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. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. Am I allowed to travel from Denver to Durango? 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. We will stop there for a break and continue driving. 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. 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. Lodging for 2 nights in Estes park in mid May, Where to stay near Union Station if using Red Rocks shuttle. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? The Million Dollar Highway is a scenic section of the US-550 highway which runs north to south. 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). From there you'll make a left onto CO 291 S which will take you into Salida after eight miles. Apart from being the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte is where mountain biking got its start in Colorado. * 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. 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. 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. 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. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. 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. Once you arrive at your destination, Durango is an activity-rich railroad town with a history dating back to the post-Gold Rush era of the late 1800s. Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. Cheap Flights from Denver Intl. Well, thats it for this epic Colorado summer road trip. Is this a summer trip or a winter trip? A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. 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. Not to mention, its known as one of the most treacherous roads in the state. If youre planning an escape to Durango in southwestern Colorado, a road trip will lead you through some historic miningtowns, scenic overlooks worthy of a stop, and unique hot springs that youll definitely be able to smell as you make your approach. Winter in Colorado is no joke. Architectural structures left behind by the ancestral Puebloans include pit houses, great kivas, and great houses, according to the U.S. Forest Services website. According to a recent study, the average Denver commuter spends 83 hours per year stuck in traffic. As the name would suggest, this steep 3-mile hike takes you up to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the town and valley beyond. Semi trucks stuck on 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! From there, make a right onto US-50 E (passing back through Salida) and follow that for 70 miles until you reach Penrose. Most crashes on the pass occur at the switchback curve near the Wolf Creek scenic outlook area. 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. 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. Let us know in the comments! Avalanches often trigger temporary closures, leaving portions of the road buried under several feet of snow. 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. If you have hopes of seeing both Denver and Durango on your trip to Colorado, you should keep in mind that the cities are 337 miles apart. No trip to the area should skip it in my opinion. I will be making this trip next week and look forward to seeing all this. Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. 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. I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. Where to go at the end of November, Early December?!?! Roads surrounding the Denver metro area are often a mess, especially when you add snow and ice to the mix. You have permission to edit this article. What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Durango? Each flight takes about an hour, so this is definitely the fastest way to get from Denver to Durango. If youre traveling on slippery or snowy roads, use caution, slow down, and please, take it easy on the brakes. So yeah, have your camera charged and ready for this spot too. The cheapest month to fly is July. Well, youve come to the right place. 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. Cheyenne . From there, make a right onto US-550 S, which will take you into Ouray after just over 36 miles. Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! 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. It's a fairly long drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Grand Junction To Dinosaur Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Hiking, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, and off-roading are all staple activities here in our hometown. I'd judge the least "scary" of the three to be I-25/US160. So here I am in Pagosa Springs. Another great activity to do near Denver is driving the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. What about Mine Tours and Mining Museums? Start early in the day, bring plenty of water and snacks, and be sure to dress in layers. This trail can be completed either as a loop or an out-and-back from the trailhead across La Garita Street near the gas station. 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). Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. Should probably count on 7 - 7.5 hrs - not easy to make really good time in the mountains. This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. It serves as one of the main routes to Colorados ski country including Vail, Aspen, Winter Park, Keystone, and Breckenridge. This canyon has high walls and granite cliffs that have been carved out by the slow grind of time and the erosion forces of the Arkansas River. Mostly flat in some areas, Colorado gives drivers the most treacherous section of I-70 through the Rocky Mountains. Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Maybe there's a faster drive but we have not done that. 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. Take US Hwy 285 south from Denver for approximately 173 miles. Thank you :) 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. One absolute must-do activity is hiking the Ouray Perimeter Trail. For photographers, taking photos of the sunset from atop one of the dunes is an unforgettable experience. Creedes title of The Last Boom Town comes from its legacy as a silver-mining town, which you can learn about in this PBS short documentary. Red Mountain Pass. Its also important to watch out for mandatory chain and traction laws on I-70, especially during the winter months. 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 . Along the National Parks Loop, you'll also go through some other small towns worth exploring like Telluride, Durango, and Buena Vista. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. I assume you understand that any route you take will be. 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. Prices start at 117,500 per night. Jan 31, 2006. As the name would suggest, this trail takes you around the entire town dont worry, there are plenty of places to enter or exit the trail for a shorter hike. 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. Answer 1 of 21: Hi, I will be in Denver late Oct. had wanted to ride on Durango to Silverton train. When beginning your Denver to Durango road trip, you have two routes to choose from. Call us biased on this if you like, but heading down the Lower Animas is a Durango summer staple. Which route is the best? Head out of town along US-160 E for 102 miles until you reach South Fork. If you need to rent a car for this trip, you can check out Rentalcars.com which aggregates deals across suppliers. That made for about a 70-mile loop of incredible mountain views! What can I see on a Denver to Durango road trip. It stretches from Denver to Durango across the Southern Rockies and can be hiked in 25-35 days. Photo Credit: Jerilee Bennett. Click here to browse other private rentals. 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. Tours and campgrounds are also available, and popular activities include sledding down the dunes (a time-honored favorite), four-wheel tours, and horseback riding. 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. 10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. The steep, winding switchbacks can make your stomach turn on this high mountain pass, reaching an elevation of 11,307 feet. Now I am thinking of taking another route. The building opened in 1917, and served as a high school until 1976, after which it became the district administration building. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. This is a great introduction to Colorados famous fourteeners and provides extraordinary views thatll redefine what you classify as a scenic byway.. Browse Dodge vehicles in Berthoud, CO for sale on Cars.com, with prices under $799,952. I routinely make the trip via 285 and it is much shorter and beautiful. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources.