You can also fly from Denver to Durango, if all this seems to be too much. If you need to rent a car for this trip, you can check out Rentalcars.com which aggregates deals across suppliers. Every month, almost a million vehicles travel the 100 miles on Interstate 70 between Denver and Vail, Colorado. Thank you for your advise. The Map Start: Denver to Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs While I-25. For us, one of the most fun things a first-time visitor can do is catch a show at, If concerts and shows arent your scene, no problem! Powerhouse Science Center, formerly the The Durango Discovery Museum, is an interactive science center located in Durango, Colorado. 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. I would say the "scariest" would be to take US160 over Wolf Creek pass - especially in winter.. We have done the drive (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The canyon walls are so steep that at least some of the canyon is always engulfed in shadow during the day, which is how the Black Canyon got its name. Both Aspen Peak and Mad Jacks also offer delicious food options and events featuring live music acts, with Aspen Peaks Bluegrass and BBQ Night serving as a good example of a local favorite where guests are served food options like southern shrimp and grits and St. Louis-style ribs with mashed potatoes and sauted kale. He lives in Colorado and also works as a fly fishing guide and instructor when not editing or writing. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. 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. We tackled this whole itinerary in 3 nights but you would be better served to spend at least double that amount of time. Along the National Parks Loop, you'll also go through some other small towns worth exploring like Telluride, Durango, and Buena Vista. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Monument to fallen snowplow drivers. The cheapest way to get from Denver to Durango is to drive which costs 75,000-120,000 and takes 6h 33m. Planning other road trips from Denver? 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 . Greyhound is virtually the only bus company operating this route and ticket prices start at $63, although they can be as high as $140. 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. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. You can also fly from Denver to Durango, if all this seems to be too much. Its also noted as the highest road in the country thats kept open on a year-round basis. 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. If you drove there from Albuquerque it would take you about half as long. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. 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). Which route is the best? 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. Toll Free: 800-567-6745, Colorados capital city has something for everyone: great food, impressive history, beautiful views, and plenty of adventure opportunities close by! The drive from Denver, Colorado, to Las Vegas, Nevada, is a drive of epic proportions. Talk about a flexible experience! 4WD and AWD vehicles must have snow tires or all-weather tires with 3/16 inch tread depth. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. This is the route Google Maps will give you. Crested Butte is hands-down one of the coolest places to check out in Colorado. High average elevation of 10,000 feet and a few passes over 12,000 feet. From Sand Dunes, head west on US160 over Wolf Creek Pass to Pagosa. 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. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. 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. No trip to the area should skip it in my opinion. Sand Dunes are great fun. Not much to recommend for food along the way. Just be sure to downshift on the downhill side. If youre looking for an all-in-one Colorado destination, Durangos definitely the place to be. These are both safe routes. For instance, this beautiful treehouse home with a hot tub is a great choice. 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. You could also travel on Route 24 to pass through Colorado Springs, before connecting and driving west on 160, which will add about 30 minutes to your trip. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. Getting there is through beautiful, mountainous country, but mountainous roads and I believe some white. * Head out of Crested Butte the way you came in down CO-135 N and then make a right onto US-50 W for 65 miles until you reach the town of Montrose. If concerts and shows arent your scene, no problem! Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. Colorados capital city has something for everyone: great food, impressive history, beautiful views, and plenty of adventure opportunities close by! It features a challenging switchback turn -on the west side- with a 200-foot drop off on the other side of the curve. And speaking of snow, one of the most popular activities for locals at the dunes is to bring their snowboards, skis and sleds for some nice carving through the sand. Be sure to enjoy the small towns along the way and explore the rural side of Colorado too! Another possible stop near Salida located in the shadow of Mt. Click here to browse other private rentals. All deals One way Roundtrip Tue, Mar 21 DEN Denver DRO Durango $195 One way just found Dont let snowy roads put a damper on your adventure plans. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. 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. The drive from Salida to Crested Butte takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Breckenridge, Vail, Steamboat, or Estes Park for summer? Browse Dodge vehicles in Berthoud, CO for sale on Cars.com, with prices under $799,952. Photo Credit: Matt Gross Things To Do The United States Census Bureau reported a population of 16,887 in the 2010 census. Lots of good food in Durango. The journey from Crested Butte to Ouray will take approximately 2.5 hours. There will be some mountain driving whichever route you take, but there's no need to be scared. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is Brush Creek. It takes approximately 12h 2m to get from Denver to Durango, including transfers. 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 . Camping, backpacking, and hiking opportunities abound in this area once the snow melts in the summertime. Services like gas stations and restaurants are in good supply at Salida, Saguache, and other areas along the way. Afternoons can be hot and windy though. You have two route options, both of which take you through amazing scenery and worthwhile stops. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. Those with a lot of time on their hands can hike or bike to the summit, which makes for a rewarding journey. If you are traveling to Durango by bus, prepare for a long ride of at least 12 hours. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join our mailing list for discounts, special events, and more. 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. Not much to recommend for food along the way. If youre not familiar, Monarch Pass leads to the natural snowy slopes of Monarch Mountain. 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. Start early in the day, bring plenty of water and snacks, and be sure to dress in layers. This drive is most densely populated with residential areas and small towns for about the first hour or so, but the rest is nothing but mountain passes, wide-open valleys, and National Forest areas, with the occasional town to break things up. Another route, is to take US285 sw from Denver toward Buena Vista and then south to Great Sand Dunes. Having a Jeep or other SUV or truck may come in handy if you plan on doing any venturing down the dusty National Forest access roads, however. 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. Just assume that youll need your camera for just about every spot from here on out. 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. 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.