Stretching from Utah, through Colorado and all the way out to Maryland, I-70 is a famous interstate highway that is widely used every day for local and interstate travel. Again. Situated in a beautiful, historic building, they have a range of gorgeous rooms on offer and a great bar and restaurant on site. Thank you. This is a no-brainer as a stop for skiers and snowboarders traveling in the winter, but the Wolf Creek area between South Fork and Durango is also worth keeping in mind as a stop for travelers even in mid-summer. 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. 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). Answer (1 of 3): I agree with Alan about I-70 and I-80. You have two route options, both of which take you through amazing scenery and worthwhile stops. Have fun, please forgive us our little OT chat. Denver --> independence pass --> Aspen --> Ouray --> Red mountain pass --> Durango. Thank you :) Not much to recommend for food along the way. You probably want to avoid going to Durango via 550 through Ouray and Silverton (Million Dollar Highway) which is an incredibly scenic, paved, state highway but also has extreme dropoffs without guardrails in places, and little to no shoulder in placesnot the best road for you. Check out our Durango Activities and Things to Do page for more information. 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. We are travelling with 3 children from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There are long swaths of the drive down 285 Southsuch as the section between Fairplay to Buena Vistawhere you may lose cell signal at times and find higher chances of on-road hazards like wildlife, fallen rocks, and icy or snowy road conditions. 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. Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? All three cross Wolf Creek Pass on US160, which is truly scary only if your brakes fail on the way down. The steep, winding switchbacks can make your stomach turn on this high mountain pass, reaching an elevation of 11,307 feet. 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. 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. If you drove there from Albuquerque it would take you about half as long. Photo Credit: Matt Gross Things To Do Do you think it is faster going the other route or should I rather take the old route because I drive thru the night? The Million Dollar Highway is just a small portion of the 236-mile San Juan Skyway, itself a section of U.S. Highway 550, which runs 305 miles from Bernalillo, New Mexico, to Montrose, Colorado . However, you can take the bus to Grand Valley Downtown Transfer Station, take the drive to Montrose Airport, take the shuttle to Telluride, take the taxi to Silverton, CO, then take the shuttle to Durango, CO. Alternatively, you can take the bus to Grand Valley Downtown Transfer Station, take the drive to Montrose Airport, take the shuttle to Telluride, take the taxi to Silverton, then take the train to Durango, CO. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Designated drivers beware and drink responsibly, as youve still got a lot of highway to go on this Denver to Durango road trip. Is it compulsory to practice social distancing in Durango? Crested Butte is hands-down one of the coolest places to check out in Colorado. As of July 23, Colorado has. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. You will likely be going over Wolf Creek Pass and if this is a winter trip you will be going over one of the snowiest passes in the state, but it is plowed and maintained. Denver Area Road Trip Lots of good food in Durango. Thats not too surprising we suppose as Coloradans tend to ski just about anything. Which route is the best? It is home to Fort Lewis College. I'd judge the least "scary" of the three to be I-25/US160. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. Traffic congestion due to rush hour and ongoing construction is normally expected for this particular stretch of the highway. If youre looking for an all-in-one Colorado destination, Durangos definitely the place to be. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. 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. Which route is the best? Now I am thinking of taking another route. North Americas largest sandbox contains some 5 billion cubic meters of sand and stands out against the striking backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? The picnic area is also nice for anyone who has packed food for the road trip in a cooler and might want to have lunch before getting back on the road. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). Casa's route is good. 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. When it comes to traveling through heavy snow, strong gusty winds, and blistering cold temperatures, heres our list of some of Colorados most dangerous roads to watch out for this winter. You can also fly from Denver to Durango, if all this seems to be too much. Airfares from $109 One Way, $219 Round Trip from Denver to Durango. I-70 has some gorgeous spots and does top out at about 11,000 ft when you pass through the tunnels near Loveland Pass. For more information, see our privacy policy. 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. That made for about a 70-mile loop of incredible mountain views! From there you'll make a left onto CO 291 S which will take you into Salida after eight miles. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. If you intend to make all (or even a few) of these stops, youre likely going to want to find a place to stay to break up the drive. For a more complete guide on the hike, check out this, If high-alpine hikes arent your jazz, another great place to explore near Salida is, Crested Butte is hands-down one of the coolest places to check out in Colorado. Aetna is Monarch Mountain Resort. From Durango, we flew back to Denver, instead of driving back. As the name would suggest, this steep 3-mile hike takes you up to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the town and valley beyond. It's said to be one of the most dangerous roads in Colorado. , Where to Stay on a Denver to Durango Road Trip. The longer one (I-25 south, US160 west) involves faster driving and more traffic. If not, the area works just fine as a pretty place to drive through. There is no direct connection from Denver to Durango. Having a wonderful time here. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. Duncan is a writer for The World Was Here First. Aspen vs Vail vs Breckenridge: Which Colorado Town to Visit? Additional terms apply. Your best and most scenic route from Denver to Durango tends to be 285 South, though you could also choose to go straight south from Denver on Interstate 25. The highway is also notorious for serious semi-accidents and spin-outs due to its steep curvy descent. 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. There are 115+ hotels available in Durango. Can you tell me about guest ranch vacations in Colorado? You'll ride on a historic, coal-fired train that travels the same tracks as the miners, cowboys, and settlers who came to the Wild West did more than 100 years ago. Most crashes on the pass occur at the switchback curve near the Wolf Creek scenic outlook area. ! Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. Although you can explore much of the park on your own, taking a guided tour is the way to go as thats the only way to gain access to the most popular sites such as Cliff Palace and Balcony House. This is a great introduction to Colorados famous fourteeners and provides extraordinary views thatll redefine what you classify as a scenic byway.. Error! If you must go out, make sure you are prepared for winter travel and your tires meet the minimal requirements for Colorados new traction law. 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 drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. 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 the route offers a fast connection to Winter Park from Denver, avalanches and snowslides often make winter travel on this route extremely difficult. He lives in Colorado and also works as a fly fishing guide and instructor when not editing or writing. 5.5 hours of driving without stops. Its important to note that dates and closures vary, depending on the weather and road conditions. 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. My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Alternatively, you may use, Best Western Plus Deer Park Hotel And Suites. 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. 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 . Getting there is through beautiful, mountainous country, but mountainous roads and I believe some white. 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 . Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Not much to recommend for food along the way. 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. Another route, is to take US285 sw from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Instead, I'm proposing driving from Montrose to Cortez, with a stop in Telluride on the way. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? You can also fly from Denver to Durango, if all this seems to be too much. Or, Highway 285 to 160 is more scenic and has mountains but is not scary. The drive time from Durango to Creede takes just under 2.5 hours. day 2 driving 3.5 hours. Still, the bus is significantly cheaper than flying and depending on gas prices and whether or not you need to rent a car or book a hotel overnight, it's probably cheaper than driving too. 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. Not quite what youre looking for? Problem is no-one knows what the weather will be then. Roadtrip from SoCal to Mt Rushmore thru Colorado, Best Western Plus Deer Park Hotel And Suites. Success! Brittany is an award-winning journalist based in Denver where she has lived and worked for more than a decade. SIGN UP: Free daily newsletter + 20% off in the OTC gear shop, The 7 most dangerous winter roads in Colorado, 93 of those occurring within a 3-hour period, Denver commuter spends 83 hours per year stuck in traffic, Public access for two Colorado 14ers to close, after bill to protect landowners from liability dies, [VIDEO] Snowboarders spend over an hour in a tree to avoid angry moose in Colorado, $50,000 reward offered in search for suspect who robbed USPS letter carrier, Nathaniel Rateliff, Elle King among artists coming to Denver area in March, Skier Shiffrin locks up overall title, still chases win 86, US to focus bison restoration on expanding tribal herds. 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. These springs are perfect for an evening soak when the day starts to cool and you want to settle down to reflect on the days adventure accomplishments. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? From South Fork and US 160, take a right-hand turn onto US 149, also known as the Silver Thread Scenic Byway, for an unforgettable scenic drive to the town of Creede near the headwaters of the Rio Grande. drive for about 1 hour. Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Just be sure to downshift on the downhill side. 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. Utah. It is impossible to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? For another great SW road trip, check out our Ultimate Colorado and Utah Road Trip Itinerary. There is also breakfast included each morning. Thank you so much for all the wonderful information. Takes you to nearly every major mountain zone in the state and the deepest canyons, highest passes, steepest mountains, and coolest towns. I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. Durango is in southwest Colorado. What are the travel restrictions in Durango? Well, thats it for this epic Colorado summer road trip. Not to mention, its known as one of the most treacherous roads in the state. So here I am in Pagosa Springs. You want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon. This loop of state-maintained highways through the San Juan Mountains can be done in your own car and at your own leisure, but be aware that various parts of this beautiful, scenic drive do feature steep drop-offs without guardrails.
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