Along the north side of town the road turns slightly northeastward as it passes through the northern Rifle and into grassland,[2] where it intersects State Highway 325.

SH 13 then interchanges with State Highway 64, which meets its east end here, and turns abruptly eastward.

Following several miles of barren land north of Meeker, SH 13 exits the White River Valley and enters mountainous terrain.

Near Hamilton, the route's next destination, the road meets State Highway 317 and turns slightly northwestward.

After a distance winding through barren land, the road reaches Craig, where it meets U.S. Highway 40 and begins a short concurrency through the city.