Aspen vs Vail vs Breckenridge: Which Colorado Town to Visit? The cheapest way to get from Denver to Durango is to drive which costs 75,000-120,000 and takes 6h 33m. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! So, pack your bags, fasten your seatbelts, and get ready to hit the road on this Denver to Durango loop road trip! When beginning your Denver to Durango road trip, you have two routes to choose from. Monument to fallen snowplow drivers. Powerhouse Science Center, formerly the The Durango Discovery Museum, is an interactive science center located in Durango, Colorado. Which route is the best? Last updated: 1 Mar 2023 A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. If you drive that route without stops it app.takes 6 hours. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! Durango to Denver - 7 ways to travel via train, shuttle, car - Rome2rio Prices start at 117,500 per night. The most straightforward choice for the least amount of time on the road is to simply take I-70 West out of Denver, which is the only main highway you need to follow on this drive until making an exit at Highway 9 just 10 to 15 minutes before you arrive at Breckenridge. Instead, I'm proposing driving from Montrose to Cortez, with a stop in Telluride on the way. Apart from being the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte is where mountain biking got its start in Colorado. My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The small town of Bailey is about 25 minutes from Tiny Town at the bottom of a steep incline just as 285 bends and begins to trace a path along the North Fork of the South Platte River. Or, Highway 285 to 160 is more scenic and has mountains but is not scary. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? The longer one (I-25 south, US160 west) involves faster driving and more traffic. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75869024', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver Airport and we are supposed to go to Durango by car. We tackled this whole itinerary in 3 nights but you would be better served to spend at least double that amount of time. What kind of rental car do I need & are there places I should not drive a rental car? While skiers and riders will often go to great lengths to get to the mountains on a powder day, its important to drive carefully along this steep and winding alpine road. What are the roads like, and what do I need to know about driving in Colorado? However, if youre looking to check out something completely different but equally awesome in Colorado, you cant go wrong with a day trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Drive to Colorado Springs on Interstate 25 and on through Pueblo to Walsenburg where you'll take Hwy 160 west. Hiking, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, and off-roading are all staple activities here in our hometown. Truckers are required to have chains and passenger vehicles must have either snow tires, mud/snow tires, chains, or an alternative device like an autosock. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. Plus, Durangos wild west and mining history give it such a distinguished and quirky character. If youre hiking with children or just dont enjoy exposure to steep drop-offs, then its recommended to do the out-at-back version. I will try to go the route thru the Great Sand Dunes. Before heading out, visit cotrip.org for the latest road conditions and closures. Finally, youll make a left onto CO-115 N for 30 miles into Colorado Springs. This calculation assumes that your vehicle gets an average gas mileage of 25 mpg . The drive time from Ouray to Durango is approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Use this list as a springboard to get ideas for stops ranging from national parks and monuments to natural hot springs and quirky tourist attractions that youll find along the way. You know what? Thank you :) ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75869024', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver Airport and we are supposed to go to Durango by car. Montrose and The Million Dollar Highway - ROAD TRIP USA It serves as one of the main routes to Colorado's ski country including Vail, Aspen, Winter Park, Keystone, and Breckenridge. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. It's a fairly long drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you'll have the time try to visit both Colorado Springs (Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods etc.) Anyone driven from Denver to Aspen? | Timeshare Users Group Discussion The winter-weary Northeast and upper Midwest were digging out Saturday from heavy snowfall while cleanup began in battered parts of the South and Midwest after a sprawling storm system produced . A third route (I-70 west, CO91 south, US24 south, US285 south, US160 west; this is through Leadville) is yet more scenic, partly because of its high mountain sections. Answer 1 of 6: My friends and I are coming from Europe to Denver Airport and we are supposed to go to Durango by car. Is this a summer trip or a winter trip? This somewhat low-key park is simply jaw-dropping. As always, travel safe and enjoy the views! $109 Cheap Flights from Denver to Durango - Orbitz Click here to browse other private rentals. Colorado State Patrol is increasing its watch along the Western Slope, where it says the roads have become the most dangerous place to drive in Colorado during July. It is located between I-70 and Keystone, offering an alternative route to I-70 and the Eisenhower Tunnel. It takes approximately 6h 33m to drive from Denver to Durango. Here are some of the most worthwhile pit stops on the way from Denver to Durango: In Durango, you can marvel at the Anasazi ruins in Mesa Verde National Park, schuss down the slopes at Purgatory Resort, or go hiking through the San Juan National Forest. Loveland Pass Summit in Winter. 