Million Dollar Highway

The Million Dollar Highway is a 40-kilometer section of U.S. Route 550 between Silverton and Ouray in southwestern Colorado, forming part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway. The road traverses three mountain passes - Coal Bank Pass (3,145 m), Molas Pass (3,300 m), and Red Mountain Pass (3,358 m) - while carving through the spectacular San Juan Mountains. Several theories explain the name: the gold ore in the gravel used for construction, the million-dollar views, or the commonly heard phrase "I wouldn't drive that road again for a million dollars."

The road was originally built in the 1880s during the Colorado silver mining boom and has been improved multiple times since. The most dramatic section runs between Ouray and Red Mountain Pass, where the road clings to the cliff face with sheer drops of hundreds of meters and notably lacks guardrails in many sections. The route passes through a landscape of vivid red, orange, and yellow mineral-stained mountains, abandoned mining structures, and dense alpine forests. In autumn, the aspen trees turn brilliant gold, making this one of the premier fall color drives in North America.

Despite its reputation, the road is well-maintained and paved, though it can be treacherous in winter when ice and snow accumulate on the steep grades and tight turns. The town of Ouray, known as the "Switzerland of America," sits at the northern end in a natural amphitheater of mountains, while Silverton, a former mining town at 2,836 meters, retains much of its Victorian-era character. The highway is open year-round but chains or snow tires may be required in winter.