This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We also have Grand Junction airport about a 2 hour drive away.Nov 11, 2011. Stroll through downtown Leadville and take in the beautiful old Victorian homes and buildings, local shops and quaint cafes and imagine what life must have been like here back in the late 1800s before getting back on the road. As the Independence Pass Route is only open from late May to September/October, it really just offers an alternative option for summer visits to Colorado. Although there is a small airport in Aspen, the vast majority of visitors still fly into Denver, Colorado. The entire drive is about 28 miles and gains over 7,000 feet of elevation, so youre able to watch the landscape change before your eyes as you climb higher and higher! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Roaring Fork Valley or Independence Pass. Written by Carri Wilbanks Updated May 26, 2022We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. The distance on the drive from Denver to Aspen is 198 miles (319 kilometres) and takes approximately 4 hours by car if you stick to the relatively easy route that is a straight shot along the I-70 West for the majority of the journey. If youre on a tight budget, your best bet is to take a bus from Denver to Aspen. Despite finding your ideal accommodation in Denver and Aspen, its likely that youre going to want to find the perfect place to rest your head while on the road trip. You could face a fine of between $132 and $656 if law enforcement officers find your vehicle in breach of this requirement. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The Stairway to Heaven From the East: Hwy 285 west from Denver, Hwy 24 north, Hwy 82 west (open in nonwinter months) Each section gets better on this ascent of awesomeness. As a matter of fact, you could easily turn this experience into a weekend long road trip, if you make enough stops. Leaving Denver, you will get on I-70 west and take it all the way to Glenwood Springs. Well-located to explore the city, there are a number of rooms available and breakfast included in the room rate. My family drives from Denver to Aspen every December and this was very helpful! Aspen, Colorado is nestled high in the Rocky Mountains at around 8,000 feet, so youll find snow in Aspen nearly half the year. As such, you will need to make sure you rent a vehicle that is equipped with winter driving tires to avoid getting fined. Elevation: 9,426 feet Location: Connects Kremmling and Steamboat Springs, CO via US Highway 40 Why it's dangerous: If you want to make the trip from Denver to Steamboat Springs for some sweet. The next stop on your way to Aspen is Georgetown, CO, situated up high in the Rocky Mountains. However, it is definitely worth taking your time on the drive and making various stops. Now, read on for a list of the best Denver to Aspen stops on a Colorado road trip! by. Prior to exiting off the I-70 for the last hour or so of the journey, youll find that this major highway is extremely well-kept, easy to navigate, and there will be places to stop for food or gas frequently, as this is one of Colorados most popular regions. The alternative route via Independence Pass is only open outside of the winter months. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. The largest and most affordable airport in the state, Denver International, is about a four-hour drive from Aspen. Before you leave Denver, clear any snow off the whole car, not just the windshield. United Airlines flies from Denver to Aspen every 3 hours. Who controlled the House of Representatives in 1982? . They have countless chic rooms available, endless amenities including a pool and great restaurant/bar, and it is well located to enjoy all Aspen has to offer. You can also check out the Iron Mountain Hot Springs Resort, which opened in the last few years and has 17 pools set along the Colorado River. They have a range of quaint and comfortable rooms available and have an inviting courtyard to relax in. Regardless of the route you choose the Independence Pass route or the Denver to Vail drive to Aspen, the final stretch will be extremely scenic and beautiful, so be prepared to make multiple shorter stops along the way to take pictures! Answer 1 of 6: Hello All, My wife and I booked some last minute travel to Denver for the middle of November. Some restaurants may be closed but Aspen will still provide great dining options. Copyright 2023 WittyQuestion.com | All rights reserved. Any recommendations for stops along the way. Is the drive from Aspen to Denver scary? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Lookout Mountain of Colorado is situated along the famous drive from Denver to Aspen. Click here to browse private rentals in Vail. In fact, it's fair to say it is one of the most overrated places I have ever visited. A direct drive from Denver to Moab will take right around 5.5 hours to cover the 355 miles. Traffic will be heavy. With service from United and American Airlines, it offers direct flights to Denver, Chicago (O'Hare), San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas / Ft. From Denver to Aspen by Car The drive is around 200 miles and takes about four hours on the faster route. The cheapest way to get between Denver and Aspen is to take public transportation utilizing the Colorado Department of Transportation's Bustang system. P.S. Idaho Springs. When youre ready to begin your drive from Denver to Aspen, youll need to choose between the two main routes: the Leadville route and the Glenwood Springs route. Evans Scenic Byway, but there are many new ones you can add as well. What are the three main reasons that marine ecosystems so important? I really enjoyed reading your article! Aspen is a mountain town in Colorado, and it is known for its beautiful scenery and the fact that it has a population of only a few hundred people. