Hoosier Pass: Highway 9

CO 9 · Breckenridge → Fairplay

Sweeping21 mi30 min2,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 11,500 ftOne way

Scan to drive it in CarvePoint a phone's camera here. It opens ready to drive.

Drive it in Carve, free

Opens this route in the app, or where to get it.

The drive

Hoosier Pass carries Highway 9 over the Continental Divide between Summit County and Park County. This drive starts in Breckenridge and heads south, so the climbing and the tight turns come first, on the north side. The summit is at about 11,500 feet, one of the higher paved passes in the state.

From the top the road drops to Alma and then on to Fairplay. At 21 miles and about 30 minutes, it's a short drive, and it works as a quick way between Breckenridge and the South Platte side of the mountains.

Along the way

Breckenridge
Hoosier Pass
Alma
Fairplay

Elevation

2,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 11,500 ft

BreckenridgeFairplay

Curves

Mostly gentle, with two twisty stretches

mi 6–8mi 8–10

BreckenridgeFairplay

GentleHairpins

Good to know

Highway 9 stays open all year, but winter storms and crashes can close it for hours. Check COtrip before you go.
Chain and traction laws can be in effect in winter; CDOT has built a chain-up station on the Alma side.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check CDOT COtrip.

Questions about this drive

How long does Hoosier Pass take to drive?

Breckenridge to Fairplay over Hoosier Pass on Highway 9 is 21 miles and takes about 30 min in good conditions.

Is Hoosier Pass open in winter?

Yes. Highway 9 over Hoosier Pass is plowed and open all year, though storms and crashes close it at times.

How high is Hoosier Pass?

Hoosier Pass is about 11,500 feet on the Continental Divide. Sources give figures from 11,532 to 11,542 feet.

How twisty is Hoosier Pass?

Hoosier Pass is mostly gentle, with two twisty stretches, and the switchbacks are on the Breckenridge side of the climb.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.

Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.

Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.

Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.

Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.

Record your drivesAPEXRecord a drive and turn it into a route to drive again or share.

Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.

Download on theApp Store Early access onGoogle Play

More drives near here

All 42 drives in Colorado ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

+ Plan a new route