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. Top Reasons To Take A Jeep Tour In SW Colorado. Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. 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-13122554', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver to Pagosa Springs by car. Then, head toward Ignacio on CO Hwy. Call us biased on this if you like, but heading down the Lower Animas is a Durango summer staple. Not far from the New Mexico border, Durango is actually closer to Albuquerque than Denver, with 215 miles between them. Can you please describe the San Juan Skyway/Million $ Hwy/Red Mtn. Youll also get to take on thrilling class III rapids at Durangos exciting whitewater park. It is home to Fort Lewis College. Ice and snow-caked roads, highways, and mountain passes make for dangerous and hazardous driving conditions across the state. What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Durango? 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. Winter in Colorado is no joke. 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. Monarch Pass winds beautifully into the mountains at 11,312 feet along the Continental Divide between Gunnison and Poncha Springs, located just 20 minutes from Salida. For photographers, taking photos of the sunset from atop one of the dunes is an unforgettable experience. I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. Once you reach Creede, known as one of the last Silver Boom towns in Colorado during the late 19th century, you have quite a few options before heading back down to South Fork. Book at least 2 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. The journey from Crested Butte to Ouray will take approximately 2.5 hours. Be sure to take a peek at Denvers Tourism website for other ideas of things to do. Success! This is the route Google Maps will give you. 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. Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. Durango is the county seat and the most populous municipality of La Plata County, Colorado, United States. As such, one of the best things to do in Creede is to drive its famous Bachelor Loop. Tours and campgrounds are also available, and popular activities include sledding down the dunes (a time-honored favorite), four-wheel tours, and horseback riding. Long, steep ascents and descents, particularly around the San Juans. Durango High School, also known as the Durango 9-R Administration Building, is a former school in Durango, Colorado. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. Thank you so much for all the wonderful information. 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 distance between Denver and Durango is 372 km. All three cross Wolf Creek Pass on US160, which is truly scary only if your brakes fail on the way down. Answer (1 of 3): I agree with Alan about I-70 and I-80. If youve never gone mountain biking before, then this is a perfect place to try it out. Prices start at 117,500 per night. As with any hike or tour, just remember to bring plenty of water and some snacks along. 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. And good news for dog-lovers: pets are allowed on this trail but must be kept on a leash. But I need to leave here at midnight. Now I am thinking of taking another route. As of July 23, Colorado has. 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. Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. But assuming youre confident in your car and overall conditions, the Denver to Durango scenic drive down 285 South that also connects with US 160 at Del Norte is the way to go. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! Another great activity to do near Denver is driving the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. ), we woke up early and hit the road for what was a 2-hour drive to Grand Junction. #ouraygram. 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. Total Distance: 1,098 miles *Time and distance may vary depending on traffic, change in routes, stops along the way, etc. It is the route CasaAzul mentioned. Click here to browse more Durango hotels! Which route is the best? Click here to browse other private rentals. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? The direct drive from Colorado Springs to Durango is 313 mi (503 km), and should have a drive time of 6 hrs 20 mins in normal traffic.. Brittany is an award-winning journalist based in Denver where she has lived and worked for more than a decade. What kind of rental car do I need & are there places I should not drive a rental car? The shortest way is to take Route 285 through to Route 160, which will take you past Buena Vista. Well start our engines in Colorados capital city of Denver! Which route is the best? The national COVID-19 helpline number in Durango is 800-232-4636. Driving from Denver to Durango takes about six and a half hours. Portions of I-70 often close due to severe weather conditions. It may be a bit random and unexpected, but thats what makes Great Sand Dunes National Park so awesome! BTW also Mapquest gives the route Casa said but mentioned 5 hours. 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. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. Lots of good food in Durango. Durango is in southwest Colorado. This is a beautiful and quicker drive. Although its fine to just drive through this small town, if you have an extra day or two on your trip, we recommend spending it in Pagosa Springs. 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. Be sure to take a peek at, This is one town that has definitely earned its nickname as its surrounded by more than a dozen fourteeners. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? 