4WD and AWD vehicles must have snow tires or all-weather tires with 3/16 inch tread depth. Editors Note: Never speed. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is Brush Creek. For photographers, taking photos of the sunset from atop one of the dunes is an unforgettable experience. Located 60 miles west of Denver, this incredible highway is the highest paved road in North America. For more information, see our privacy policy. Snowcaped mountains in Berthoud Pass, Colorado. Traffic on I-70. The drive from Denver, Colorado, to Las Vegas, Nevada, is a drive of epic proportions. Driving from Denver to Durango? - Colorado Forum - Tripadvisor Top Reasons To Take A Jeep Tour In SW Colorado. Photo Credit: Jerilee Bennett. Well, youve come to the right place. Denver to Durango drive: which route? : Durango - reddit A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. But. Cortez is 50 miles away from Durango, while Telluride is 110 miles away. From there you'll make a left onto CO 291 S which will take you into Salida after eight miles. My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If youre hiking with children or just dont enjoy exposure to steep drop-offs, then its recommended to do the out-at-back version. The total cost of driving from Denver, CO to Durango, CO (one-way) is $53.28 at current gas prices. Roads surrounding the Denver metro area are often a mess, especially when you add snow and ice to the mix. Research, browse, save, and share from 162 Dodge models in Berthoud, CO. Grand Junction To Dinosaur Monarch Pass in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. 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. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Alpine travel often gets a little sketchy along Loveland Pass, an 8.7-mile road that soars high into the mountains at nearly 12,000 feet. The building opened in 1917, and served as a high school until 1976, after which it became the district administration building. What about Mine Tours and Mining Museums? 2:05 pm Pagosa Springs (Colorado) stay for about 1 hour. Theres not many other places where you can hike through desert-like dunes with snow-capped mountain peaks as your backdrop. Tue, Jul 25. The shortest way is to take Route 285 through to Route 160, which will take you past Buena Vista. $195 Cheap Flights from Denver (DEN) to Durango (DRO) - Expedia For instance, this beautiful treehouse home with a hot tub is a great choice. What about the altitude/Altitude sickness? The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. Start early in the day, bring plenty of water and snacks, and be sure to dress in layers. This is a beautiful and quicker drive. Takes you to nearly every major mountain zone in the state and the deepest canyons, highest passes, steepest mountains, and coolest towns. It's a fairly long drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Map Start: Denver to Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs While I-25. It is impossible to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? So, pack your bags, fasten your seatbelts, and get ready to hit the road on this Denver to Durango loop road trip! That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Durango to Denver drive driving / 2 days / no pets / no RV Durango to Denver road trip planner Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Durango to Denver. Your Guide to a Million Dollar Highway Road Trip - Reader's Digest 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. Durango is in southwest Colorado. 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. The quickest way to get from Denver to Durango is to fly and shuttle which costs 300,000-800,000 and takes 5h 24m. Breckenridge, Vail, Steamboat, or Estes Park for summer? Lots of good food in Durango. What can I see on a Denver to Durango road trip. Click here to browse other private rentals. Find all the transport options for your trip from Denver to Durango right here. There will be some mountain driving whichever route you take, but there's no need to be scared. They zoom past gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery at speeds up to 75 mph, burrow through the highest auto tunnel in North America, and switch back their way over two-mile-high Vail Pass. Prices and availability are subject to change. Success! Am I allowed to travel from Denver to Durango? One of the last places to stop between Denver and Durango is Chimney Rock National Monument, which features the ancient remains of a native Pueblo settlement dating back 1,000 years. This one is best for families with kids, as there is an entire miniature town complete with painted and detailed buildings, a playground and park, a gift shop, and even an old steam train ride. This is a lodging and day-use facility built around an odorless hot spring that bubbles up out of the ground at around 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. I need to return tonight to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? BTW also Mapquest gives the route Casa said but mentioned 5 hours. Driving from Denver to Durango? - Colorado Forum - Tripadvisor However, as the expression goes, its not the destination, its the journey. You have two route options, both of which take you through amazing scenery and worthwhile stops. If natural disasters happen to occur, travelers are often rerouted between Ridgway and Durango over Lizard Head Pass a much longer route. Click here to browse more Durango hotels! Its important to note that dates and closures vary, depending on the weather and road conditions. If you're going on a road trip from Colorado Springs to Durango, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Pagosa Springs and top places to visit like . Along the way, possibly stop in Fairplay, see a reconstructed mining town called South Park City. If youve never gone mountain biking before, then this is a perfect place to try it out. But it didn/t work. If concerts and shows arent your scene, no problem! Have any questions about any of these stops? 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. Getting to Purgatory Resort Colorado | Shuttles - Powderhounds Hi Diane, The drive from Denver to Aspen takes about 4 hours (if there isn't a lot of traffic). This 17-mile historic loop takes you to several abandoned mines in-between beautiful scenic vistas. Every month, almost a million vehicles travel the 100 miles on Interstate 70 between Denver and Vail, Colorado. The bus leaves Denver at 6:45 a.m. and arrives in Durango at 7:10 p.m. Colorado Scenic Byway: Tracks Across Borders | Colorado.com Cheap Flights from Denver to Durango from $195 | (DEN - Kayak Should probably count on 7 - 7.5 hrs - not easy to make really good time in the mountains. You can also go to Colorado Springs and Canon City and Salida then 285 to 160. Finally, youll make a left onto CO-115 N for 30 miles into Colorado Springs. Oh well. Head south continuing along US-550 S (AKA The Million Dollar Highway) for 70.5 miles until you reach Durango. Driving Time from Denver, CO to Durango, CO - Travelmath 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. Colorado's Scenic Million Dollar Highway: Silverton to Ouray It serves as one of the main routes to Colorado's ski country including Vail, Aspen, Winter Park, Keystone, and Breckenridge. If you need to rent a car for this trip, you can check out Rentalcars.com which aggregates deals across suppliers. ), we woke up early and hit the road for what was a 2-hour drive to Grand Junction. 