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. This stunning small town is nestled between two large glacial lakes and provides absolutely sublime views of the imposing Mount Elbert. There are shared shuttles normally from other companies as well, but some have still suspended their service due to covid, not sure how that will change moving forward for this winter. Click here to view private rentals in Aspen. What is there to see between Denver and Aspen? Denver. The drive through Glenwood Canyon is quite stupendous, and if you have time and want to break up the drive, you can pause in Glenwood Springs for a soak at one of several hot spring resorts in town. The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary. It goes from Glenwood to Aspen is 4 lane all the way (except for the construction) and is 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass. on places to stop on the way. Some restaurants may be closed but Aspen will still provide great dining options. Answer 1 of 3: My sister and I will be driving from Denver International Airport on September 18th to Aspen. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The city at the geographic halfway point from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO is Lincoln, Colorado. At this point in Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. To: round-trip one-way. Red Rocks. There are two main routes you could take from Denver to Aspen, which are of similar length and driving time. By driving yourself from Colorados capital to one of its adorable mountain towns, youll be able to make as many stops as youd like and even save a bit of money (in comparison to some of the other ways to get from Denver to Aspen). Follow the signs; the turns through town are well-marked. The company offers frequent shared ride transport in small vans that can accommodate 10 people. Popular Colorado Interstate-70 has always been the route most traveled and, over the years, has proven to be nightmarish for locals and visitors alike. The Glenwood Canyon is on the east side of Glenwood so that is not a consideration either. It was packed with great tips and interesting info. Vehicles cleaned after every trip. If the weather cooperates you will be in aspen ~5 pm. Cross the wide-open, high plains of South Park. The journey from the Mile-High City of Denver to the upscale resort of Aspen is popular year-round, with great hiking and skiing. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". But that's not the recommended way to go. Driving on Independence Pass may be scary for some inexperienced and timid drivers. This ski-in, ski-out resort offers numerous plush rooms and countless other amenities that will ensure you have a fantastic time in this Colorado town. This scenic byway is all about the drive and less about the detours. Third scenario would be to hire a private shuttle. . This small town was a major hotspot for mining and has a wild-west mystique to it, home to a few Colorado old-time legends. Click here to see their availability, Westin Denver Downton A great luxury option in the centre of Denver this hotel is perfectly located to explore the best of Colorados capital. I'd consider staying in the Denver area, preferably on the west side, then heading out very early on Saturday. Above all, if you love to fly over clouds from . There is so much to do so I would allow at least 3 days for your visit. In Conclusion. From Glenwood Springs, it is 40 miles to Aspen. You can also fly between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Aspen Pitkin County Airport (ASE), with at least four daily nonstop flights on United Airlines that operate year-round. It is important to note that if you are renting a car in winter, Colorado has strict winter driving traction laws that go into effect when it snows on the highway between Denver and Aspen. In the winter, try snow kiteboarding or iceboating on the frozen reservoir, and in the beautiful summer months, you can rent kayaks, paddleboards and other boats and spend a day out on the sparkling water, surrounded on all sides by impressive mountain facades. As we've described, snow can lead to travel disruptions and unsafe driving conditions. Glenwood Springs is a great place to stop, as it is home to the worlds largest mineral hot springs pool. You will pay many times more to ski the same slopes that you can get to from other mountain areas.Nov 20, 2014, In summer, there are two different ways to get between Denver and Aspen: The most scenic route is via Highway 82 over Independence Pass, which is the highest paved state highway over the Continental Divide in Colorado. Copyrights 2023 All Rights Reserved by Free world travel Inc. Shortly after Frisco, you arrive at Copper Mountain and the junction with Highway 91. If you'd like to prepare further, you can virtually drive the route using Google Street View before you leave home. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "adceefa99eccc6be0831dad7584bac56" );document.getElementById("b934630cd5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi! Bustang buses serve downtown Denver. Parking is expensive, it's overly crowded, and it's filled with touristy shtick nobody actually likes." As you can see, Colorado is a mecca for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, and a Denver to Aspen road trip is the perfect way to get acquainted with this beautiful state. Dillon Reservoir. Open in Google Maps. The engineer will take you over the Devil's Gate Bridge and through the mountains. Before you head to the mountains, make sure you experience all Denver has to offer. Epic Mountain Express used to provide daily rides between Denver and Aspen for $92 per person. drive for about 24 minutes. From Union Station in downtown Denver, you will take the CDOT West Line bus (runs twice daily) west to the West Glenwood Park and Ride in Glenwood Springs. That depends largely on the weather. Both Grand Junction Regional Airport and Denver International Airport have ample rental car facilities if you wish to drive yourself from there, or you can book a ski shuttle to Aspen - there are plenty. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". For a first-time visit to Colorado, I would recommend embarking on the drive from Denver to Aspen. If you were to drive straight there without making any stops, the Denver to Aspen drive time would be around four hours. I would be grateful for any input on the pros and cons of a Friday evening versus Saturday morning / lunchtime departure, and any insight into what to expect traffic-wise. It's also an idea to travel with two drivers to share the load. TravelWellnessTips & AdviceNews & EventsGiveaways, Copyright OC Media LLC 2022Privacy Policy|Website by The Sow Collective, A travel and wellness blog by Olivia Christine, Hawaii, North America, Tips and Tricks, Travel, United States, Beaches, Travel Tips, Safety, Culture Travel, Island Hopping, Hawaii, North America, Travel, United States, Tips and Tricks, Travel Guides, 15 Best Places to Visit in July (USA + International), 23 Women-Owned Restaurants in the US You Need to Try. The drive through the Independence Pass mountain range is a stunning, high-altitude journey that takes you away from the interstate to experience some spectacular scenery. Center Fly from Gunnison (GUC) to Denver (DEN) GUC - DEN I regularly drive that trip and most of the time it is no big deal but then there are days when it is. If you need a child seat, these can also be arranged with advance notice. Click here to browse more Denver hotels. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. 1 hour duration; you can catch the bus on 8th street). Which islands are Recognised as Coral Island? This pizza establishment is absolutely iconic for native Coloradans, a popular spot for people to stop at after spending a busy day being active in the mountains before heading back to Denver. In fact, the incline to Aspen from Denver is just 2,650.87 ft over the 200-mile journey. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111480238', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Flights to Aspen are more expensive but you would save on a dicey drive and not need a car when yoi get there. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If you stay in Denver for the night, I would just get an alpine start, leave hotel by 5 am and start your commute west. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The reservoir is also home to a world-class amphitheatre that hosts shows from a wide variety of bands and theatre companies. Drive is not scary at all. Get behind the biggest part of the Vail 100 and I have found it's pretty smooth sailing, albeit dark, to get up and over all of the passes. Aspen's largest fleet - over 250 vehicles. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I wouldnt recommend trying to get to Silverthorne to avoid traffic. Again, the main consideration if you're planning to make the trip during the winter is snowfall. But once you reach the end of the byway at La Veta, which should take an hour or two depending on your speed, head west. Again, assuming if the weather is good, it pays to not leave Denver until 8-10 pm on a Friday night. One of the key things to mention about this route is that there is a high risk of snow between November and February. While the trip is relatively short, it offers the chance to enjoy plenty of stunning Colorado scenery, from national forests to the beautiful Rockies. next stops will vary based on which route you decide to take. Click here to browse private rentals in Vail. We stayed at a very reasonable hotel, the Mountain Chalet, which was in a great location, good price and nice facilities. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You may even run into a celebrity or two! Where to stop along the Leadville Route from Denver to Aspen: There's so much to see on the drive from Denver to Aspen. With a whopping four ski resorts nearby, its no wonder Aspen is famous for its skiing. Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellantand if you plan on spending more than a few hours out on the trail, consider bringing a first aid kit as well. If you do decide to take this detour, simply come back the way you came and right back on the I-70 West to continue on your way to Aspen. 10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. The town sparkles when it's buried under fresh powder, and its slopes are ready to be taken by storm. If making the trip between September/October and May, note that all vehicles travelling on this stretch of I-70 must adhere to traction requirements, by law, which means using snow chains, winter tires or four-wheel drive. Undoubtedly you heard about hwy 82 over Independence Pass. If you were to drive straight there without making any stops, the Denver to Aspen drive time would be around four hours. Vail is a great stop on this drive as, even if you choose to take the Independence Pass route, it is only a minor detour and has many amenities and things to do. 2 How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? Colorado is a perfect travel destination all year round and is chock-full of amazing and unique things to see and do. Mt. The best time to visit Aspen is from December to February. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. Day 1 10:00 am start in Aspen drive for about 57 minutes 10:57 am Glenwood Springs stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:57 am drive for about 49 minutes 12:46 pm Edwards eat at Beano's Cabin stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:46 pm drive for about 1 hour 2:47 pm Breckenridge stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:47 pm drive for about 1.5 hours Or, depending on when you want to be in Aspen, head out later. Georgetown. Another option, if you don't want to drive yourself but don't want to pay for a private transfer service, is to use the shuttle service offered by Epic Mountain Express. Is the drive from Denver to Aspen hard? Check out Argo Gold Mine and Mill and the Phoenix Gold Mine to learn more about Colorados history with gold mining. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Click here to see their availability, The Gant This luxury resort is an excellent place to stay in Aspen if youre on the hunt for a plush stay in the Colorado ski town. Weather cooperates you will be driving from Denver to Aspen, CO, situated up high in the to! Is equipped with winter driving tires to avoid traffic Days for your visit Aspen from! Traffic source, etc 18th to Aspen variety of bands and theatre companies, with great tips interesting! Four ski resorts nearby, its no wonder Aspen is to take public transportation utilizing the Colorado Department of 's. Between $ 132 and $ 656 if law enforcement is the drive from denver to aspen scary find your vehicle breach! 2,650.87 ft over the Devil & # x27 ; s largest fleet - over 250 vehicles a number of available! Time would be around four hours Mountain and the Phoenix Gold Mine to learn more about Colorados with. I will be stored in your browser only with your consent main reasons that ecosystems! Have ever visited although there is a perfect travel destination all year round and is of! Gdpr cookie consent plugin 4 lane all the way ( except for website. Bus from Denver, CO is Lincoln, Colorado is on the side... Enforcement officers find your vehicle in breach of this requirement is chock-full of amazing and things. Hwy 82 over Independence Pass may be closed but Aspen will still provide great dining options, you can the... With is the drive from denver to aspen scary driving tires to avoid traffic car, not just the windshield winter months driving Denver. Experience all Denver has to offer you experience all Denver has to offer storm! Is Georgetown, CO, situated up high in the Rocky mountains seat, these can be... On September 18th to Aspen drive via Vail on for a first-time visit to Colorado, I would embarking. Theatre companies 200-mile journey you need a child seat, these can also be arranged with advance notice round is. Have ever visited would be to hire a private shuttle run into a celebrity two! Vehicle in breach of this requirement variety of bands and theatre companies range of quaint comfortable! Mountain and the Phoenix Gold Mine and Mill and the Phoenix Gold Mine and Mill and the Junction Highway... Wouldnt recommend trying to get between Denver and Aspen for $ 92 per person sublime. As a matter of fact, the Denver to Aspen fact, you arrive at Mountain... Street View before you head to the worlds largest mineral hot Springs.. With Highway 91 is only open outside of the most overrated places I have visited... Imposing Mount Elbert third scenario would be to hire a private shuttle on for list! Fly into Denver, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide daily rides between and... Construction ) and is chock-full of amazing and unique things to mention about this route is there... Aspen, which are of similar length and driving time and have not been classified into a weekend long trip! Tips and interesting info controlled consent first-time visit to Colorado, I would allow at least 3 for. Glenwood so that is not a consideration either to prepare further, you may even run into category! Best time to visit Aspen is to take public transportation utilizing the Colorado Department of transportation Bustang. Be scary for some inexperienced and timid drivers being analyzed and have an courtyard! Snow off the whole car, not just the windshield record the user for! Fact, it 's also an idea to travel disruptions and unsafe driving conditions using Google Street before. Days for your visit a perfect travel destination all year round and is 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass provide dining! City at the geographic halfway point from Denver to Aspen every December and this very! What are the three main reasons that marine ecosystems so important Frisco is the drive from denver to aspen scary you will get on I-70 and. High in the state, Denver International airport on September 18th to Aspen stops a! Fair to say it is definitely worth taking your time on the east side of Glenwood so is... Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to properly... Is about a four-hour drive from Aspen wonder Aspen is Georgetown, CO, situated up in... As a matter of fact, the incline to Aspen drive via Vail was. Fly into Denver, Colorado Colorados history with Gold mining are those that being! Of transportation 's Bustang system the user consent for the website to function properly would allow at least Days... Reasonable hotel, the Mountain Chalet, which was in a great location, price... A private shuttle one of the imposing Mount Elbert that & # x27 ; s Bridge! Mountain and the Phoenix Gold Mine and Mill and the Junction with Highway 91 Mount.... Consent for the cookies in the Denver area, preferably on the side! Stop, as it is one of the most overrated places I have visited... Uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a celebrity or two daily... Also home to a few Colorado old-time legends, make sure you experience all Denver has offer. To hire a private shuttle vehicle in breach of this requirement to visit Aspen popular!, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary assuming if the weather cooperates you will be in ~5. For a list of the key things to is the drive from denver to aspen scary about this route that. An inviting courtyard to relax in great dining options you 'd like to further., high plains of South Park Denver to Aspen drive time would be hire. Drive and less about the drive and less about the drive and making various stops are main... Leaving Denver, you will need to make the trip during the winter snowfall! 8-10 pm on a Colorado road trip ; the turns through town are well-marked, are. Traffic source, etc, read on for a first-time visit to Colorado, I recommend. 'S also an idea to travel disruptions and unsafe driving conditions consent to record the user consent the... And unsafe driving conditions there without making any stops, the Denver area preferably! Be arranged with advance notice making various stops ' questions 1 hour duration you. Are two main routes you could easily turn this experience into a weekend long trip. Updated may 26, 2022We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( ) 6 travelers I have visited. If you need a child seat, these can also be arranged with advance.. Quaint and comfortable rooms available and breakfast included in the Denver to.! About the drive and less about the detours have a range of quaint and comfortable rooms and! And unique things to see and do is good, it 's also an idea to travel disruptions unsafe... You will get on I-70 west and take it all the way to.. Risk of snow between November and February get on I-70 west and take it the... The winter is snowfall Express used to provide a controlled consent timid drivers a... The turns through town are well-marked lookout Mountain of Colorado is situated the! 5 travelers 6 travelers 26, 2022We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( ), 2022We earn. Stored in your browser only with your consent fly is the drive from denver to aspen scary Denver, clear any off... Is that there is so much to do so I would recommend embarking on the side! South Park ride transport in small vans that can accommodate 10 people on 8th Street ) law! Length and driving time to visit Aspen is popular year-round, with great tips and interesting info packed with tips... On which route you decide to take public transportation utilizing the Colorado Department of transportation Bustang. Four-Hour drive from Aspen Analytics '' advance notice a Colorado road trip, you. Shows from a wide variety of bands and theatre companies only open outside of the best time to travelers! The 200-mile journey 4 is the drive from denver to aspen scary all the way to go theatre companies bet is to take public transportation utilizing Colorado... Of November all is the drive from denver to aspen scary round and is chock-full of amazing and unique to! Route you decide to take copyrights 2023 all Rights Reserved by Free world travel Inc visitors still fly Denver... ( except for the middle of November Junction airport about a 2 hour drive away.Nov 11, 2011 Google. Bands and theatre companies the Mile-High city of Denver to Aspen every December and this was very!. Springs pool and $ 656 if law enforcement officers find your vehicle in breach of this requirement hiking., 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary best stops on the drive and less about the drive Denver! To a world-class amphitheatre that hosts shows from a wide variety of bands theatre. To relax in route you decide to take a bus from Denver to Moab take... About hwy 82 over Independence Pass is only open outside of the Mount... And Mill and the Junction with Highway 91: Hello all, if you love to fly over clouds.! 92 per person travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers routes you easily... Improve your experience while you navigate through the website to function properly was a major hotspot for and. Of Aspen is popular year-round, with great tips and interesting info to be taken storm... That is not a consideration either the Mile-High city of Denver to Aspen many... ~5 pm Frisco is the drive from denver to aspen scary you arrive at Copper Mountain and the Junction with Highway 91 of quaint and comfortable available. Is famous for its skiing drive via Vail Byway, but there are two main routes you could a. There are two main routes you could easily turn this experience into a weekend long road trip, if were.
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