Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 112 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour worth booking?
Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour is a 2-hour experience in Durango, United States, from $17 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 112 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (112)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $17 per person
Recommended: Purchase one tour per vehicle. Everyone can listen at the same time! Strikeout for the wild west with this self-guided driving tour of Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway. This remote, jaw-dropping stretch of roadway was once the site of booming mining towns and railroad tycoons. Today, it’s a totally unique blend of jaw-dropping natural beauty and rugged western charm. But you’ll do more than just see the sights with this tour—you’ll also learn the wild history of this area, from boom to bust. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
What you get
About this experience
Recommended: Purchase one tour per vehicle. Everyone can listen at the same time! Strikeout for the wild west with this self-guided driving tour of Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway. This remote, jaw-dropping stretch of roadway was once the site of booming mining towns and railroad tycoons. Today, it’s a totally unique blend of jaw-dropping natural beauty and rugged western charm. But you’ll do more than just see the sights with this tour—you’ll also learn the wild history of this area, from boom to bust. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
What's included
Included
- Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
- Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
- Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
- Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
- Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
- Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
- One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
- Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
- Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
- Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Not included
- No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.
What you'll see and do
Durango
As you drive through Durango, you'll get acquainted with this fascinating town and the man who put it on the map: Otto Mears. Hear how Mears turned this from a ramshackle railroad camp into the bustling destination it is today. Note: The tour is over 72 miles long, with more than 51 audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
10 minutes here
Million Dollar Highway
Your northbound tour along the Million Dollar Highway begins in Durango. From here, you'll head north and discover why millions of people come from all over to visit this jaw-dropping stretch of highway.
Pass by without stopping
Animas River Trail
Along the way you'll pass the Animas River, a 126-mile tributary of the San Juan River. This gorgeous river may have a benign name now, but the first European explorer to find it gave it a much more chilling title.
10 minutes here
Pinkerton Hot Springs
Next up is Pinkerton Hot Springs, named after dairy agriculturist James Pinkerton, who built a resort and hotel by the springs which also functioned as an illegal speakeasy during prohibition! The resort is long gone, but the natural beauty of the hot springs remains.
Pass by without stopping
Baker's Bridge might be an unassuming landmark, but it holds major significance for classic movie buffs. This is the spot where Paul Newman and Robert Redford made their famous leap into the Animas River in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid!
10 minutes here
Haviland Lake
Haviland Lake State Park is a fantastic place to break up a long drive with a picnic or an icy swim. This picture-perfect lake is shaded by towering pines and offers great views of the Hermosa Cliffs beyond. It's also a no-wake lake undisturbed by larger motorboats.
10 minutes here
Molas Pass rises an incredible 10,910 feet above sea level, making it one of the highway's two highest mountain passes. Despite this elevation, it's also a famous landmark along an annual bicycle racing route! Skilled cyclists huff their way to the top, then ride gravity the rest of the way down.
10 minutes here
Pristine, peaceful, and very chilly, Molas Lake is one of the best places to view the San Juan Mountains and the Weminuche Wilderness. Formed by glaciers thousands of years ago, it's now an absolutely perfect picnic spot for the weary traveler.
10 minutes here
Silverton
Silverton might get its name from the precious metal once mined in its vicinity, but the history of this land dates back way before the arrival of miners and their mules. As you pass through, you'll get a glimpse into the history of the Ute tribe who once called this their home, and what happened to them when the mining rush began.
10 minutes here
Along your way, you'll pass the remains of Ironton. Once a booming mining town, built largely around the harvest of iron ore, Ironton is now one of many ghost towns which were left behind after mining operations in these mountains went bust. The last Ironton resident died in 1960.
10 minutes here
Bear Creek Falls is a dramatic, 200 foot cascading waterfall that is an absolute must-see along your route. If you're visiting in the fall, the autumn foliage makes this already impressive attraction even better.
5 minutes here
Ouray
In the final stretch of your tour, you'll enter the storied town of Ouray. Nicknamed "the Switzerland of America," this picturesque mountain town isn't just a pretty face. It's also packed with things to do! From ice parks to waterfalls, it's a place ripe for discovery.
5 minutes here
Ouray Ice Park
From December to March, the Ouray Ice Park offers wintery experiences for intrepid adventurers. The park's main attraction is an enormous ice wall created specifically for climbing.
Pass by without stopping
Box Canyon Waterfall & Park
Ouray's Box Canyon Falls Park is overflowing with cool scenery. Imposing canyon walls, great hiking trails, and scenic picnic spots define much of the park. But the main draw is the huge waterfall tumbling over the edge of the canyon, which you can view from below and above!
