How Do You Define the Million Dollar Highway?

The Million Dollar Highway is a mountainous, scenic section of US 550 that unites Ouray, CO, in the north with Silverton in the south. It’s one of the most popular motorcycling roads in the country, thanks to its stupendous views and challenging curves.

With all that in mind, it’s strange how much confusion there is about where the name comes from—or even how long the road is.

The Million Dollar Highway forms a part of the San Juan Skyway, which meanders through its eponymous mountains. The “Million Dollar” title sometimes gets tagged to its entire 235-mile length, but that’s simply incorrect. The San Juan Skyway is its own beast.

In the strictest terms, the Million Dollar Highway covers only the 12-mile mountain pass section south of Ouray, terminating at the Red Mountain Overlook. Yet, the most popular definition (and the one pushed by local tourism agencies) covers the 25 miles between Ouray and Silverton.

Then there’s the name. Some people say the moniker comes from the exorbitant cost of paving this snaking mountain road, with the bill running about $1 million per mile.

Another theory claims that the name stems from the road’s million-dollar views. And finally we have the story of local drivers saying they wouldn’t brave the steep, guardrail-less road unless you paid them a million dollars.

What’s certain, however, is that you’ll find astounding views and twisties on the Million Dollar Highway, no matter how far you ride along it. Majestic, forested mountains and cliffs rise on all sides, immersing you in the rugged Colorado terrain.