least scary drive from denver to durango

Jan 31, 2006. Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. $206 Cheap Flights from Denver (DEN) to Durango (DGO) Bundle Your Flight + Hotel & Save! Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. 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 river flows right through town and features fun, refreshing splashes from class I and II rapids. This is a great introduction to Colorados famous fourteeners and provides extraordinary views thatll redefine what you classify as a scenic byway.. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Aetna is Monarch Mountain Resort. If youve never gone mountain biking before, then this is a perfect place to try it out. 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. If high-alpine hikes arent your jazz, another great place to explore near Salida is Great Sand Dunes National Park. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. Which route is the best? updated Jul 14, 2022 How long is the drive from Denver to Durango? The scenic section that we refer to as the Million Dollar Highway is the 25-mile section between Ouray and Silverton, then from Silverton to Durango the scenic road technically becomes the San Juan Skyway. You have two route options, both of which take you through amazing scenery and worthwhile stops. 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. Take US Hwy 285 south from Denver for approximately 173 miles. Independence Pass, Trail Ridge Road, Mount Evans Scenic Byway, and Kebler Pass all close annually for the winter season in Colorado. Then, make a right onto CO-149 N and follow that for 22 miles until you reach Creede. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join our mailing list for discounts, special events, and more. ), we woke up early and hit the road for what was a 2-hour drive to Grand Junction. Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Do you think it is faster going the other route or should I rather take the old route because I drive thru the night? For photographers, taking photos of the sunset from atop one of the dunes is an unforgettable experience. Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. Well, thats it for this epic Colorado summer road trip. 10 Best Stops on a Denver to Moab Road Trip. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. Can I get to Rocky Mountain National Park without a car? From there, make a right onto US-50 E (passing back through Salida) and follow that for 70 miles until you reach Penrose. Not much to recommend for food along the way. It ends in Durango, Colorado. We love Pikes Peak because theres just so much to explore, and because theres so many ways to actually ascend the peak! Denver --> independence pass --> Aspen --> Ouray --> Red mountain pass --> Durango. It's a fairly long drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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 . With a route that passes south on US Highway 285 through Pike-San Isabel National Forest and continues down to the Great Sand Dunes and the Rio Grande headwaters, the Denver to Durango drive is one of southern Colorados most scenic. Let us know in the comments! This drive is most densely populated with residential areas and small towns for about the first hour or so, but the rest is nothing but mountain passes, wide-open valleys, and National Forest areas, with the occasional town to break things up. 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. They zoom past gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery at speeds up to 75 mph, burrow through the highest auto tunnel in North America, and switch back their way over two-mile-high Vail Pass. One snowstorm resulted in more than 300 crashes in the Denver metro area, with 93 of those occurring within a 3-hour period. At Red Rocks you can catch concerts, stand-up comedy shows, film screenings, and, in the mornings, you can even join a yoga class. If you'll have the time try to visit both Colorado Springs (Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods etc.) Be sure to enjoy the small towns along the way and explore the rural side of Colorado too! Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. The United States Census Bureau reported a population of 16,887 in the 2010 census. Not much to recommend for food along the way. Mesa Verde is a world-class attraction that you really should see. Additional terms apply. There will be some mountain driving whichever route you take, but there's no need to be scared. Drop-dead gorgeous and nestled into the heart of the San Juan mountains, visiting Ouray 100% feels like youre being transported to Switzerland. Semi trucks stuck on I-25. 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. 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. Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. The highway is also notorious for serious semi-accidents and spin-outs due to its steep curvy descent. You could also travel on Route 24 to pass through Colorado Springs, before connecting and driving west on 160, which will add about 30 minutes to your trip. One of your first possible stops between Denver and Durango after youve merged onto US 285 South is the Tiny Town & Railroad thats just a short distance down South Turkey Creek Road. We love our home state, and we have more than a few top tips for things to do during your visit. Additional terms apply. When it comes to traveling through heavy snow, strong gusty winds, and blistering cold temperatures, heres our list of some of Colorados most dangerous roads to watch out for this winter. For a more complete guide on the hike, check out this Out There Colorado article. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Durango is recommended. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is. We tackled this whole itinerary in 3 nights but you would be better served to spend at least double that amount of time. