It forces 18-wheelers to descend steep 7% grades while dodging Texans in rental cars with bald tires. But the mountains aren't the only red zone. From the "stroad" intersections of Denver to the sheer cliffs of the San Juans, here are the roads you need to watch out for in 2026.
1. The "Gauntlet": I-70 (The Mountain Corridor)
This isn't just a highway; it is a weather system. The descent from the Continental Divide is a brake-burning nightmare.
The Danger Zone:
- The "Floyd Hill" Pinch: The area near Floyd Hill (Exit 244) is legendary. Traffic screams downhill at 75 mph only to hit a sharp curve that often freezes in the shade. It is a magnet for pileups.
- The Eisenhower Tunnel: Entering at 11,000 feet means you might drive in on dry pavement and exit into a blizzard. The "shock" of this transition causes spin-outs inside and immediately outside the tunnel.
- The "Runaway" Threat: If you see a semi-truck smoking on the descent into Silverthorne, stay away. The runaway truck ramps are used here more than almost anywhere else in the country.
2. The Intersection List: 2 Spots to Watch
Denver’s grid is designed for speed, not safety. The city’s wide boulevards are statistically deadlier than its highways.
A. Federal Boulevard (Denver)
If you ask any EMT in Denver where the danger is, they will say Federal.
- The Record: It consistently ranks as the deadliest street in the metro area, particularly for pedestrians.
- The Risk: It is a high-speed, six-lane "stroad" lined with bus stops and businesses. Drivers treating it like a highway (45+ mph) collide with people trying to cross to get to dinner.
- The "Cruising" Factor: On Sunday nights, the culture of cruising is strong, but it often mixes with drag racing, leading to high-speed collisions.
B. Powers Boulevard & Airport Road (Colorado Springs)
In the Springs, Powers Boulevard is the local headache.
- The Problem: It functions as a highway bypass but has stoplights.
- The Crash Pattern: Red-light running. Drivers trying to maintain highway speeds (55 mph) often blow through late yellow lights, causing severe T-bone crashes at the major intersections like Airport Rd and Barnes Rd.
3. The "White Knuckle" Drive: US-550 (The Million Dollar Highway)
While I-70 has the volume, US-550 in the San Juans has the fear factor.
- The Design: The stretch from Ouray to Silverton has no guardrails. None.
- The Reason: Snowplows need to push the snow off the cliff, and guardrails would trap it.
- The Risk: If you drift two feet to the right on "Red Mountain Pass," there is no recovery. It is a 1,000-foot drop.
- Local Rule: If you are the passenger, do not look down. If you are the driver, do not look at the scenery.
4. The Weather Monster: I-25 (Monument Hill)
The drive between Denver and Colorado Springs is usually boring, until it isn't.
- The Phenomenon: Monument Hill (7,352 ft).
- The Trap: It is the highest point on I-25. Rain in Denver and rain in the Springs often means heavy, wet snow on Monument Hill.
- The Result: Massive chain-reaction crashes occur here when drivers doing 75 mph hit the slush line and lose control instantly.
How to Survive the Drive
- Obey the Traction Law: On I-70, the "Passenger Vehicle Traction Law" is real. If you spin out with bald tires and block the highway, the fine is $650+.
- Stay Left on Federal: If you are driving Federal Blvd at night, stay in the center lanes to avoid cars suddenly pulling out of side streets.
- Gear Down on 550: Do not ride your brakes on the Million Dollar Highway. Use low gear. If your brakes fade, there is no shoulder to pull onto.
