10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. Not much to recommend for food along the way. A Mapped Guide to the Ultimate Colorado Road Trip: Part II A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is Brush Creek. Read on for more about how best to plan for a trip from Denver to Durango with some opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and sightseeing along the way. The total cost of driving from Denver, CO to Durango, CO (one-way) is $53.28 at current gas prices. It may be a bit random and unexpected, but thats what makes Great Sand Dunes National Park so awesome! 10 Best Stops on a Denver to Moab Road Trip. Raft trips in the canyon can be booked through several outfitters based out of Salida and the surrounding area, such as Browns Canyon Rafting, KODI Rafting, Noahs Ark, and several others. Youll also get to take on thrilling class III rapids at Durangos exciting whitewater park. 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. From Durango, we flew back to Denver, instead of driving back. American Airlines also offers flights to Durango, but they require you to first stop in Phoenix, which means it will take at least 4 hours to arrive. Maybe see http://www.mapquest.com for that. Denver to Durango - Colorado Forum - Tripadvisor Anyone driven from Denver to Aspen? | Timeshare Users Group Discussion This nationally-protected area consists of more than 30 square miles of massive dunes and is a must-stop for travelers nearing the latter portion of their Denver to Durango road trip. Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! I took a GPS with me to attach in the rental car. All three cross Wolf Creek Pass on US160, which is truly scary only if your brakes fail on the way down. From Sand Dunes, head west on US160 over Wolf Creek Pass to Pagosa. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. Pass in SW CO? And if budget is a factor in your trip planning and you're looking for the cheapest way to travel, you could take a Greyhound bus to Durango. Which route is the best? Stops and things to do on Colorado Springs to Durango drive - Wanderlog It is well located, there are a number of plush rooms available, and the breakfast included uses dairy products sourced from the propertys own goats! If youve never gone mountain biking before, then this is a perfect place to try it out. Instead, you will have to first take the bus from Denver to Grand Junction, Colorado and then hop on a second bus heading to Durango. Now I am thinking of taking another route. The Million Dollar Highway is a scenic section of the US-550 highway which runs north to south. PUBLISHED: June 26, 2012 at 3:07 p.m. | UPDATED: June 9, 2016 at 11:15 a.m. A three-day-old wildfire erupted with catastrophic fury . Another route, is to take US285 sw from Denver toward Buena Vista and then south to Great Sand Dunes. At this park, you can either take an easy day to drive to the scenic lookouts, or you can book a permit to take the steep hike down to the canyon floor and Gunnison river. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Thank you :) 4:17 pm arrive in Durango. Two-wheel drive cars can certainly make this gravel-road route, but its recommended to drive the loop backwards if your vehicle isnt great off-road. Not quite what youre looking for? Every month, almost a million vehicles travel the 100 miles on Interstate 70 between Denver and Vail, Colorado. We know what youre thinking: sand dunes in Colorado? If you want to shop around for the cheapest fares, you can compare flights flying to other airports in Southwest Colorado like the Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) or the Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ), but that will require you to drive the rest of the way. You want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. The next best thing to do on a visit to Colorado Springs is to head up to Pikes Peak. If natural disasters happen to occur, travelers are often rerouted between Ridgway and Durango over Lizard Head Pass a much longer route. If you don't have time to board the train, it's worth it to at least pay a visit to the railroad museum in Durango. Are you planning to drive from Denver to Durango? One of the defining features of the Penitente Canyon area is a natural arch, sometimes called La Ventana (the window in Spanish), which anyone seeking to venture further into this area should prioritize. Each flight takes about an hour, so this is definitely the fastest way to get from Denver to Durango. Apart from being the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte is where mountain biking got its start in Colorado. Thank you :) Grand Junction To Dinosaur Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The 7 most dangerous winter roads in Colorado I-70 mountain travel has its hiccups due to a combination of factors including traffic congestion, steep grades, accidents, and wild weather causing slick roads and other hazards like that one time an avalanche covered the highway (video link). He lives in Colorado and also works as a fly fishing guide and instructor when not editing or writing. Thank you :) What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms when I arrive in Durango? No trip to the area should skip it in my opinion. Prices starting at $219 for return flights and $109 for one-way flights to Durango were the cheapest prices found within the past 7 days, for the period specified. Other points of interest include feeding the fish at the Wildlife Museum's fish hatchery, going kayaking on the Animas River, or stopping in at Animas Brewing Company to try the latest batch of beer. Taking I-25 adds something like 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, and will take you past the flatter, more populated areas of Colorado Springs and Pueblo. The drive from Denver, Colorado, to Las Vegas, Nevada, is a drive of epic proportions. For photographers, taking photos of the sunset from atop one of the dunes is an unforgettable experience. It's a fairly long drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 10 Best Stops on a Denver to Durango Drive - The World Was Here First Stroll the shops, restaurants and hotels housed in Durango's preserved late-19th-century buildings and board the railroad for a super-scenic, 45-mile detour to Silverton. The cheapest way to get from Denver to Durango is to drive which costs 75,000-120,000 and takes 6h 33m. Transportation and Shuttle Services - Purgatory Resort Denver to Pagosa Springs - Durango Forum - Tripadvisor Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. You have permission to edit this article. And as this road trip tends to take only about six to six and a half hours, its easy to pull off in a single day with plenty of time for some stops near the highway. You can also fly from Denver to Durango, if all this seems to be too much. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Just across the valley from Penitente Canyon is the Great Sand Dunes National Park, one of Americas most fascinating natural phenomena. I'd judge the least "scary" of the three to be I-25/US160. If you are traveling to Durango by bus, prepare for a long ride of at least 12 hours. It serves as one of the main routes to Colorado's ski country including Vail, Aspen, Winter Park, Keystone, and Breckenridge. Well-located in central Durango, they have a range of rooms available to suit all kinds of visitors even allow pets if youre traveling with a four-legged friend! Hikers and skiers often use the route for accessing backcountry terrain, as well as Arapahoe Basin Resort. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. Cortez is 50 miles away from Durango, while Telluride is 110 miles away. Then, make a right onto CO-149 N and follow that for 22 miles until you reach Creede. I assume you understand that any route you take will be. Prices and availability are subject to change. Monument to fallen snowplow drivers. The journey from Crested Butte to Ouray will take approximately 2.5 hours. Lodging for 2 nights in Estes park in mid May, Where to stay near Union Station if using Red Rocks shuttle. One absolute must-do activity is hiking the Ouray Perimeter Trail. The quickest flight from Denver Airport to Durango Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 19m. I routinely make the trip via 285 and it is much shorter and beautiful. Click here to see their availability, Siesta Motel If youre looking for some more budget-friendly accommodation options, then this motel is a geat choice. Lots of good food in Durango. Which route is the best? To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. From there, turn left onto US-50 E which will take you into Montrose where you can resume the normal route along US-550 S. This detour will add approximately 80 minutes to your drive time. If youre passing through outside of ski season, Monarch is still worth a stop thanks to the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway thats open from May through the fall. Not far from the New Mexico border, Durango is actually closer to Albuquerque than Denver, with 215 miles between them. If youre looking for both the most scenic and time-efficient route for a Denver to Durango drive, with plenty of opportunities for fun, interesting stops in between, then the roughly six-hour trajectory down US 285 is by far the best option. 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. Thank you :) ), we woke up early and hit the road for what was a 2-hour drive to Grand Junction. Driving from Denver to Durango? - Colorado Message Board - Tripadvisor If playing it safe during times of the year with bad weather is your goal, it might make sense to take the longer route down I-25 and on to US 160 at Walsenburg. There will be some mountain driving whichever route you take, but there's no need to be scared. 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. Colorado Scenic Byway: Tracks Across Borders | Colorado.com A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. 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. BTW also Mapquest gives the route Casa said but mentioned 5 hours. Although its fine to just drive through this small town, if you have an extra day or two on your trip, we recommend spending it in Pagosa Springs. Denver Area Road Trip I would say the "scariest" would be to take US160 over Wolf Creek pass - especially in winter.. It is a 7 hour plus drive, not counting any stops. Camping, backpacking, and hiking opportunities abound in this area once the snow melts in the summertime. From there you'll make a left onto CO 291 S which will take you into Salida after eight miles. Located 60 miles west of Denver, this incredible highway is the highest paved road in North America. Let us know in the comments! Durango is in southwest Colorado. Its a lengthy stretch, but it also takes you through some of Colorados most spectacular wilderness areas, adventurous mountain towns, and exciting cities. Have fun, please forgive us our little OT chat. