely mandatory for me!) And if you have Medicare or VA health insurance, that can save you an enormous amount.

Extras This one is hard to estimate. Insurance alone is an enormous expense for some people, while barely a factor for others. I'll pull numbers out of a hat here for illustration: - Budget end is minimal insurance costs, minimal monthly extras, and a handful of occasional expenses = $150. - High end is expensive insurance and plenty of extras = $2,000.

Surprises

This category includes unexpected expenses that you didn't realize you'd have. Unfortunately, I don't have a good way to budget for these!

The biggest category in my experience is vehicle repairs. For instance, when I was in Idaho, Zennie's engine blew up and I needed to spend thousands of dollars on a new engine.

Zennie's looking awfully forlorn without her engine

While it's possible to estimate maintenance and have a slush fund to cover repairs, there's no way that I ever expected anything of this magnitude.

I'm also still trying to find the best way to allocate such expenses. It did happen in October in Idaho, but it could just as easily have been August in Wyoming. I don't want it to look like Idaho is an exceptionally expensive place to go!

So how does it all shake out?

These are extreme examples, and just for illustration, but they will give you an idea of the wide range of monthly budgets for full time RV travel.

Unless you're truly exceptional (well, of course you are, but maybe not in this respect!), your numbers will fall somewhere in the middle. Where exactly depends on your choices.

Camping $0 $1500 Miles traveled 200 2,000 Cost / mile 0.40 0.80 Mileage costs $80 $1,600 Food & drink $150 $2,400 Activities $0 $1,500  Extras $150 $2,000  Total per month $380 $9,000

How about my own numbers with Zennie?

I usually travel on a shoestring, and my own expenses are much closer to the low end of this range. (Except for Idaho - it's super expensive there!)

I like to boondock when possible, and stay in cheap campgrounds (e.g. National Parks) the rest of the time. It's very rare for me to stay in a full-service campground.

I greatly prefer slow travel, where I don't need to cover a lot of miles, and can spend the time to explore and enjoy one place before moving on. That said, sometimes I find myself zooming from one place to another because I'm meeting people, or snow is coming! When that happens, I see my travel expenses go way up for awhile.

I cook for myself about 95% of the time, and I'm fairly thrifty with the extra activities. I'm not taking any helicopter tours, but if there's a charge to get into a special park or attraction, I'll pay it.

I skimp on many things, but I won't miss a pyramid!

So I try to stay near the low end of the range when possible, but I'm not quite as cheap as the imaginary person above.

In addition to this "Budget Basics" post, I'm creating another series of posts, where I break down my actual expenses for different road trips. You can see exactly how much it cost, and where the money went.

But now you know... your results WILL vary!

Questions? Comments?

Are you a full-time traveler, with some of your own budget numbers to share? Or do you have questions about the budget factors I looked at above (or something I forgot)? Please leave your thoughts, contributions and questions in the Reply section below. Thanks!

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PHOTO CREDITS: Deanna Keahey

The post How much does this really cost? Budget basics appeared first on Uphill Zen.

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