It stretches from Denver to Durango across the Southern Rockies and can be hiked in 25-35 days. 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. If you need to rent a car for this trip, you can check out Rentalcars.com which aggregates deals across suppliers. 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. Camping, backpacking, and hiking opportunities abound in this area once the snow melts in the summertime. Durango to Denver - 7 ways to travel via train, shuttle, car - Rome2rio The route has an elevation gain of 9,000 ft and ascends through five climate zones to the 14,264-ft summit of Mount Evans. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Aetna is Monarch Mountain Resort. If high-alpine hikes arent your jazz, another great place to explore near Salida is Great Sand Dunes National Park. Do you think it is faster going the other route or should I rather take the old route because I drive thru the night? 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. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. What airport would I fly into to go to Englewood, Colorado? Maybe there's a faster drive but we have not done that. Which route is the best? Driving To Durango | Visit Durango, CO | Official Tourism Site Those with a lot of time on their hands can hike or bike to the summit, which makes for a rewarding journey. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. A direct flight will only take about an hour in the air, which will save you a lot of time. You can also rent ATVs and off-road vehicles in town if you prefer to not take your own car. 4:17 pm arrive in Durango. Denver to Durango drive: which route? : Durango - reddit Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. When you reach the summit of Red Mountain Pass, you will be standing at an elevation of 11,018 ft. Legend has it that the name Million Dollar Highway comes from the 1920s cost to build the highway at over $1 million a mile. My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock). 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. And good news for dog-lovers: pets are allowed on this trail but must be kept on a leash. 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. Only United Airlines operates multiple direct flights a day from Denver International Airport (DEN) and Durango La-Plata County Airport (DOR), which is just 15 miles from downtown Durango. Book at least 2 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. Which route is the best? Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Private Vacation Rental There are a number of great properties to choose from in Salida such as this beautiful secluded log cabin if youre looking for a peaceful getaway. Aspen vs Vail vs Breckenridge: Which Colorado Town to Visit? Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. Duncan is a writer for The World Was Here First. While its unlikely that traffic jams will ever disappear, avoiding peak travel times allows for an easier and stress-free commute. Get answers to your questions about Colorado. Traffic jam westbound I-70 highway Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock). With a route that passes south on US Highway 285 through Pike-San Isabel National Forest and continues down to the Great Sand Dunes and the Rio Grande headwaters, the Denver to Durango drive is one of southern Colorados most scenic. 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. Make sure to keep a safe following distance between your car and one in front of you. drive for about 1 hour. 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. Have any questions about any of these stops? Its also helpful to pack warm layers, snacks, water, and a flash flight for unexpected delays and emergencies. Planning other road trips from Denver? Drive to Colorado Springs on Interstate 25 and on through Pueblo to Walsenburg where you'll take Hwy 160 west. 5.5 hours of driving without stops. The drive time from Durango to Creede takes just under 2.5 hours. 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. The best way to get from Denver to Denver Airport is to train which takes 37 min and costs 4,100-14,000. How long is the drive from Denver to Durango? Lodging for 2 nights in Estes park in mid May, Where to stay near Union Station if using Red Rocks shuttle. Thank you. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. Durango High School, also known as the Durango 9-R Administration Building, is a former school in Durango, Colorado. Driving from Denver to Durango - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums Durango is in southwest Colorado. I would say the "scariest" would be to take US160 over Wolf Creek pass - especially in winter.. The round trip cost would be $106.55 to go from Denver, CO to Durango, CO and back to Denver, CO again. Wolf Creek Pass in CO: Beware of the wolf - Dangerousroads.org We extended it to a full loop: Boulder Canyon Drive up to Nederland, Highway 72 from Nederland to Highway 7 just south of Rocky Mountain National Park, Highway 7 back over to Highway 36, and then back down to Boulder. Cheap Flights from Denver Intl. Reduced speed limits and temporary closures are often put into place for safety concerns. In Winter do I need a 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle in Colorado? The Million Dollar Highway is a scenic section of the US-550 highway which runs north to south. You can also fly from Denver to Durango, if all this seems to be too much. day 2 driving 3.5 hours. It is located between I-70 and Keystone, offering an alternative route to I-70 and the Eisenhower Tunnel. 