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. Travel along this high alpine road is strongly discouraged amid snow, freezing temperatures, and blowing snow. Services like gas stations and restaurants are in good supply at Salida, Saguache, and other areas along the way. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. This is a beautiful and quicker drive. The next best thing to do on a visit to Colorado Springs is to head up to Pikes Peak. drive for about 54 minutes. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is. For casual hikers, the 1.6-mile Penitente Canyon Loop is a great option that wont leave you exhausted or needing an extensive amount of gear. It is centrally locate and has both private, ensuite rooms available along with hostel dorm beds. 5.5 hours of driving without stops. Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. That said, if you do hike Mount Princeston, still come prepared for a long days hike as well as a little rock scrambling. When beginning your Denver to Durango road trip, you have two routes to choose from. Driving Distance: 941 miles. 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. Another great activity to do near Denver is driving the, Of course, theres an endless list of things to do and places to see in and around Denver. 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. These are both safe routes. A direct flight will only take about an hour in the air, which will save you a lot of time. It's a fairly long drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? 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. Utah. Dont forget to clear ice and snow from your windshield, windows, mirrors, and vehicle lights before driving. What about Mine Tours and Mining Museums? Although its a small mountain town, its bursting at the seams with history, scenery, and adventure opportunities. Dont let snowy roads put a damper on your adventure plans. Having seen and read descriptions of the Million Dollar Highway, I'd like to avoid the drive south between Ouray and Silverton. It is located between I-70 and Keystone, offering an alternative route to I-70 and the Eisenhower Tunnel. 4WD and AWD vehicles must have snow tires or all-weather tires with 3/16 inch tread depth. 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. Thank you :) From there, turn left onto US-50 E which will take you into Montrose where you can resume the normal route along US-550 S. This detour will add approximately 80 minutes to your drive time. 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. All deals One way Roundtrip Tue, Mar 21 DEN Denver DRO Durango $195 One way just found 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. Roads surrounding the Denver metro area are often a mess, especially when you add snow and ice to the mix. Driving from Denver to Durango takes about six and a half hours. Raft trips in the canyon can be booked through several outfitters based out of Salida and the surrounding area, such as Browns Canyon Rafting, KODI Rafting, Noahs Ark, and several others. 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. The Map Start: Denver to Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs While I-25. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). Its important to note that dates and closures vary, depending on the weather and road conditions. Well, thats it for this epic Colorado summer road trip. As mentioned before, we at Mild to Wild know Durango like the back of our hands, and we have so many other recommendations for your visit. The drive time from Ouray to Durango is approximately one hour and 45 minutes. 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 . Do you think it is faster going the other route or should I rather take the old route because I drive thru the night? Take US Hwy 285 south from Denver for approximately 173 miles. Should probably count on 7 - 7.5 hrs - not easy to make really good time in the mountains. Not quite what youre looking for? Lots of good food in Durango. This is one town that has definitely earned its nickname as its surrounded by more than a dozen fourteeners. 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. Back in Durango, drive east on U.S. 160; get your camera ready for breathtaking views of the snow-flecked La Plata Mountain Range. Hiking, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, and off-roading are all staple activities here in our hometown. 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. From there, make a right onto US-50 E (passing back through Salida) and follow that for 70 miles until you reach Penrose. You know what? If not, the area works just fine as a pretty place to drive through. Another possible stop near Salida located in the shadow of Mt. This nationally-protected area consists of more than 30 square miles of massive dunes and is a must-stop for travelers nearing the latter portion of their Denver to Durango road trip. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! 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. 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. Snowcaped mountains in Berthoud Pass, Colorado. 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. Your trip begins in Denver, Colorado. Theres so much we could say about things to do in Durango. 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 . This 17-mile historic loop takes you to several abandoned mines in-between beautiful scenic vistas. Drive to Colorado Springs on Interstate 25 and on through Pueblo to Walsenburg where you'll take Hwy 160 west. Its also noted as the highest road in the country thats kept open on a year-round basis. Dont let the views distract you on Berthoud Pass. From there you'll make a left onto CO 291 S which will take you into Salida after eight miles. You can also go to Colorado Springs and Canon City and Salida then 285 to 160. 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.