10 Best Stops on a Denver to Durango Drive - The World Was Here First One reason you might choose to take the I-25 route from Denver to Durango would be if youd rather minimize the mountain driving on winding, less-maintained roads. Sand Dunes are great fun. What about Mine Tours and Mining Museums? Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. Success! Not much to recommend for food along the way. Camping, backpacking, and hiking opportunities abound in this area once the snow melts in the summertime. The reason why it's so long is because there is no direct bus service between the two cities. Breckenridge, Vail, Steamboat, or Estes Park for summer? The 160 to 285 would be the fastest. While the quickest route between these two cities would take a fast driver 12 hours to complete without stopping, we suggest taking it slow and enjoying everything there is to see on the way. Prices and availability are subject to change. 10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. 4:17 pm arrive in Durango. A third route (I-70 west, CO91 south, US24 south, US285 south, US160 west; this is through Leadville) is yet more scenic, partly because of its high mountain sections. First, head Southwest on US Hwy 285 S, which you'll stay on for about 130 miles. This is a great introduction to Colorados famous fourteeners and provides extraordinary views thatll redefine what you classify as a scenic byway.. Main Avenue Historic District in Durango, Colorado is a 34acre historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Million Dollar Highway is a scenic section of the US-550 highway which runs north to south. We have done the drive (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It ends in Durango, Colorado. Need we say more? From there, make a right onto US-550 S, which will take you into Ouray after just over 36 miles. Cortez is 50 miles away from Durango, while Telluride is 110 miles away. Thank you :) The train route links Silverton and Durango, and you can even book a seat in a private car. By Jeremy P. Meyer | jpmeyer@denverpost.com | The Denver Post. This is one town that has definitely earned its nickname as its surrounded by more than a dozen fourteeners. The small roadside town of South Fork marks a point of transition where the Rio Grande River begins to shift from its high alpine origins in National Forest land and flow down toward flatter lands in New Mexico and beyond. If youre looking to stretch your legs and get a good hike in while in Creede, the locals recommend checking out the Up and Over trail. One absolute must-do activity is hiking the Ouray Perimeter Trail. The direct drive from Denver to Durango is 382 mi (614 km), and should have a drive time of 7 hrs 21 mins in normal traffic. 13 Best Stops on the Denver to Las Vegas Drive - Divergent Travelers Not much to recommend for food along the way. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75890404', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pagosa Springs are the only 2 I hit along the route. Can you please describe the San Juan Skyway/Million $ Hwy/Red Mtn. There are 115+ hotels available in Durango. Along the way, possibly stop in Fairplay, see a reconstructed mining town called South Park City. In addition to Pagosas famous hot springs, theres also whitewater rafting along the Piedra River, great hiking and biking trails, and more fascinating ruins to check out at Chimney Rock National Monument. It is impossible to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Thank you :) The views of the Rocky Mountain landscape here are impressive at any time of the year, but this is an especially good stop if visiting during the winter when you can enjoy the contrast between the calming hot spring waters and the snowy peaks and surroundings. Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Durango, Holiday Inn & Suites Durango Downtown, an IHG Hotel, Denver to Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, Glendale Los Angeles County CA USA to Durango CO USA, Petrified Forest National Park to Durango CO USA, There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres. and Great Sand. Roadtrip from SoCal to Mt Rushmore thru Colorado, Best Western Plus Deer Park Hotel And Suites. Have any questions about any of these stops? If not, the area works just fine as a pretty place to drive through. Instead of following US-50 W all the way to Montrose, take a right onto CO-92 W for approximately 70 miles until you reach Delta. Travel along this high alpine road is strongly discouraged amid snow, freezing temperatures, and blowing snow. Durango is in southwest Colorado. This is the route Google Maps will give you. The drive from Salida to Crested Butte takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Colorado Trail - Backpacking Routes Denver to Durango - Colorado Forum - Tripadvisor The scenic section that we refer to as the Million Dollar Highway is the 25-mile section between Ouray and Silverton, then from Silverton to Durango the scenic road technically becomes the San Juan Skyway. Monarch Pass in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. But assuming youre confident in your car and overall conditions, the Denver to Durango scenic drive down 285 South that also connects with US 160 at Del Norte is the way to go. Portions of I-70 often close due to severe weather conditions. 4. level 2. Some of the road trip highlights include stops in Frisco, Ouray, Buena Vista, or Pagosa Hot Springs, each of which offers plenty of outdoor adventure. When winter weather strikes, motorists are often advised to avoid taking I-25 from Castle Rock to Colorado Springs, particularly in the Monument Hill area where harsh weather tends to hit the hardest. Lots of good food in Durango. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75870199', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver to Durango so I hope you aren't planning to drive it on the same day you arrive. Getting there is through beautiful, mountainous country, but mountainous roads and I believe some white.