The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. Does anyone know why? Semi trucks stuck on I-25. Theres not many other places where you can hike through desert-like dunes with snow-capped mountain peaks as your backdrop. Youll also get to take on thrilling class III rapids at Durangos exciting whitewater park. Well start our engines in Colorados capital city of Denver! Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. 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. I-25 is a major interstate highway that travels north and south, serving as the main connection from Denver to Colorado Springs. 4WD and AWD vehicles must have snow tires or all-weather tires with 3/16 inch tread depth. 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 . 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. After hiking the perimeter trail, take a load off and relax in Ourays Hot Springs. However, you can also drive up the scenic road yourself, join a guided bus tour, or even take a train to the top! A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. 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. That said, if you do hike Mount Princeston, still come prepared for a long days hike as well as a little rock scrambling. From Sand Dunes, head west on US160 over Wolf Creek Pass to Pagosa. Not much to recommend for food along the way. A third route (I-70 west, CO91 south, US24 south, US285 south, US160 west; this is through Leadville) is yet more scenic, partly because of its high mountain sections. According to a recent study, the average Denver commuter spends 83 hours per year stuck in traffic. That made for about a 70-mile loop of incredible mountain views! If you'll have the time try to visit both Colorado Springs (Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods etc.) Driving from Denver to Durango takes about six and a half hours. Your trip begins in Denver, Colorado. This is the route Google Maps will give you. Recommended Road Trip Length: 7 days. 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.. The cheapest month to fly is July. Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. 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. 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. I will try to go the route thru the Great Sand Dunes. Can I get to Rocky Mountain National Park without a car? 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. Read on for more about how best to plan for a trip from Denver to Durango with some opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and sightseeing along the way. Adding to all the chaos, Colorado drivers arent exactly known for their set of skills out on the roads and youll find more of those drivers in the Denver metro area than anywhere else. Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. Be sure to take a peek at Denvers Tourism website for other ideas of things to do. 172. 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. Traffic on I-70. You'll ride on a historic, coal-fired train that travels the same tracks as the miners, cowboys, and settlers who came to the Wild West did more than 100 years ago. to La Plata County Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $195 for one-way flights and $295 for round trip, for the period specified. Sand Dunes are great fun. 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. Hiking, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, and off-roading are all staple activities here in our hometown. Brittany is an award-winning journalist based in Denver where she has lived and worked for more than a decade. #3. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. It is located between I-70 and Keystone, offering an alternative route to I-70 and the Eisenhower Tunnel. 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 Guadalupe Victoria Durango Intl. Pack your hiking boots and a rain jacket as well if you plan on stopping at hiking trails or national parks and monuments like the Great Sand Dunes and Chimney Rock National Monument in the San Juan Forest. 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. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. As far as rafting day trips go, it doesnt get much easier or more fun than this! American Airlines also offers flights to Durango, but they require you to first stop in Phoenix, which means it will take at least 4 hours to arrive. Click here to browse other private rentals. You have permission to edit this article. 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. While its unlikely that traffic jams will ever disappear, avoiding peak travel times allows for an easier and stress-free commute. Avalanches often trigger temporary closures, leaving portions of the road buried under several feet of snow. Jan 31, 2006. 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. Regular fuel costs are around $3.96 per gallon for your trip. Its a lengthy stretch, but it also takes you through some of Colorados most spectacular wilderness areas, adventurous mountain towns, and exciting cities. 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. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. Outdoor seating areas are especially nice for sampling the beverages and entrees at either one. There was an error processing your request. Not far from the New Mexico border, Durango is actually closer to Albuquerque than Denver, with 215 miles between them. It takes approximately 12h 2m to get from Denver to Durango, including transfers. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Durango is recommended. How long is the drive from Denver to Durango? Lots of good food in Durango. Its also noted as the highest road in the country thats kept open on a year-round basis. You can also go to Colorado Springs and Canon City and Salida then 285 to 160. You know what? For another great SW road trip, check out our Ultimate Colorado and Utah Road Trip Itinerary. Along this route youll be graced with beautiful views of the town as well as encounter a few sizable waterfalls that make for perfect Instagram backdrops. To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? The longer one (I-25 south, US160 west) involves faster driving and more traffic. 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. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Durango is 800-232-4636. 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. This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. But it didn/t work. Research, browse, save, and share from 162 Dodge models in Berthoud, CO. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. Another great activity to do near Denver is driving the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. Can you tell me about guest ranch vacations in Colorado? What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Durango? Denver airport - 407 miles - about 7 hours drive depending on weather conditions Albuquerque airport - 244 miles - about 4:10 hours depending on weather conditions There are Greyhound buses that travel between the city of Albuquerque and Durango, but once again self-drive will be the easiest way to get there. Durango, Colorado 81301 Pass in SW CO? I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. High average elevation of 10,000 feet and a few passes over 12,000 feet. There will be some mountain driving whichever route you take, but there's no need to be scared. The next best thing to do on a visit to Colorado Springs is to head up to Pikes Peak. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Prices starting at $219 for return flights and $109 for one-way flights to Durango were the cheapest prices found within the past 7 days, for the period specified. Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. The drive from Denver, Colorado, to Las Vegas, Nevada, is a drive of epic proportions. Then, make a right onto CO-149 N and follow that for 22 miles until you reach Creede. Oh well. You can't get to Durango by train, but if you're looking for an old west experience, hop aboard the Silverton Silverlight Express. This is a great introduction to Colorados famous fourteeners and provides extraordinary views thatll redefine what you classify as a scenic byway.. There is also breakfast included each morning. Thank you :) Photo Credit: Christian Murdock; The Gazette. 10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. From there you'll make a left onto CO 291 S which will take you into Salida after eight miles. Be sure to enjoy the small towns along the way and explore the rural side of Colorado too! Last updated: 1 Mar 2023 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. Click here to browse more Durango hotels! The small roadside town of South Fork marks a point of transition where the Rio Grande River begins to shift from its high alpine origins in National Forest land and flow down toward flatter lands in New Mexico and beyond. Drive from Denver to Durango 336.1 miles $60 - $90 Fly to Durango, shuttle 5h 22m Fly from Denver (DEN) to Durango (DRO) DEN - DRO Take a shuttle bus from Purgatory Plaza to Durango Transit Center $233 - $570 Fly to Telluride Regional, shuttle 6h 32m Fly from Denver (DEN) to Telluride Regional (TEX) DEN - TEX Issue is that I (the mom, who is not going to be the driver) am fairly averse to heights. 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. 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. Mesa Verde is a world-class attraction that you really should see. 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. 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. 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. Photo Credit: Jerilee Bennett. You want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon. If you need to rent a car for this trip, you can check out Rentalcars.com which aggregates deals across suppliers. For instance, this beautiful treehouse home with a hot tub is a great choice. 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. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. Every month, almost a million vehicles travel the 100 miles on Interstate 70 between Denver and Vail, Colorado. Durango is in southwest Colorado. 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. 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. 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. 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. 2:05 pm Pagosa Springs (Colorado) stay for about 1 hour. The Map Start: Denver to Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs While I-25. 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. I took the highway and then 160 to get to Pagosa and it lasted 7 hours. Duncan is a writer for The World Was Here First. From Sand Dunes, head west on US160 over Wolf Creek Pass to Pagosa. 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. 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. The highway is also notorious for serious semi-accidents and spin-outs due to its steep curvy descent. Theres so much we could say about things to do in Durango. Dunes, not to be missed with children. Standard tickets are only $10 for adults, and this area also has a lot of great trails for hiking in the warmer parts of the year. Most crashes on the pass occur at the switchback curve near the Wolf Creek scenic outlook area. From there, make a right onto US-50 E (passing back through Salida) and follow that for 70 miles until you reach Penrose. Drive from Durango to Denver 6h 33m $60 - $90 Shuttle to Durango, fly Take a shuttle bus from Durango Transit Center to Purgatory Plaza Fly from Durango (DRO) to Denver (DEN) 5h 16m $223 - $531 Shuttle to Telluride Regional, fly Take a shuttle bus from Durango, CO to Silverton, CO Fly from Telluride Regional (TEX) to Denver (DEN) 6h 12m $437 - $865 When visiting Colorado Springs, 100% the number one thing to do is check out the Garden of the Gods. 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. Head out of town along US-160 E for 102 miles until you reach South Fork. But. Head south continuing along US-550 S (AKA The Million Dollar Highway) for 70.5 miles until you reach Durango. If youve never gone mountain biking before, then this is a perfect place to try it out. Driving to Durango from Denver is a beautiful, six and a half hour drive. This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. When you reach Del Norte, turn left onto CO-112 E for 13 miles until you reach US-285 N which youll follow for 64 miles. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. You can also fly from Denver to Durango, if all this seems to be too much. Situated in a beautiful, historic building, they have a range of gorgeous rooms on offer and a great bar and restaurant on site. Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We are travelling with 3 children from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 50 Animas View Dr. Its actually closer to Albuquerque than Denver as its not far from the New Mexico border. Save this link to stay updated on COVID-19 restrictions, If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636. If you follow this action-packed itinerary, youll not only find yourself immersed in some of Colorados most exceptional wilderness, but youll also discover fascinating history and take part in some of the Centennial States signature outdoor activities. 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. Red Mountain Pass. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. Where is Durango? Click here to browse more Durango hotels! Ancient home of the Ancestral Puebloans, Mesa Verde hosts some of the most impressive and best-preserved Native American ruins in the United States. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Or, Highway 285 to 160 is more scenic and has mountains but is not scary. Among the marquee attractions near Salida is Browns Canyon, which was also designated a National Monument recently in 2015. Long, steep ascents and descents, particularly around the San Juans. Designated drivers beware and drink responsibly, as youve still got a lot of highway to go on this Denver to Durango road trip. If you drove there from Albuquerque it would take you about half as long. Traffic congestion due to rush hour and ongoing construction is normally expected for this particular stretch of the highway.