Wake up at a civilized time, maybe late morning, grab some breakfast and head up in the early afternoon (12-1) and have (weather dependent) a nice casual drive up and through the Eisenhower. Consequently we are going to either fly or drive to Aspen early on the Friday morning; or alternatively fly to Grand Junction on Friday morning, as car rental is so much cheaper there. Whether admired via hike, scenic drive, or gondola ride, Flagstaff's San Francisco Peaks are an incredible sight to behold.The mountain range, which is actually a group of ancient volcanoes that last erupted around 400,000 years ago, is home to Humphreys Peak, Arizona's tallest mountain, which rises to a height of more than 12,000 feet. If you stay in Denver for the night, I would just get an alpine start, leave hotel by 5 am and start your commute west. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111480614', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car (your post didn't state that but assuming so), and after due diligence of checking the weather along I-70 in the mountains, if the weather is sunny/dry for the drive, I would plan to drive up much later in the evening on Friday. If youre making a Colorado trip in the summer, try to make it to one of the free concerts Friday and Saturday nights through June, July and August. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Answer 1 of 6: Hello All, My wife and I booked some last minute travel to Denver for the middle of November. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111484181', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car, it will be dark. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. In fact, the incline to Aspen from Denver is just 2,650.87 ft over the 200-mile journey. Really, how you get between Denver and Aspen will depend on your budget, travel priorities, and timeframe, but if you enjoy road trips, we highly recommend making the drive in one form or another, as it honestly takes you through some of Colorado's most gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery. Popular Colorado Interstate-70 has always been the route most traveled and, over the years, has proven to be nightmarish for locals and visitors alike. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111526847', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane, then having a 2 hour drive sounds horrible. You dont need a car to make the most of your time in Aspen: Your feet will suit you just fine in town, and the bus will get you to and from the ski areas in an affordable and timely fashion. My problem is that I get really bad anxiety when driving. But that's not the recommended way to go. next stops will vary based on which route you decide to take. Depart: From here, it is at least another hour over Independence Pass down into Aspen.Feb 18, 2020. You want to drive yourself. How long can a foreign object stay in your ear? Our next stop is about 40 minutes further down the I-70. 2 How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? There are basically two main routes from Denver to Aspen, both are beautiful drives. 2902 South Glen Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601. Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellantand if you plan on spending more than a few hours out on the trail, consider bringing a first aid kit as well. The drive through Glenwood Canyon is quite stupendous, and if you have time and want to break up the drive, you can pause in Glenwood Springs for a soak at one of several hot spring resorts in town. There are steep inclines, steep drop-offs, tight winding roads, including tight switchbacks and narrow stretches that can fit only one car at a time. Denver is known as the Mile-High City, which means you are already at high altitude, so won't experience a major climb to reach Aspen. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. There's only one route to Aspen unless you want to drive a million extra miles. However, in this case, the route between Denver and Aspen features plenty of stunning natural beauty, including the Rocky Mountains and the White River National Forest. Youre not alone. After exploring Idaho Springs, consider making a detour on the Mt. Driving on Independence Pass may be scary for some inexperienced and timid drivers. The cost is around $35 at the time of writing. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Visit the famous skiing town of Vail (heres an audio tour you can do on your drive there), Hike Sylvan Lake State Park or visit Hanging Lake, Soak in the amazing hot springs at Glenwood Springs. Pull over and take a few pics! You can also check out the Iron Mountain Hot Springs Resort, which opened in the last few years and has 17 pools set along the Colorado River. Breckenridge comes in at 2,908 skiable acres across 155 runs, but it's all contained within a single ski resort, so you have more options than you might have at a single Aspen resort. The first couple of stops can remain the same, like Idaho Springs and Mt. The Rav 4 handled it like a champ, though I did miss the 6 cylinder power of the Rav 4 of past. Don't forget to carry out the usual vehicle inspections before setting off, such as checking the wiper blades and fluid. That way, you have the choices of which stops to make. If youre coming to vacation in Colorado, it is best to research your potential destinations; get to know the places well in advance and prepare yourself accordingly. Our flight gets in at 7:00 AM. Munich or Frankfurt: Which German City to Visit? Most people prefer Aspen for its Maroon Bells and skiing trails, while Denver has a better variety of recreational spots. As the Independence Pass Route is only open from late May to September/October, it really just offers an alternative option for summer visits to Colorado. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. 2 Lookout Mountain. You are NOT next to the mountain on one of the very scariest parts of the drive. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The Independence Pass route is faster and incredibly scenic; however, it is only open in warmer months because it is steep and narrow and potentially dangerous to drive on it if theres snow on the ground. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Check out our Denver to Albuquerque drive, Denver to Phoenix drive, Denver to Moab drive, Denver to Telluride drive & Denver to Las Vegas drive articles! Driving on the alternative route from Denver to Aspen As the Independence Pass Route is only open from late May to September/October, it really just offers an alternative option for summer visits to Colorado. Hey Pinterest Fam! Ella fell in love with travelling while studying abroad in Galway, which is what prompted her to come back to Ireland after graduating university and start writing about her experiences. Another option is to fly into Grand Junction and then the drive is very easy. In Conclusion. This roadway peaks at 12,095 feet high and is only open from the end of May to October. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. There are a few spots where there is a drop off on one side of the road, but even then you're still on a four lane, divided interstate. Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? To get to Independence pass, you'll take I-70 from Denver to Highway 91 south to Leadville and then follow signs to Highway 82 and the pass. The Glenwood Springs route is a little bit longer than the Leadville route, with a total travel time of 3h30m. If youre travelling with children, be sure to check out the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. On Saturday before 6 or after noon or you can double your commute time to silverthorne. Is the drive from Denver to Aspen scary? That depends largely on the weather. If you were to drive straight there without making any stops, the Denver to Aspen drive time would be around four hours. Again, the main consideration if you're planning to make the trip during the winter is snowfall. SusieLou and I are of like mind on this. If you are not interested in driving yourself between Denver and Aspen, you can still get there via a few other transport options, including taking a private luxury SUV transfer with a driver or taking a more affordable shuttle service. Year-round operations to/from Denver International Airport. There are basically two main routes from Denver to Aspen, both are beautiful drives. If you don't wish to drive from Denver to Aspen, there are a couple of other options. Colorado Highway 82 over Independence Pass between Leadville and Aspen is a more heavily traveled alternative (and I made it up and over it twice last summer in a Toyota Corolla). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Driving from Denver to Aspen in a rental car means you'll have a mode of transport to get around once you are there. To speed up your travel even more and maximize your Aspen vacation, you can travel back from Aspen to Denver the same exact way. While perhaps a bit kitschy, the railroad loop is well-loved by Colorado locals and people of all ages. find more stops. It was packed with great tips and interesting info. Additionally, the seasoned mountaineer can even trek up to the peak of Mount Elbert to reach the highest point in the state! The 200-mile route from Denver to Aspen via Glenwood Springs is the easiest and safest option, including a long stretch of interstate driving through the Rockies. Is there a shuttle from Denver to Aspen anymore? Thanks for all the info, exited to pack our bags. Keep in mind, Dry Park Road may not be drivable in winter. From Denver, get on the I-70 West. 7:50 pm arrive in Aspen. The safest option is The Glenwood Springs Route, while the alternative Independence Pass Route closes in October or early November and doesn't reopen until the Thursday before Memorial Day each May. If you're into stunning mountain pass views, head south at Copper Mountain through Leadville, then west over Independence Pass. Click here to browse private rentals in Vail. There's a reason the drive to Vail from Denver on a Friday is called "The Vail 100", because every driver is in a mad dash to get up the hills to maximize their time on the weekend. 10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Mountain weather is unpredictable, and traffic standstills are common due to the sheer number of people heading to various ski resorts for the weekend. The Grand Junction thing, does have its merits, but still coming in from London and jumping back on a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? So, a trip to Aspen for two people costs around $3,285 for one week. The Best Ways to Get from Denver to Aspen (cost, routes, and more), 5 Day Aspen Itinerary (Spring + Summer in Aspen, Colorado), 11 Amazing things to do in Aspen, Colorado in Summer/Spring, 12 Romantic Getaways in the US (Vacation Ideas for Couples), 10 Adorable Mountain Towns That'll Make You Actually Enjoy Winter, 15 Scenic Fall Hiking Destinations in the USA. Although it is mostly known as an upscale luxury ski resort, Aspen is popular with visitors year-round. Seats have seatbelts that allow for car seats to be strapped in. The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary. Day 1 10:00 am start in Aspen drive for about 57 minutes 10:57 am Glenwood Springs stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:57 am drive for about 49 minutes 12:46 pm Edwards eat at Beano's Cabin stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:46 pm drive for about 1 hour 2:47 pm Breckenridge stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:47 pm drive for about 1.5 hours The drive up and down the pass features lots of hairpin turns, and you'll need to pay close attention when driving, and go slow. I-70 has a regular 70 mph speed limit. The six hour drive from Denver to Durango is nearly Highway 285 the whole way, with a final two hour stint on Highway 160, passing Del Norte, South Fork, Wolf Creek and Pagosa Springs. Is the drive from Denver to Aspen pretty? Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Get behind the biggest part of the Vail 100 and I have found it's pretty smooth sailing, albeit dark, to get up and over all of the passes. Follow the signs; the turns through town are well-marked. That said, it is known to be stunningly scenic no matter which route you take. Finally, as Denver and Aspen are high elevation cities, some people may suffer altitude sickness. Since Aspen is such a popular vacation destination, its no surprise to find a company that provides direct transportation from Denver International Airport and Aspen (there are also a number of private shuttles but at a heftier price tag). If you would rather not drive yourself and want to travel in style, book a Luxury SUV private transfer from DEN directly to your hotel in Aspen. The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. There are shared shuttles normally from other companies as well, but some have still suspended their service due to covid, not sure how that will change moving forward for this winter. Something else to remember is that if you land about 3:30pm in January by the time you collect your luggage and get a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? These depart frequently from DEN, and will drop you at most hotels and resorts around Aspen. Parking is expensive, it's overly crowded, and it's filled with touristy shtick nobody actually likes." For lunch or dinner, diners heading toward Aspen should stop in this relaxed Glenwood Springs restaurant that serves some of the very best Mexican food in Colorado. Humans first settled in the area as early as 1880. Change at West Glenwood Park & Ride for the RFTA service to Aspen. Click here to see their availability, Lodge at Lionshead This alpine lodge is an excellent choice for a place to stay at the base of Vail mountain. There is an overlook en route, where you can safely park and admire the views. Glenwood Springs is a great place to stop, as it is home to the worlds largest mineral hot springs pool. Check in, have a nice dinner, and be ready for skiing the next day. 2 How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Traffic will be heavy. The other route is open year-round. If you need a child seat, these can also be arranged with advance notice. And finally, after a Denver to Aspen scenic drive, youll have arrived in beautiful Aspen, Colorado! You can book your Aspen shuttle on CO West Transportations website. You can fuel up at the gas station at Idaho Springs 30 miles into your journey. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111852146', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver for many years and it is very convenient most of the time :-). Ella is a writer for The World Was Here First. 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