But. Durango is in southwest Colorado. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. Click here to browse other private rentals. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. We love Pikes Peak because theres just so much to explore, and because theres so many ways to actually ascend the peak! I will try to go the route thru the Great Sand Dunes. It is centrally locate and has both private, ensuite rooms available along with hostel dorm beds. After passing the Antero Junction, Mount Princeton Hot Springs is a short detour west down Chalk Creek Drive from Nathrop and Browns Canyon National Monument just as your drive has started to meet with the Arkansas River. No matter the route you choose, you wont be disappointed with this breathtaking destination. Well, thats it for this epic Colorado summer road trip. Before heading out, visit cotrip.org for the latest road conditions and closures. Traveling with a dog or cat? A ride on this tram takes you up to some of the best possible views of the Continental Divide, and it does it in a speedy fashion that makes this viable even as a short stop. 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. Family RV adventure advice for Colorado, Utah & Wyoming. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. It's actually closer to Albuquerque than Denver as it's not far from the New Mexico border. From Sand Dunes, head west on US160 over Wolf Creek Pass to Pagosa. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. If youre hiking with children or just dont enjoy exposure to steep drop-offs, then its recommended to do the out-at-back version. What are the roads like, and what do I need to know about driving in Colorado? Then, head toward Ignacio on CO Hwy. 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. 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. From there, make a right onto US-50 E (passing back through Salida) and follow that for 70 miles until you reach Penrose. From there you'll make a left onto CO 291 S which will take you into Salida after eight miles. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Durango is recommended. This is a beautiful and quicker drive. Can I get to Rocky Mountain National Park without a car? BTW also Mapquest gives the route Casa said but mentioned 5 hours. Do you think it is faster going the other route or should I rather take the old route because I drive thru the night? First, head Southwest on US Hwy 285 S, which youll stay on for about 130 miles. It is impossible to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The drive time from Ouray to Durango is approximately one hour and 45 minutes. It's said to be one of the most dangerous roads in Colorado. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Not far from the New Mexico border, Durango is actually closer to Albuquerque than Denver, with 215 miles between them. Start early in the day, bring plenty of water and snacks, and be sure to dress in layers. While its unlikely that traffic jams will ever disappear, avoiding peak travel times allows for an easier and stress-free commute. This 235 mile loop takes you through old mining towns, spectacular scenery, and exhilarating twists & turns. Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? I will be making this trip next week and look forward to seeing all this. The Colorado Trail is a 485-mile point-to-point backpacking route in Colorado. You can also go to Colorado Springs and Canon City and Salida then 285 to 160. When visiting Colorado Springs, 100% the number one thing to do is check out the Garden of the Gods. 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. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. If youre traveling on slippery or snowy roads, use caution, slow down, and please, take it easy on the brakes. Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! If youre not familiar, Monarch Pass leads to the natural snowy slopes of Monarch Mountain. Book at least 2 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. We are travelling with 3 children from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We love our home state, and we have more than a few top tips for things to do during your visit. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. Along the National Parks Loop, you'll also go through some other small towns worth exploring like Telluride, Durango, and Buena Vista. This incredible amphitheatre is built right into the front range mountains, making for one of the most beautiful venues in the country. Am I allowed to travel from Denver to Durango? What about the altitude/Altitude sickness? 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. Casa's route is good. I took a GPS with me to attach in the rental car. There is also breakfast included each morning. Crested Butte is hands-down one of the coolest places to check out in Colorado. Tours and campgrounds are also available, and popular activities include sledding down the dunes (a time-honored favorite), four-wheel tours, and horseback riding. This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. After hiking the perimeter trail, take a load off and relax in Ourays Hot Springs. 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. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Durango is 800-232-4636. It features a challenging switchback turn -on the west side- with a 200-foot drop off on the other side of the curve. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! What kind of rental car do I need & are there places I should not drive a rental car? As you reach the classic mountain town of Salida and the nearby area, the Arkansas River is the main artery for a lot of watersports recreation, from fly fishing and whitewater rafting to kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The United States Census Bureau reported a population of 16,887 in the 2010 census. The most straightforward choice for the least amount of time on the road is to simply take I-70 West out of Denver, which is the only main highway you need to follow on this drive until making an exit at Highway 9 just 10 to 15 minutes before you arrive at Breckenridge. drive for about 54 minutes. Can you tell me about guest ranch vacations in Colorado? Which route is the best? I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. Instead, I'm proposing driving from Montrose to Cortez, with a stop in Telluride on the way. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. 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. As the name would suggest, this trail takes you around the entire town dont worry, there are plenty of places to enter or exit the trail for a shorter hike. 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. 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. At Wolf Creek Pass, pedestrians can access the Continental Divide Trail and the Wolf Creek Trailhead. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? But those in the know, slow down and stop in four . Which route is the best? 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. Travel along this high alpine road is strongly discouraged amid snow, freezing temperatures, and blowing snow. Cars are unable to make it up the pass during winter weather on a regular basis. Click here to see their availability. Monument to fallen snowplow drivers. If you hit the turn too fast you will go right off the edge. Your best and most scenic route from Denver to Durango tends to be 285 South, though you could also choose to go straight south from Denver on Interstate 25. There are lots of unique little shops and restaurants in town, and attractions like the Last Chance Mine offer a glimpse of history for those who are interested. If high-alpine hikes arent your jazz, another great place to explore near Salida is Great Sand Dunes National Park. If you are headed to the mountains on the weekend, plan ahead for more traffic than usual. The direct drive from Colorado Springs to Durango is 313 mi (503 km), and should have a drive time of 6 hrs 20 mins in normal traffic.. Located 60 miles west of Denver, this incredible highway is the highest paved road in North America. We have done the drive (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' Plus, Durangos wild west and mining history give it such a distinguished and quirky character. The picnic area is also nice for anyone who has packed food for the road trip in a cooler and might want to have lunch before getting back on the road. You can also fly from Denver to Durango, if all this seems to be too much. What are the travel restrictions in Durango? There is no direct connection from Denver to Durango. Aetna is Monarch Mountain Resort. These are both safe routes. 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.