Colorado’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster — and How to Survive Them
By someone who’s lived more out of a bug-out bag than most folks live in their own homes…
I’ve driven everything from the salt flats of Bolivia to the frozen mud tracks in Siberia. But there’s something uniquely challenging about Colorado’s roads—especially when the sky turns black, the cell towers go down, and panic is in the air. Beautiful as this state is, it’s got some of the worst roads to navigate in a crisis. Whether you’re dealing with wildfire, blizzard, flood, or mass evacuation, knowing which roads to avoid—and how to drive like your life depends on it—can make all the difference.
Let’s start with Colorado’s danger zones.
Top Colorado Roads to Avoid During a Disaster
- I-70 Through the Rockies (especially near Vail Pass and Eisenhower Tunnel)
When the weather shifts, this artery becomes an icy death trap. Avalanches, blinding snow, or even mass pileups can shut it down within minutes. It’s steep, curvy, and often jammed. - US-550 (The Million Dollar Highway)
This stretch from Ouray to Silverton offers breathtaking views and terrifying cliff-edge driving. Zero guardrails. One mistake in snow, rain, or panic traffic, and you’re tumbling hundreds of feet. - CO-93 Between Boulder and Golden
Wind-prone and narrow, this road gets overwhelmed during wildfires or evacuations. The winds here can blow cars sideways. - I-25 Between Colorado Springs and Denver
Flat, yes—but completely paralyzed during emergencies. One disabled car and you’re gridlocked for hours. It’s also prime territory for sudden hailstorms and tornado threats. - Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park
When open, it’s the highest paved road in the U.S. But during a disaster, altitude sickness, unpredictable weather, and exposure make it a gamble not worth taking. - CO-14 Through Poudre Canyon
Flash floods love this area. Roads erode quickly, and landslides are common. Once blocked, help is miles away. - Highway 36 to Estes Park
Heavily trafficked by tourists, with limited escape routes. Wildfire or road collapse here turns the whole area into a trap. - Wolf Creek Pass on US-160
Fog, black ice, and steep grades make this one of the most lethal mountain passes. Tractor-trailers tip here regularly, even on good days. - US-24 Near Leadville
High elevation means thinner air, unpredictable storms, and increased vehicle stress. Don’t count on your engine loving this one under pressure. - County Roads Near Durango and Telluride
Scenic but narrow, many are unpaved with sheer drops and no shoulders. GPS often gets it wrong, too.
15 Survival Driving Skills That Could Save Your Life
When disaster hits and you’re behind the wheel, raw experience matters. Here are 15 survival driving skills that have kept me breathing:
- Off-Road Recovery
Know how to rock your vehicle out of mud or snow without digging yourself deeper. Lower tire pressure, dig out clearance, and use floor mats for traction. - Engine Braking on Steep Descents
Don’t ride your brakes. Use low gear to control speed on declines, especially with heavy loads or towing. - Driving Without GPS
Memorize the terrain. Print maps. In a disaster, cell service and navigation apps will likely fail. - Navigating Smoke or Fog
Use low beams, avoid high beams which reflect back, and crack windows to listen for vehicles or danger. - River and Flood Navigation
Never cross a flooded road you can’t see the bottom of—but if you must, unbuckle, roll windows down, and go slow in low gear to avoid water entering your exhaust. - Driving in Whiteout Conditions
Stay within tire tracks if visible. Keep eyes on road edges. Slow down. No sudden moves. - Pushing a Disabled Vehicle Alone
Learn how to use gravity, terrain, or leverage tools like a Hi-Lift jack to move your car when solo. - Handling Panic Traffic
Avoid main arteries. Know side streets and utility roads. Timing is everything—leave early or don’t leave at all. - Night Driving Without Headlights
Practice it. Keep a red-light flashlight to preserve night vision. It’s sometimes needed in stealth scenarios. - Hotwiring Older Vehicles (pre-2000s)
Not for criminal use—but when SHTF, and your car dies, knowing how to jumpstart an old truck can save lives. - Manual Navigation Using Topography
Read the land. Ridges, valleys, river systems—all help you reorient when your compass is shot or you’re lost. - Fuel Scavenging Etiquette
Always keep a siphon kit. Know which vehicles have anti-siphon valves and how to work around them. - Reading Vehicle Temp and Warning Signs
Know when to stop. An overheating engine or failing brakes in the mountains = death sentence. - Driving with One Tire Flat or Busted
Yes, it’s ugly. But you can limp 2–5 miles if you have to. Cut speed, balance load. - DIY Traction Mods
Carry sand, kitty litter, or traction boards. Also, you can chain up with rope or even zip ties in a pinch (short-term only).
3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You’re Out of Gas
Out of fuel in the Colorado high country? Here’s what I’ve done when my tank hit E in the worst places imaginable:
- Alcohol-Based Fire Starter Fuel
If you’ve got high-proof alcohol or even some antiseptic (over 70% isopropyl), you can mix it with fuel residue in the tank and get just enough volatility to sputter down a hill or to safety. Only use in emergencies. It’s hard on the engine—but better than freezing to death. - Gravity Glide from High Elevation
Lost fuel at altitude? Put your rig in neutral or low gear and use gravity to coast downhill for miles. You’d be amazed how far a heavy vehicle will roll if you plan your escape route wisely. Don’t forget brakes still need vacuum power—use it wisely. - Scavenge Gas from Lawn Equipment and ATVs
Cabins, shacks, and garages often have old fuel cans for chainsaws or snowmobiles. It’s dirty fuel—but a coffee filter and a funnel can get you enough clean stuff to make it to town.
Final Thoughts from a Road-Worn Survivor
Driving during a disaster is not just about getting from Point A to B—it’s about keeping calm under pressure, improvising when the odds are against you, and knowing when to ditch the vehicle altogether. Trust your instincts. Carry extra of everything. And never underestimate Colorado’s terrain—she’s got a way of testing your resolve when you least expect it.
I’ve seen wildfires outrun semis, hail the size of fists break windshields, and snow traps that sealed people into their trucks for 48 hours. Respect the land, prep like your life depends on it—because out here, it does.
TheDailyChristian 