Montrose

Driving in Montrose is straightforward thanks to a compact street grid centered on Main Street and Townsend Avenue and quick connections to U S highways that fan toward canyon overlooks, mesa lakes, and plateau forests. The city positions travelers as a hub for scenic loops, so day trips to national park viewpoints, red rock valleys, and mountain towns start within minutes of downtown. Maps and local advice are available at the Visitor Center in the heart of town, which helps visitors choose routes and parking for downtown walks.

The river corridor makes soft travel easy. A concrete path known locally as the Uncompahgre Riverway Trail runs the length of town and ties neighborhoods to Baldridge, Riverbottom, and Cerise parks as well as to the Water Sports Park. Recent work funded through a state initiative added underpasses so people can follow the trail without crossing the highway or Main Street, which keeps rides and walks safe and stress-free. City trail maps and an interactive bike map show connections from the recreation center to the river and on toward the outdoor business district, with parking lots located at multiple access points.

Flying in and out is convenient. Montrose Regional Airport provides direct service in summer and expanded nonstops during ski season, and recent expansion added paved parking to handle growing passenger numbers. Rental cars and shuttles operate from the terminal for onward travel into town or to nearby resorts.

Electric drivers can top up downtown. A public fast charge site near North First Street and North Uncompahgre Avenue includes Tesla Superchargers and dual-platform fast chargers, and the city maintains a free level two charger by Centennial Plaza.

Local buses are provided by All Points Transit, a nonprofit public operator that serves the general public along with seniors and riders with disabilities. In town, routes such as the Townsend Express and the Main Street Shuttle connect shopping areas, civic sites, and the downtown transfer point, with published maps, fares, and passes. A regional option called the MOD Express links Montrose with Olathe and Delta and now serves the airport, which helps travelers make car-free connections. For broader statewide links, the Bustang Outrider network operates regional coach service that connects western slope communities and offers mobile ticketing, onboard Wi-Fi, and real time alerts.

Downtown blocks are compact with crosswalks and storefronts set close to the sidewalk, making it easy to explore on foot. Paved paths trace the Uncompahgre in the Baldridge park complex and link parks, the water sports park, and neighborhoods. The community has earned recognition for bicycle friendliness and continues to add connections known locally as the connect trail, including river underpasses that avoid high traffic crossings.