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. Instead, you will have to first take the bus from Denver to Grand Junction, Colorado and then hop on a second bus heading to Durango. I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. It features a challenging switchback turn -on the west side- with a 200-foot drop off on the other side of the curve. According to a recent study, the average Denver commuter spends 83 hours per year stuck in traffic. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' The shortest way is to take Route 285 through to Route 160, which will take you past Buena Vista. 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. Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The creekside hot spring pools here are naturally divided with river rocks to range in temperature from 70 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 49 degrees Celsius), so you can even temper your experience by relaxing in the pool thats closest to your personal heat preferences. The drive between Walsenburg and Pagosa Springs is a very nice one. If you need to rent a car for this trip, you can check out Rentalcars.com which aggregates deals across suppliers. Only 33 mushers will participate in the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Saturday, the smallest field ever to take their dog teams nearly 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) over . 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. It is home to Fort Lewis College. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? It might sound like a bad deal, but these tickets can be a little bit cheaper than United's direct flights and it's still faster than driving. Problem is no-one knows what the weather will be then. So, pack your bags, fasten your seatbelts, and get ready to hit the road on this Denver to Durango loop road trip! It is located between I-70 and Keystone, offering an alternative route to I-70 and the Eisenhower Tunnel. A $15 Gratuity is included in all pricing above. Traveling with a dog or cat? To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. 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. Durango High School, also known as the Durango 9-R Administration Building, is a former school in Durango, Colorado. Alternatively, you may use. Not much to recommend for food along the way. Talk about a flexible experience! 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. We know what youre thinking: sand dunes in Colorado? But it didn/t work. Finally, youll make a left onto CO-115 N for 30 miles into Colorado Springs. Thank you. Grand Junction To Dinosaur This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. 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. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. Yes, the driving distance between Denver to Durango is 538 km. In addition to Pagosas famous hot springs, theres also whitewater rafting along the Piedra River, great hiking and biking trails, and more fascinating ruins to check out at Chimney Rock National Monument. I would say the "scariest" would be to take US160 over Wolf Creek pass - especially in winter.. Find all the transport options for your trip from Denver to Durango right here. The journey from Crested Butte to Ouray will take approximately 2.5 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. Am I allowed to travel from Denver to Durango? 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. Designated drivers beware and drink responsibly, as youve still got a lot of highway to go on this Denver to Durango road trip. It is impossible to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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 such, one of the best things to do in Creede is to drive its famous Bachelor Loop. But. 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. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. While its unlikely that traffic jams will ever disappear, avoiding peak travel times allows for an easier and stress-free commute. 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. Tours and campgrounds are also available, and popular activities include sledding down the dunes (a time-honored favorite), four-wheel tours, and horseback riding. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. In Winter do I need a 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle in Colorado? * Head out of Crested Butte the way you came in down CO-135 N and then make a right onto US-50 W for 65 miles until you reach the town of Montrose. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. Looking for the ultimate Colorado summer road trip experience? As of July 23, Colorado has. This somewhat low-key park is simply jaw-dropping. 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. Long, steep ascents and descents, particularly around the San Juans. If we could only recommend two things (as has been established as the pattern of this post), then the first wed recommend is a rafting trip on the Lower Animas river. 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. Oh well. I-70 has some gorgeous spots and does top out at about 11,000 ft when you pass through the tunnels near Loveland Pass. Snowcaped mountains in Berthoud Pass, Colorado. It's actually closer to Albuquerque than Denver as it's not far from the New Mexico border. Unless youre making this drive in the mid-summer months of June to August, its a good idea to travel with plenty of warm layers. 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. 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. What are the travel restrictions in Durango? High average elevation of 10,000 feet and a few passes over 12,000 feet. Lodging for 2 nights in Estes park in mid May, Where to stay near Union Station if using Red Rocks shuttle. Check out our Denver to Aspen drive & Denver to Moab road trip articles! Just assume that youll need your camera for just about every spot from here on out. Answer 1 of 21: Hi, I will be in Denver late Oct. had wanted to ride on Durango to Silverton train. jennifer reed blogger net worth,

Rockefeller Center Underground Mall, Roanoke Rapids Arrests, Jello Salad Without Pineapple, Grassroots Team Glassdoor, Articles L