Durango Travel
Tips for Traveling In & Out of Durango
Here you can find all sorts of Durango travel tips! Durango is easy to reach by road on two major U.S. Highways. From the west or east, visitors can arrive in Durango on U.S. Highway 160, a road once known as the Old Spanish Trail. From the north or south, visitors can arrive on U.S. Highway 550.
U.S. Highway 550
Above Durango, U.S. 550 is part of the scenic San Juan Skyway. Parts of the road share the former railroad grade of the Silverton Railroad. The section of U.S. 550 above Durango is sometimes referred to as the Million Dollar Highway, a nickname that some say alludes to the millions of dollars in Silver that once was hauled on the old roadbed.
Million Dollar HighwayBelow Durango, U.S. 550 from Albuquerque, New Mexico offers a modern four-lane divided highway. This approach to Durango is preferred by many travelers who fly to the International Airport in Albuquerque and drive the final distance to Durango, a trip just over three and a half hours by car.
Getting Around Durango
Durango, especially downtown, is an extremely walkable city. Parking downtown consists of street parking and permit spaces. While on your trip, a great alternative to driving and searching for parking is taking advantage of the Durango Transit System. It consists of buses and trolleys that run in three convenient lines weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Getting Around Durango
Parking in Downtown Durango
The city offers metered parking in the central business district. From Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., parking fees are in effect for thirty minute, three hour, and ten hour time spans. There is no parking enforcement on holidays or weekends. You can use the city’s interactive map to find the locations with the most available parking at any given time.
Durango Parking Map
Hotels With Airport Shuttle
Rental car services are available at the Durango airport, as well as at the Albuquerque International Airport, but many local hotels offer a convenient airport shuttle to get you to and from your lodging destination without the need for a rental car. This is a great choice for saving money on your trip.
Hotels With Airport Shuttle
Durango To Silverton
If you’re planning on making a day trip to Silverton, Colorado, there are several ways you can get there. Options include a quick train ride – offering visitors a unique look at the history of Southwest Colorado as it relates to mining – or a scenic drive along Highway 550. Consider renting a Jeep to make the trek yourself.
Durango To Silverton
Durango To Purgatory
Perhaps you’re planning for a day of skiing at Purgatory Resort while you’re staying in Durango. Check out the options for getting from Durango to Purgatory, including paid shuttle services, driving yourself on Highway 550, or utilizing a rideshare service. You should also consider staying at a ski in / ski out condo.
Durango To PurgatoryFor more information on lodging and things to do during your stay, browse our blog and check out our hotels and vacation rentals pages.