briken - Denver to Durango is about 403 mi. Answer (1 of 3): I agree with Alan about I-70 and I-80. Lots of good food in Durango. Long, steep ascents and descents, particularly around the San Juans. Is this a summer trip or a winter trip? Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. Although its a small mountain town, its bursting at the seams with history, scenery, and adventure opportunities. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. The quickest way to get from Denver to Durango is to fly and shuttle which costs 300,000-800,000 and takes 5h 24m. No trip to the area should skip it in my opinion. If you're planning a road trip to Denver, you can research locations to stop along the way. 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. For a more complete guide on the hike, check out this Out There Colorado article. Ice and snow-caked roads, highways, and mountain passes make for dangerous and hazardous driving conditions across the state. The town of Salida is an excellent option, as it is a good halfway point between Denver and Durango and has lots of interesting things on offer. Tue, Jul 25. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. Top Reasons To Take A Jeep Tour In SW Colorado. 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. Thank you :) What kind of rental car do I need & are there places I should not drive a rental car? The United States Census Bureau reported a population of 16,887 in the 2010 census. This is a beautiful and quicker drive. Make sure to keep a safe following distance between your car and one in front of you. The shortest way is to take Route 285 through to Route 160, which will take you past Buena Vista. If concerts and shows arent your scene, no problem! Main Avenue Historic District in Durango, Colorado is a 34acre historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. 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. Looking for the ultimate Colorado summer road trip experience? Durango is the county seat and the most populous municipality of La Plata County, Colorado, United States. 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 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. You have two route options, both of which take you through amazing scenery and worthwhile stops. Your trip begins in Denver, Colorado. 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 . Another route, is to take US285 sw from Denver toward Buena Vista and then south to Great Sand Dunes. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Be sure to take a peek at, This is one town that has definitely earned its nickname as its surrounded by more than a dozen fourteeners. We know what youre thinking: sand dunes in Colorado? I routinely make the trip via 285 and it is much shorter and beautiful. I'd judge the least "scary" of the three to be I-25/US160. To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. Where to go at the end of November, Early December?!?! 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. Adds about 2.5 hours to the "boring" way, and is incredibly varied and constantly changing. Either way there is only one high pass to cross (Wolf Creek, mentioned above), and I wouldn't call it scary. Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. 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. Need we say more? The highway is also notorious for serious semi-accidents and spin-outs due to its steep curvy descent. 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. Avalanches often trigger temporary closures, leaving portions of the road buried under several feet of snow. One absolute must-do activity is hiking the Ouray Perimeter Trail. No matter the route you choose, you wont be disappointed with this breathtaking destination. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Find all the transport options for your trip from Denver to Durango right here. But. Last updated: 1 Mar 2023 Traffic on I-70. 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. First, head Southwest on US Hwy 285 S, which youll stay on for about 130 miles. See what its like to plow this dangerous road here. 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. There are long swaths of the drive down 285 Southsuch as the section between Fairplay to Buena Vistawhere you may lose cell signal at times and find higher chances of on-road hazards like wildlife, fallen rocks, and icy or snowy road conditions. Dont let the views distract you on Berthoud Pass. 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. Michael Rosebrock / Shutterstock 7. Travel in the winter months can be nerve-wracking along Red Mountain Pass. and Great Sand. 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. Check out our Denver to Aspen drive & Denver to Moab road trip articles! It is impossible to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Alternatively, Outdoorsy is an option if you prefer to rent an RV or campervan. If you're going on a road trip from Colorado Springs to Durango, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Pagosa Springs and top places to visit like . Photo Credit: Matt Gross Things To Do 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. 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. 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. 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. He lives in Colorado and also works as a fly fishing guide and instructor when not editing or writing. 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. 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. Afternoons can be hot and windy though. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. Can I get to Rocky Mountain National Park without a car? . 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. Drive to Colorado Springs on Interstate 25 and on through Pueblo to Walsenburg where you'll take Hwy 160 west. ! 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. All three cross Wolf Creek Pass on US160, which is truly scary only if your brakes fail on the way down. I'd judge the least "scary" of the three to be I-25/US160. It is centrally locate and has both private, ensuite rooms available along with hostel dorm beds. Travel along this high alpine road is strongly discouraged amid snow, freezing temperatures, and blowing snow. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. 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. The total cost of driving from Denver, CO to Durango, CO (one-way) is $53.28 at current gas prices. I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. We extended it to a full loop: Boulder Canyon Drive up to Nederland, Highway 72 from Nederland to Highway 7 just south of Rocky Mountain National Park, Highway 7 back over to Highway 36, and then back down to Boulder. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. The drive time from Durango to Creede takes just under 2.5 hours. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Durango is 800-232-4636. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. Aetna is Monarch Mountain Resort. 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. Thank you :) The surrounding area is also brimming with National Forest areas and hiking trails with dispersed camping and car camping options in good supply, so this is a good area to consider when thinking about spending a night on the road in the mild weather of late spring, summer, and early fall. My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Wolf Creek has gained a reputation all throughout Colorado as one of the best ski resorts to visit for anyone looking to escape crowds and long lift lines, and it also boasts some of the highest seasonal accumulations of snowpack out of any Colorado resorts, depending on the year. Outdoor seating areas are especially nice for sampling the beverages and entrees at either one. Not much to recommend for food along the way. Running between Ouray and Silverton, the mountain road caps off at 11,018 feet with grades as steep as 8%. It features a challenging switchback turn -on the west side- with a 200-foot drop off on the other side of the curve. At Wolf Creek Pass, pedestrians can access the Continental Divide Trail and the Wolf Creek Trailhead. 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.

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