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. The arch and many of the other geologic formations here are the results of heat and pressure having formed volcanic ash into hard rock over millions of years. Make sure to keep a safe following distance between your car and one in front of you. 2023 The World Was Here First All rights reserved. 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. Then, head toward Ignacio on CO Hwy. Planning other road trips from Denver? Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. 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. The railway is a federally designated National Historic Landmark and is also designated by the American Society of Civil Engineers as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. If you drive that route without stops it app.takes 6 hours. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? Assuming you choose the route through the mountains on 285, youll still be on a paved highway for practically the entire timedepending on your chosen stopsso theres no major need for a high-clearance, 4-wheel drive sort of vehicle. Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636. Rome2rio makes travelling from Denver to Durango easy. Driving from Denver to Durango takes about six and a half hours. If you hit the turn too fast you will go right off the edge. Lodging for 2 nights in Estes park in mid May, Where to stay near Union Station if using Red Rocks shuttle. While the route offers a fast connection to Winter Park from Denver, avalanches and snowslides often make winter travel on this route extremely difficult. Click here to see their availability, Private Rental If its a private vacation rental that youre after in Durango, youll find that there are countless options to choose from. If not, the area works just fine as a pretty place to drive through. This 235 mile loop takes you through old mining towns, spectacular scenery, and exhilarating twists & turns. The next best thing to do on a visit to Colorado Springs is to head up to Pikes Peak. Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. If youre looking for an all-in-one Colorado destination, Durangos definitely the place to be. Again. Its a lengthy stretch, but it also takes you through some of Colorados most spectacular wilderness areas, adventurous mountain towns, and exciting cities. caudesucre.com Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa Roundtrip One-way Multi-city 1 traveler Economy Leaving from Going to Departing Returning Add a place to stay Add a car Direct flights only Cheap Flights from Denver Intl. Regular fuel costs are around $3.96 per gallon for your trip. Powerhouse Science Center, formerly the The Durango Discovery Museum, is an interactive science center located in Durango, Colorado. Colorado is a beautiful state to drive through and the road from Denver to Durango has many places worth stopping to see, even if you're taking the shortest route. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Services like gas stations and restaurants are in good supply at Salida, Saguache, and other areas along the way. So here I am in Pagosa Springs. jaramarzulli.com Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. After spending the night in the alpine town of Vail (yes, on the drive over from Rocky Mountain National Park across I-70, we hit several patches of snow and temperatures falling below zero, even at the end of May! United Airlines offers flights from Denver Airport to Durango Airport. Its also noted as the highest road in the country thats kept open on a year-round basis. A ride on this tram takes you up to some of the best possible views of the Continental Divide, and it does it in a speedy fashion that makes this viable even as a short stop. 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. #ouraygram. Mesa Verde is a world-class attraction that you really should see. You know what? The 8 Most Scenic Drives In Colorado - TravelAwaits The 160 to 285 would be the fastest. We tackled this whole itinerary in 3 nights but you would be better served to spend at least double that amount of time. Perhaps most amazing about this historic site is that the rock pinnacles for which Chimney Rock gets its name frame multiple astronomical alignment points. Durango High School, also known as the Durango 9-R Administration Building, is a former school in Durango, Colorado. 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. Thank you :) . Not much to recommend for food along the way. It is centrally locate and has both private, ensuite rooms available along with hostel dorm beds. Jan 31, 2006. Thank you. Talk about a flexible experience! 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Turn right on CO State Hwy 112 W for 13 miles until you reach Del Norte. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! Drop-dead gorgeous and nestled into the heart of the San Juan mountains, visiting Ouray 100% feels like youre being transported to Switzerland. Another route, is to take US285 sw from Denver toward Buena Vista and then south to Great Sand Dunes. 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. 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. The Best Colorado Summer Road Trip - Denver to Durango Loop 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). Check out our Denver to Aspen drive & Denver to Moab road trip articles! From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. 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. 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. ', 'How much should I expect to pay? Although its a small mountain town, its bursting at the seams with history, scenery, and adventure opportunities. Prices and availability are subject to change. It's said to be one of the most dangerous roads in Colorado. Your trip begins in Denver, Colorado. 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. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-13124761', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver-Pagosa Springs via Colorado Springs and Walsenburg on I25 and us160 via Great Sand Dunes NP and Wolf Creek pass to Pagosa Springs.