Watch carefully for deer early mornings and twilight! Have fun, please forgive us our little OT chat. 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. 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. Another possible stop near Salida located in the shadow of Mt. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. briken - Denver to Durango is about 403 mi. ), we woke up early and hit the road for what was a 2-hour drive to Grand Junction. Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Durango, Holiday Inn & Suites Durango Downtown, an IHG Hotel, Denver to Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, Glendale Los Angeles County CA USA to Durango CO USA, Petrified Forest National Park to Durango CO USA, There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres. Its important to note that dates and closures vary, depending on the weather and road conditions. If high-alpine hikes arent your jazz, another great place to explore near Salida is Great Sand Dunes National Park. You can also rent ATVs and off-road vehicles in town if you prefer to not take your own car. Am I allowed to travel from Denver to Durango? ', 'Should I book online before I travel? 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. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! - Wikipedia. Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. 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. This is one town that has definitely earned its nickname as its surrounded by more than a dozen fourteeners. Recommended Road Trip Length: 7 days. 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. Reduced speed limits and temporary closures are often put into place for safety concerns. That's because Mapquest knows you drive fast Tet, lol!!! 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. 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. 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. Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. Colorados capital city has something for everyone: great food, impressive history, beautiful views, and plenty of adventure opportunities close by! The drive time from Durango to Creede takes just under 2.5 hours. There is no direct connection from Denver to Durango. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? Thats not too surprising we suppose as Coloradans tend to ski just about anything. How long will the journey be and what is the fastest route? Dont let the views distract you on Berthoud Pass. 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. 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. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is Brush Creek. After hiking the perimeter trail, take a load off and relax in Ourays Hot Springs. 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. I will be making this trip next week and look forward to seeing all this. 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. Having a Jeep or other SUV or truck may come in handy if you plan on doing any venturing down the dusty National Forest access roads, however. 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. It stretches from Denver to Durango across the Southern Rockies and can be hiked in 25-35 days. ! Cheap Flights from Denver Intl. 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. 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. Not to mention, its known as one of the most treacherous roads in the state. 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. This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. 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. As with any hike or tour, just remember to bring plenty of water and some snacks along. If you are concerned about scary mountain driving, Red Mountain pass isn't scary, but the first part of the Million Dollar highway from Ouray south 10 or 20 miles is. $206 Cheap Flights from Denver (DEN) to Durango (DGO) Bundle Your Flight + Hotel & Save! As of July 23, Colorado has. At Red Rocks you can catch concerts, stand-up comedy shows, film screenings, and, in the mornings, you can even join a yoga class. 4:17 pm arrive in Durango. Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock). 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. Planning other road trips from Denver? Cars are unable to make it up the pass during winter weather on a regular basis. Mountain Goat Lodge This boutique bed and breakfast is an excellent option if youre after a bit of luxury while driving to Durango. and Great Sand. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. 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. Traveling with a dog or cat? The cheapest month to fly is July. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? 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. 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. From Sand Dunes, head west on US160 over Wolf Creek Pass to Pagosa. Thank you for your advise. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. Not much to recommend for food along the way. In Winter do I need a 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle in Colorado? For a more complete guide on the hike, check out this, If high-alpine hikes arent your jazz, another great place to explore near Salida is, Crested Butte is hands-down one of the coolest places to check out in Colorado. That made for about a 70-mile loop of incredible mountain views! 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. 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. 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. You can also go to Colorado Springs and Canon City and Salida then 285 to 160. Can you tell me about guest ranch vacations in Colorado? The total cost of driving from Denver, CO to Durango, CO (one-way) is $53.28 at current gas prices. 4. level 2. Check out our Denver to Aspen drive & Denver to Moab road trip articles! I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. The quickest flight from Denver Airport to Durango Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 19m. If youre planning an escape to Durango in southwestern Colorado, a road trip will lead you through some historic miningtowns, scenic overlooks worthy of a stop, and unique hot springs that youll definitely be able to smell as you make your approach. 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. If you want to shop around for the cheapest fares, you can compare flights flying to other airports in Southwest Colorado like the Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) or the Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ), but that will require you to drive the rest of the way. Just assume that youll need your camera for just about every spot from here on out. BTW also Mapquest gives the route Casa said but mentioned 5 hours. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. Powerhouse Science Center, formerly the The Durango Discovery Museum, is an interactive science center located in Durango, Colorado. We have done the drive (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Another route, is to take US285 sw from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? First, head Southwest on US Hwy 285 S, which youll stay on for about 130 miles. drive for about 1 hour. According to a recent study, the average Denver commuter spends 83 hours per year stuck in traffic. 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. You'll be basically traveling in an L-shape on the two long sides of a triangle, instead of driving on the diagonal. As the name would suggest, this steep 3-mile hike takes you up to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the town and valley beyond. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. You have permission to edit this article. Click here to see their availability, Private Rental If its a private vacation rental that youre after in Durango, youll find that there are countless options to choose from. Prices start at 117,500 per night. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. This incredible amphitheatre is built right into the front range mountains, making for one of the most beautiful venues in the country. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. See what its like to plow this dangerous road here. Travel in the winter months can be nerve-wracking along Red Mountain Pass. To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive.