Rides & Insurance
Cody Huggins Rides the Million Dollar Highway
Texas roots. Colorado curves. An annual motorcycle tradition with our UM/UIM insurance specialist.
Explore the Ride
Meet the Rider
Cody Huggins: Insurance Knowledge, Miles in the Saddle
There is something special about a ride that earns a permanent place on the calendar. For Cody Huggins, our UM/UIM insurance specialist, that tradition is an annual motorcycle trip from Texas to Colorado and the unforgettable Million Dollar Highway.
You may recognize Cody from our UM/UIM Insurance Agent Q&A Interview. This time, we’re sharing another side of him: the rider who makes the journey north for mountain roads and a change of scenery.
His annual trip brings two subjects together that belong in every rider’s plans: where the next adventure will take you and whether your insurance is ready for the miles ahead.
Check the motorcycle. Plan the route. Review your coverage. Then give yourself time to enjoy the ride.
01 / The Ride
What Is the Million Dollar Highway?
The famous stretch follows U.S. Highway 550 for approximately 25 miles between Silverton and Ouray in southwestern Colorado. It climbs through the San Juan Mountains and crosses Red Mountain Pass at roughly 11,000 feet.
That short distance packs in tight curves, steep grades, exposed drop-offs, and mountain views that make this a destination in its own right. Some sections lack guardrails. This is a road to approach with attention and respect.
Why the name? Stories range from construction costs to the value of ore in the road’s fill. The origin is debated; the views are an easier thing to agree on. Read more in Visit Durango’s Million Dollar Highway guide.
02 / Make Time to Explore
Mountain Towns, Mining History & Places to Unwind
Build some time off the motorcycle into your plans. These places along the route and its southern approach give riders reasons to stay longer.
Silverton
Historic mining-era buildings and a mountain setting make Silverton a natural place to pause. Walk downtown, get a meal, and explore the area’s mining history before continuing.
Red Mountain Pass
Red-colored slopes and remnants of the mining era frame this high-elevation section. Enjoy the scenery only from legal, safe stopping areas; keep your attention on the road while moving.
Ouray
At the northern end, Ouray offers a historic downtown and mountain surroundings. The Ouray Hot Springs Pool is an option for a relaxing break from the saddle.
Durango & the Southern Approach
South of Silverton, Durango offers dining, lodging, and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The U.S. 550 approach crosses Coal Bank and Molas passes before reaching Silverton.
These are ideas for planning your own trip, rather than a list of Cody’s personal stops. Check attraction hours and availability before heading out.
03 / Beyond the Famous Stretch
Turn the Ride Into a Colorado Getaway
The Million Dollar Highway is part of the larger San Juan Skyway. Riders with additional time can build an itinerary through towns such as Ridgway, Telluride, Dolores, and Cortez before returning toward Durango.
Explore the official San Juan Skyway guide for the wider route and attractions. Give the trip room to breathe: a shorter riding day can leave time for a walk, a meal, or an extra night in a town you want to explore.
04 / Before You Leave Texas
Prepare for the Miles and the Mountains
A trip from Texas to Colorado asks more of your planning than an afternoon loop close to home. Leave flexibility in your schedule so weather, fatigue, or a road closure does not become pressure to keep riding.
- Check the bike. Inspect tires, brakes, lights, fluids, and luggage security before departure.
- Pack for changing temperatures. Bring layers and rain gear; high-country weather can feel very different from the weather where you started.
- Watch the forecast. Summer thunderstorms and high-elevation snow or ice can change the day’s plan.
- Ride your own pace. Leave space, respect posted speeds, and give yourself room to respond to gravel, traffic, or tightening curves.
- Plan breaks. Carry water, identify fuel stops, and avoid arriving at an unfamiliar mountain road already exhausted.
- Check conditions before each riding day. Use COtrip for Colorado closures, construction, and travel impacts.
The road will still be there if you need to wait out weather or change your plans. A great trip includes getting home.
05 / The Insurance Connection
Before the Big Ride, Take a Look at UM/UIM
Cody’s annual ride is a timely reason to revisit the coverage conversation. You can prepare your motorcycle and ride carefully, but you cannot choose how much insurance another driver carries.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can help when an at-fault driver has no liability insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can help when that driver’s available liability coverage is insufficient for covered damages. Payment depends on the policy’s terms, limits, exclusions, and the facts of the claim.
Liability insurance and UM/UIM serve different purposes. Do not assume a policy described as “full coverage” includes everything you need, or that coverage on a car automatically protects you while riding a motorcycle.
For background, see the Texas Department of Insurance’s explanation of UM/UIM coverage. For a review of your own motorcycle policy, ask your agent what is included and how it applies to your planned trip.
Read Cody’s UM/UIM Q&AYour Pre-Trip Coverage Conversation
Questions to Ask Your Insurance Agent
- Does this motorcycle have UM/UIM coverage, and what are the bodily injury and property damage limits?
- How does the policy cover me and a passenger on a trip outside Texas?
- What deductibles, exclusions, or claim requirements should I understand?
- Are my accessories, riding gear, and luggage covered, and under which coverage?
- Does roadside assistance include motorcycle towing, and what distance limits apply?
Keep your insurance information and claims contact details accessible during the trip. A few questions before departure are easier to handle than discovering a coverage gap far from home.
A Ride Worth Putting on the Calendar
Cody’s Texas-to-Colorado tradition captures something many riders understand: the anticipation is part of the experience. A route to plan, a bike to get ready, and a stretch of road you look forward to seeing again.
If the Million Dollar Highway is on your list, give it the time and preparation it deserves. And for your next adventure closer to home, explore our Best Motorcycle Rides in Texas.
