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. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. Its important to note that dates and closures vary, depending on the weather and road conditions. 'A little scary': Iditarod begins with smallest field ever Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. What about Mine Tours and Mining Museums? My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. 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. Keep in mind though, it's an incredibly long ride because you'll need to travel out of your way to switch buses in Grand Junction. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Durango is 800-232-4636. If you hit the turn too fast you will go right off the edge. 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. It serves as one of the main routes to Colorado's ski country including Vail, Aspen, Winter Park, Keystone, and Breckenridge. briken - Denver to Durango is about 403 mi. 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. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: jaramarzulli.com, +911647681164, +911647244548, +911646228156, +911646126349, +911645988738 Jara Marzulli | La poetica di un'artista Those with a lot of time on their hands can hike or bike to the summit, which makes for a rewarding journey. Im traveling with a friend who has limited mobility. 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. Check out our Durango Activities and Things to Do page for more information. That said, if you do hike Mount Princeston, still come prepared for a long days hike as well as a little rock scrambling. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Thank you for your advise. 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. This is the route Google Maps will give you. 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! While its unlikely that traffic jams will ever disappear, avoiding peak travel times allows for an easier and stress-free commute. 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. Colorado is a beautiful state to drive through and the road from Denver to Durango has many places worth stopping to see, even if you're taking the shortest route. Driving from Denver to Durango? - Colorado Message Board - Tripadvisor You can also go to Colorado Springs and Canon City and Salida then 285 to 160. As such, one of the best things to do in Creede is to drive its famous Bachelor Loop. The best way to get from Denver to Denver Airport is to train which takes 37 min and costs 4,100-14,000. First, head Southwest on US Hwy 285 S, which you'll stay on for about 130 miles. You can also rent ATVs and off-road vehicles in town if you prefer to not take your own car. more. Its actually closer to Albuquerque than Denver as its not far from the New Mexico border. How long is the drive from Colorado Springs to Durango?. It stretches from Denver to Durango across the Southern Rockies and can be hiked in 25-35 days. 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. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. Pass in SW CO? 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. Having seen and read descriptions of the Million Dollar Highway, I'd like to avoid the drive south between Ouray and Silverton. All three cross Wolf Creek Pass on US160, which is truly scary only if your brakes fail on the way down. Airfares from $109 One Way, $219 Round Trip from Denver to Durango. Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636. 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. The reason why it's so long is because there is no direct bus service between the two cities. BTW also Mapquest gives the route Casa said but mentioned 5 hours. 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. drive for about 54 minutes. 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. Colorado's Scenic Million Dollar Highway: Silverton to Ouray Have fun, please forgive us our little OT chat. You might think about adding handicap information for some of the stops. Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. Perhaps most amazing about this historic site is that the rock pinnacles for which Chimney Rock gets its name frame multiple astronomical alignment points. There is no direct connection from Denver to Durango. These are both safe routes. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Roadtrip from SoCal to Mt Rushmore thru Colorado, Best Western Plus Deer Park Hotel And Suites. Driving to Durango from Denver is a beautiful, six and a half hour drive. Am I allowed to travel from Denver to Durango? 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. Some of the road trip highlights include stops in Frisco, Ouray, Buena Vista, or Pagosa Hot Springs, each of which offers plenty of outdoor adventure. Cars are unable to make it up the pass during winter weather on a regular basis. Hiking, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, and off-roading are all staple activities here in our hometown. Michael Rosebrock / Shutterstock 7. It takes approximately 12h 2m to get from Denver to Durango, including transfers. 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. There are some different ways to approach a stop at the Great Sand Dunes, as visitors are generally welcome to simply take in the views of the dunes from the comfort of paved roads and maintained public areas, or they may strike out on foot and hike on the sands of the national park. Click here to browse other private rentals. Hi Diane, The drive from Denver to Aspen takes about 4 hours (if there isn't a lot of traffic). Monarch Pass in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Which route is the best? Services like gas stations and restaurants are in good supply at Salida, Saguache, and other areas along the way. Alternatively, Outdoorsy is an option if you prefer to rent an RV or campervan. How long is the drive from Denver to Durango? So, pack your bags, fasten your seatbelts, and get ready to hit the road on this Denver to Durango loop road trip! No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. The road distance is 537.8 km. Dont let snowy roads put a damper on your adventure plans. Driving from Denver to Durango? - Colorado Forum - Tripadvisor Although its a small mountain town, its bursting at the seams with history, scenery, and adventure opportunities. However, if youre looking to check out something completely different but equally awesome in Colorado, you cant go wrong with a day trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Transportation and Shuttle Services - Purgatory Resort 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). Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6e6fde05a476155cc84d0616c8a9c0f" );document.getElementById("b934630cd5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. Lots of good food in Durango. Colorado wildfires: Several fires explode across Front Range It's a fairly long drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Family RV adventure advice for Colorado, Utah & Wyoming. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? Alternatively, you may use, Best Western Plus Deer Park Hotel And Suites. 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. This is the route Google Maps will give you. 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. Recommended Road Trip Length: 7 days. and leave at 3:05 pm. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. From Tiny Town, the next few stops between Conifer and Buena Vista also tend to be good ones for travelers and looking to take their time, relax, and settle into vacation mode while on the way out of the Denver bubble. Last updated: 1 Mar 2023 Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Book at least 2 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. It is home to Fort Lewis College. The shortest way is to take Route 285 through to Route 160, which will take you past Buena Vista. Maybe there's a faster drive but we have not done that. Our next recommendation is to take a guided tour at Mesa Verde National Park. Are you planning to drive from Denver to Durango? Click here to browse more Salida hotels! 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. Which route is the best? It is the route CasaAzul mentioned. Durango to Denver drive - plan a road trip The museum opened on February 23, 2011 in what was once a power plant. Denver Area Road Trip The drive from Denver, Colorado, to Las Vegas, Nevada, is a drive of epic proportions. Browse Dodge vehicles in Berthoud, CO for sale on Cars.com, with prices under $799,952. 4WD and AWD vehicles must have snow tires or all-weather tires with 3/16 inch tread depth. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Total Distance: 1,098 miles *Time and distance may vary depending on traffic, change in routes, stops along the way, etc. 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. Head west on US-50 W for 60 miles, and then turn right onto CO-135 N which will take you to Crested Butte after 27 miles. The Perfect 1, 2 or 3 Days in Montpellier Itinerary, The Perfect 1, 2 to 3 Days in Toulouse Itinerary, The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Nice Itinerary, The Perfect 5 to 7 Days in Finland Itinerary (Winter or Summer). Click here to browse more Durango hotels! Not much to recommend for food along the way. Greyhound is virtually the only bus company operating this route and ticket prices start at $63, although they can be as high as $140. Architectural structures left behind by the ancestral Puebloans include pit houses, great kivas, and great houses, according to the U.S. Forest Services website. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. Colorado Scenic Byway: Tracks Across Borders | Colorado.com Camping, backpacking, and hiking opportunities abound in this area once the snow melts in the summertime. Photo Credit: Christian Murdock; The Gazette. You will catch C4-70 outside (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Click here to browse other private rentals. Issue is that I (the mom, who is not going to be the driver) am fairly averse to heights. Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. Mesa Verde is a world-class attraction that you really should see. I will be making this trip next week and look forward to seeing all this. Every month, almost a million vehicles travel the 100 miles on Interstate 70 between Denver and Vail, Colorado. Alpine travel often gets a little sketchy along Loveland Pass, an 8.7-mile road that soars high into the mountains at nearly 12,000 feet. Traveling with a dog or cat? No trip to the area should skip it in my opinion. Running between Ouray and Silverton, the mountain road caps off at 11,018 feet with grades as steep as 8%. Then, head toward Ignacio on CO Hwy. avoiding scary driving - Durango Forum - Tripadvisor Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Talk about a flexible experience! 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. Heading back to Denver takes one last straight-shot drive of one hour and 20 minutes along I-25 N. Just 70 miles along that highway and youll be back in the city at journeys end! In Del Norte, turn right onto US Hwy 160 W. Follow US Hwy 160 W for 118 miles. Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75890404', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pagosa Springs are the only 2 I hit along the route. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. So, stop by if you can. 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. What about the altitude/Altitude sickness? jaramarzulli.com Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa High average elevation of 10,000 feet and a few passes over 12,000 feet.