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75890236', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pagosa Springs are the only 2 I hit along the route. The surrounding area is also brimming with National Forest areas and hiking trails with dispersed camping and car camping options in good supply, so this is a good area to consider when thinking about spending a night on the road in the mild weather of late spring, summer, and early fall. After passing the Antero Junction, Mount Princeton Hot Springs is a short detour west down Chalk Creek Drive from Nathrop and Browns Canyon National Monument just as your drive has started to meet with the Arkansas River. Situated in a beautiful, historic building, they have a range of gorgeous rooms on offer and a great bar and restaurant on site. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? 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. updated Jul 14, 2022 How long is the drive from Denver to Durango? If you're looking to just get there as quickly as possible, it's much better to fly. Thank you so much for all the wonderful information. Keep in mind though, it's an incredibly long ride because you'll need to travel out of your way to switch buses in Grand Junction. Hwy-347 turns off north from US-50 toward the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park 8 mi (12.8 km) east of Montrose, but this town also marks the start of one of the best-loved roads in the country, the Million Dollar Highway, a classic stretch of two-lane blacktop that forms a swirling ribbon through the San Juan Mountains, the wildest . News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. For first-time visitors we recommend either taking a guided nature walk to learn about the areas history and geology, or just taking to the trails on your own to explore at your own pace. $242 Cheap Flights from Denver (DEN) to Durango (DGO) - Expedia Theres a lot of great terrain here for skiers of all skill levels in the wintertime, with everything from black diamond tree runs to easy, gradual glades and trails on the slopes that descend from Monarch Pass. 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. While its unlikely that traffic jams will ever disappear, avoiding peak travel times allows for an easier and stress-free commute. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. This protected archaeological site of San Juan National Forest is best experienced by joining one of the daily guided walking tours offered by the U.S. Forest Service management staff. If he could teleport to anywhere on the planet, it would be the mountains of Patagonia in Chile. 2023 The World Was Here First All rights reserved. There are some different ways to approach a stop at the Great Sand Dunes, as visitors are generally welcome to simply take in the views of the dunes from the comfort of paved roads and maintained public areas, or they may strike out on foot and hike on the sands of the national park. One snowstorm resulted in more than 300 crashes in the Denver metro area, with 93 of those occurring within a 3-hour period. Travel along this high alpine road is strongly discouraged amid snow, freezing temperatures, and blowing snow. Denver to Moab - How to Enjoy an Epic Weekend Road Trip As always, travel safe and enjoy the views! Durango High School, also known as the Durango 9-R Administration Building, is a former school in Durango, Colorado. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-13326355', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver to catch a 10 flight. Greyhound is virtually the only bus company operating this route and ticket prices start at $63, although they can be as high as $140. It is impossible to get from Denver to Durango -- at least in any reasonable way -- without some mountain driving. 172. 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. At Wolf Creek Pass, pedestrians can access the Continental Divide Trail and the Wolf Creek Trailhead. Breckenridge, Vail, Steamboat, or Estes Park for summer? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75870242', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver to Durango -- at least in any reasonable way -- without some mountain driving. 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. Apart from being the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte is where mountain biking got its start in Colorado. Click here to browse more Durango hotels! Driving from Denver to Durango takes about six and a half hours. It might sound like a bad deal, but these tickets can be a little bit cheaper than United's direct flights and it's still faster than driving. We are travelling with 3 children from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. If you are headed to the mountains on the weekend, plan ahead for more traffic than usual. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. Driving to Durango from Denver is a beautiful, six and a half hour drive. From there, make a right onto US-50 E (passing back through Salida) and follow that for 70 miles until you reach Penrose. Hiking, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, and off-roading are all staple activities here in our hometown. Just a stones throw off 285 South before you reach the town of Del Norte on the Denver to Durango drive, Penitente Canyon offers scenic views and chances to hike, rock climb, and bike through the towering canyon walls. Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636. Click here to see their availability, The Salida Inn & Hostel If youre traveling on a bit of a tighter budget, then this inn and hostel is an excellent choice. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Take the bus from Union Station Gate B4 to Grand Valley Downtown Transfer Station, Drive from Grand Valley Downtown Transfer Station to Montrose Airport, Take a shuttle bus from Montrose Airport to Telluride, Take a shuttle bus from Silverton, CO to Durango, CO, Take the train from Silverton to Durango, CO, Take a shuttle bus from Purgatory Plaza to Durango Transit Center, Fly from Denver (DEN) to Telluride Regional (TEX), Take a shuttle bus from Mesa Verde National Park to Purgatory Resort. Additional terms apply. The town of Salida is an excellent option, as it is a good halfway point between Denver and Durango and has lots of interesting things on offer. Looking for the ultimate Colorado summer road trip experience? If you are concerned about scary mountain driving, Red Mountain pass isn't scary, but the first part of the Million Dollar highway from Ouray south 10 or 20 miles is. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. Just be sure to downshift on the downhill side. All Of Colorado's Most Dangerous Roads And Highways Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You can also go to Colorado Springs and Canon City and Salida then 285 to 160. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. From there youll make a left onto CO 291 S which will take you into Salida after eight miles. So yeah, have your camera charged and ready for this spot too. A $15 Gratuity is included in all pricing above. 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. I-70 is a major east-west Interstate highway in the United States that runs from Maryland through Colorado into Utah, stretching for 2,151 miles. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. 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. 5.5 hours of driving without stops. The river flows right through town and features fun, refreshing splashes from class I and II rapids. Not quite what youre looking for? The alternate route out of Denver and straight down I-25 South is about 385 miles in total distance and will take drivers closer to six and a half hours. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join our mailing list for discounts, special events, and more. Sites such as Coller State Wildlife Area and Palisade Campground are excellent places to get out of the car and take in the views of the Rio Grande on your way up this stretch of highway. Yes, the driving distance between Denver to Durango is 538 km. Heading back to Denver takes one last straight-shot drive of one hour and 20 minutes along I-25 N. Just 70 miles along that highway and youll be back in the city at journeys end! Whichever option you choose, you find incredible scenery unlike anything else in Colorado. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. Then, head toward Ignacio on CO Hwy. Yep, its that simple. Denver to Durango in a day. - RoadTrip America Research, browse, save, and share from 162 Dodge models in Berthoud, CO. avoiding scary driving - Durango Forum - Tripadvisor Michael Rosebrock / Shutterstock 7. Outdoor seating areas are especially nice for sampling the beverages and entrees at either one. Red Mountain Pass. Should probably count on 7 - 7.5 hrs - not easy to make really good time in the mountains. Another route, is to take US285 sw from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Lots of good food in Durango. more. Answer 1 of 21: Hi, I will be in Denver late Oct. had wanted to ride on Durango to Silverton train. This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. Drive from Durango to Denver 6h 33m $60 - $90 Shuttle to Durango, fly Take a shuttle bus from Durango Transit Center to Purgatory Plaza Fly from Durango (DRO) to Denver (DEN) 5h 16m $223 - $531 Shuttle to Telluride Regional, fly Take a shuttle bus from Durango, CO to Silverton, CO Fly from Telluride Regional (TEX) to Denver (DEN) 6h 12m $437 - $865 16 Best Things to Do in Colorado in Summer, Travel From Madrid to San Sebastian by Train, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From Rome to Naples by Train, Plane, Bus, or Car, The Top 10 Things to Do in Durango, Colorado, How to Travel From Denver to Las Vegas by Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From Montreal to Quebec City by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, The Best Places to See Fall Colors in Colorado, How to Travel from Los Angeles to Denver by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox.

Where Are The Gypsies From In 1883, Articles L