Pass by without stopping
Ouray's Historical District has beautifully preserved its roots as a 19th-century mining town. The district boasts plenty of picturesque Victorian-era homes and commercial structures, as well as a gorgeous opera house which was saved from the brink of demolition.
5 minutes here
The last stop along your tour is the Ouray Visitor's Center, a great place to get situated for a longer visit to this quaint little town. Your tour will conclude here.
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Durango
Start near the Ouray Visitor’s Center on US-550, with the Visitor’s Center and Hot Springs Park on your right. Head south toward Durango to begin your drive. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with nearby businesses. Audio plays automatically—check your email/text for details
Meeting point
Durango
Start on US-550 (Main Ave) in Durango, just before 17th St & Park Ave, with a gas station on your right. Head north toward Ouray to begin your drive. This is the suggested start. We’re not affiliated with nearby businesses. Audio plays automatically—check your email/text for setup details.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 4 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Guide With Action
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- NOTE: Check current road closures before you go.
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
- The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 112 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
112 verified traveler reviews for Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great companion guide for a challenging drive
We purchased the Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour. The tour was very informative. The only issue I had was that the drive is so challenging that I, as the driver, was too focused to really enjoy it. The amount of traffic was surprisingly high as well with many Class A motor homes towing vehicles! Yikes.
Response from the operator: Hi Bill, I’m happy that the tour added useful context to such a demanding drive! That route can require a lot of attention, so having the self-guided audio along for the scenery and history can be a helpful companion. If Colorado is still on your itinerary, my other driving tours are ready for the next leg. Happy exploring!
via Tripadvisor
Some useful information
Some interesting information and we learned several things. We had one really good stop at Andrews Lake and I would highly recommend stopping there, but several of the other stops mentioned in the tour were very difficult to find or inaccessible without a 4 x 4 vehicle - this was not indicated in the audio. A few times we had passed the site before the audio kicked in.
Response from the operator: Hi Kristine, thanks for letting me know - I’m glad you had a great time at Andrew Lake! I’d love to know which sections you had trouble with - I’m always looking to make my tours better. Please feel free to reach out to my support team or me anytime with suggestions or for live help setting up your tour.
via Tripadvisor
Loved It
Well worth the cost. Makes the trip enjoyable and educational. Can be a distraction from the sheer cliffs
Response from the operator: Cynthia, I’m so glad you loved it, and the audio stories helped keep your mind off those steep drop-offs! If you plan to return to Colorado, take a look at my Ultimate Colorado Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tours, which include the Mesa Verde National Park and the Garden of the Gods. Happy exploring!
via Viator
Scam
This was a total scam. We were not able to get the app while in Colorado. Phone number I called was bogus . the guy didn't know anything about this app. took the trip without the stops. Do not fall for this.
Response from the operator: Charlotte, after booking, I send an instruction email with the app setup details, and sometimes it lands in spam or junk, so could you please let me know if you received it? I’d also like to know whether you contacted my support team or Viator support, since my team can directly assist with the app and tour setup daily from 9 AM to 6 PM EST. If you still want to try the tour, I’d be happy to help you set it up; if you’ve already left the area, I can process a refund or offer a replacement tour.
via Viator
Best 20 bucks ever!
This was the BEST 20 bucks i have ever spent. Stopped at a lot of the points of interests and made a whole day trip of it. Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Brad, this review made my day! I’m so glad you enjoyed my tour. Hope you check out my other ones wherever you go to next. Happy exploring!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 39
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Guide With Action, who run 24 experiences we rank across 16 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 63.0.
See everything Guide With Action runsWhy this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Durango.
How much does Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour cost?
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Prices start at $17 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Durango usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Durango is not rushed.
Is Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 112 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Durango, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour?
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Around 39 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Durango can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Durango and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Durango within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Durango?
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Durango runs the Durango and Silverton narrow gauge steam railroad, Mesa Verde cliff dwelling tours, Animas River rafting, jeep trails and winter skiing at Purgatory. On Outty we rank every Durango experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Durango Half Day Rafting Trip - Lower Animas River, Durango Colorado - Rafting 1/4 Day, Durango 1/4 Day Rafting Trip - Lower Animas River. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Durango?
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May to October, with the railroad running year-round in shorter form. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Durango?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour?
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Included: Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour; Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help; Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included; Private tour experience for your family, in your own car; and Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips. Not included: No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour?
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Start near the Ouray Visitor’s Center on US-550, with the Visitor’s Center and Hot Springs Park on your right. Head south toward Durango to begin your drive. This is the suggested starting point. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Durango. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Million Dollar Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour?
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Across 112 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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