• Introduction
• 1. Blue Ridge Parkway
• 2. Hana Highway
• 3. Highway 1
• 4. Highway 12
• 5. Going-to-the-Sun Road
• 6. Million Dollar Highway
• 7. Red Rock Scenic Byway
• 8. Seward Highway
• 9. Sonoma and Napa Valleys
• 10. U.S. Route 1

Million Dollar Highway

Despite varying explanations as to the origin of its name (one claims it cost $1 million a mile to build in 1924; another says it contains $1 million in gold ore), there’s no disputing the fact that the 75-mile stretch of scenic highway known as Million Dollar Highway is a breathtaking journey through the majestic mountain passes of western Colorado. Crossing part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, and following route U.S. 550 between the old mining towns of Silverton and Ouray, the route’s twists and turns wend high above the Red Mountain Pass – an 11,018-foot-high collapsed volcano whose lava flow was found to contain gold in 1860 – and past the deep Uncompahgre Gorge, into which flow several waterfalls. As you continue to slice through the mountainside, winding along hairpin switchbacks (which tend to lack guardrails) and following old stagecoach paths, this route bears witness to the area’s now-defunct mining operations; you can even stop in Silverton to admire the town’s historic Victorian style buildings, some of which date back to 1874. That said, the real beauty of this trip is its elevated "million dollar" sights: Stunning views of the never-ending country-side, landscapes of springtime wildflowers, and vast terrain where elk, mountain goats, black bears, and deer roam freely – truly the picture-postcard image of the great American outdoors.

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