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. Adds about 2.5 hours to the "boring" way, and is incredibly varied and constantly changing. Click here to browse more Durango hotels! It is impossible to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The total cost of driving from Denver, CO to Durango, CO (one-way) is $53.28 at current gas prices. If you're planning a road trip to Denver, you can research locations to stop along the way. One absolute must-do activity is hiking the, After hiking the perimeter trail, take a load off and relax in, Gates of Lodore Dinosaur National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Ultimate Colorado and Utah Road Trip Itinerary. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. The quickest way to get from Denver to Durango is to fly and shuttle which costs 300,000-800,000 and takes 5h 24m. Thank you :) All three cross Wolf Creek Pass on US160, which is truly scary only if your brakes fail on the way down. Photo Credit: Christian Murdock; The Gazette. Lots of good food in Durango. We love our home state, and we have more than a few top tips for things to do during your visit. The bus leaves Denver at 6:45 a.m. and arrives in Durango at 7:10 p.m. If you drive that route without stops it app.takes 6 hours. From there, make a right onto US-550 S, which will take you into Ouray after just over 36 miles. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! Breckenridge, Vail, Steamboat, or Estes Park for summer? 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. It's said to be one of the most dangerous roads in Colorado. The drive from Salida to Crested Butte takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes. 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. Greyhound is virtually the only bus company operating this route and ticket prices start at $63, although they can be as high as $140. Hiking, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, and off-roading are all staple activities here in our hometown. However, if youre looking to check out something completely different but equally awesome in Colorado, you cant go wrong with a day trip to, Drop-dead gorgeous and nestled into the heart of the San Juan mountains, visiting Ouray 100% feels like youre being transported to Switzerland. 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. Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. Along the National Parks Loop, you'll also go through some other small towns worth exploring like Telluride, Durango, and Buena Vista. 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. Durango is the county seat and the most populous municipality of La Plata County, Colorado, United States. 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. The social distance requirement in Durango is 2 metres. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is. So yeah, have your camera charged and ready for this spot too. 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. Recommended Road Trip Length: 7 days. How to Get from Denver to Durango - TripSavvy Lots of good food in Durango. Instead of following US-50 W all the way to Montrose, take a right onto CO-92 W for approximately 70 miles until you reach Delta. My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Looking for the ultimate Colorado summer road trip experience? 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! All three cross Wolf Creek Pass on US160, which is truly scary only if your brakes fail on the way down. Youll also get to take on thrilling class III rapids at Durangos exciting whitewater park. This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Durango is recommended. While the route offers a fast connection to Winter Park from Denver, avalanches and snowslides often make winter travel on this route extremely difficult. It is a 7 hour plus drive, not counting any stops. jaramarzulli.com Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa Then, head toward Ignacio on CO Hwy. We tackled this whole itinerary in 3 nights but you would be better served to spend at least double that amount of time. I will be making this trip next week and look forward to seeing all this. This incredible amphitheatre is built right into the front range mountains, making for one of the most beautiful venues in the country. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We have done the drive (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. Either way there is only one high pass to cross (Wolf Creek, mentioned above), and I wouldn't call it scary. Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636. The Map Start: Denver to Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs While I-25. Dunes, not to be missed with children. Snowcaped mountains in Berthoud Pass, Colorado. 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. 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). What kind of rental car do I need & are there places I should not drive a rental car? Lots of good food in Durango. For more information, see our privacy policy. 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. Denver to Pagosa Springs - Durango Forum - Tripadvisor The drive from Denver to Durango via 285 South covers about 337 miles and usually takes just over six hours, give or take some time depending on traffic and weather conditions. 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. We are travelling with 3 children from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Sand Dunes are great fun. In fact, winter weather is often the blame for the majority of delays and crashes. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Research, browse, save, and share from 162 Dodge models in Berthoud, CO. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. $242 Cheap Flights from Denver (DEN) to Durango (DGO) - Expedia