Discover Loveland Pass: Colorado's Highest Year-Round Mountain Road

Loveland Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,660m (12,007ft) above sea level, situated on the boundary between Summit and Clear Creek counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. It is said to be the highest road in the nation that is kept open year-round.

Loveland Pass

Where is Loveland Pass?

Situated high in the Rocky Mountains, on the Continental Divide in the Front Range west of Denver, in north-central Colorado, the pass is one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Is the road to Loveland Pass paved?

The road to the summit is fully paved. It's called U.S. Highway 6 (Loveland Pass Road). It's a challenging drive as the road hits an 11% maximum gradient through some of the ramps.

How long is Loveland Pass?

The road through the summit is 33km (20.5 miles) long, starting and ending on I-70. It runs from Loveland Ski Area to Silverthorne.

Why is it called Loveland Pass?

The pass was named for William A.H. Loveland, the president of the Colorado Central Railroad.

Is the road to Loveland Pass open?

The pass is well-known for its treacherous winter conditions and features many switchbacks with no guardrails. It is said to be the highest mountain pass in the country that regularly stays open during the winter season. However, the road is subject to frequent temporary closure during bad weather conditions, and chain restrictions are commonly imposed. A steep, steady 6.7% grade, along with numerous hairpin turns on either side, makes it difficult to snowplow the road regularly. There’s a high risk of avalanches near the summit.

Is Loveland Pass worth it?

Parking at the summit of the pass can be an issue since it is a favorite stop for summer tourists. It's tough to keep your eyes on the road with the surrounding mountain views, so make sure to take a break for pictures at the top of the pass. The pass can be very treacherous but also very beautiful if you allow yourself to take your eyes off the road for 1 or 2 seconds at a time.

Is the road to Loveland Pass scary?

In winter the road can be downright terrifying. The twisty road is considered especially treacherous during the winter months. Driving up over the pass is quite an experience. It is a fairly steep climb with hairpin turns and amazing views down into the valley of I-70 below. It can be a little scary though since most of the views are not blocked by a guardrail, and it is easy to imagine yourself careening down the mountain. Steep grades and tough weather conditions have made it the location for many unfortunate events throughout the past few decades. Just like there are many Titlemax reviews online, there are many reviews and personal experiences from drivers about dangerous roads like this one.

Is the road to Loveland Pass busy?

Drive with care, as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous drop-offs. Since March 1973, most traffic on nearby Interstate 70 has been able to avoid the pass by taking the Eisenhower Tunnel (a dual-bore, four-lane vehicular tunnel), but trucks measuring 13 feet 5 inches in height or more, or those hauling hazardous materials, have to take the high road, which is 800 feet above the tunnel