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. Its a lengthy stretch, but it also takes you through some of Colorados most spectacular wilderness areas, adventurous mountain towns, and exciting cities. 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. Then, make a right onto CO-149 N and follow that for 22 miles until you reach Creede. Not quite what youre looking for? Either way there is only one high pass to cross (Wolf Creek, mentioned above), and I wouldn't call it scary. If youre hiking with children or just dont enjoy exposure to steep drop-offs, then its recommended to do the out-at-back version. Head out of town along US-160 E for 102 miles until you reach South Fork. For first-time visitors we recommend either taking a guided nature walk to learn about the areas history and geology, or just taking to the trails on your own to explore at your own pace. We love Pikes Peak because theres just so much to explore, and because theres so many ways to actually ascend the peak! 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. Head out of Creede the way you came in along CO-149 S for 22 miles and then make a left onto US-160 E for 17 miles. Click here to browse more Durango hotels! But those in the know, slow down and stop in four . Thank you. The river flows right through town and features fun, refreshing splashes from class I and II rapids. Do you think it is faster going the other route or should I rather take the old route because I drive thru the night? Watch carefully for deer early mornings and twilight! The views of the Rocky Mountain landscape here are impressive at any time of the year, but this is an especially good stop if visiting during the winter when you can enjoy the contrast between the calming hot spring waters and the snowy peaks and surroundings. I need to return tonight to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Denver airport - 407 miles - about 7 hours drive depending on weather conditions Albuquerque airport - 244 miles - about 4:10 hours depending on weather conditions There are Greyhound buses that travel between the city of Albuquerque and Durango, but once again self-drive will be the easiest way to get there. Have any questions about any of these stops? The drive from Salida to Crested Butte takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Every month, almost a million vehicles travel the 100 miles on Interstate 70 between Denver and Vail, Colorado. Prices and availability are subject to change. Not far from the New Mexico border, Durango is actually closer to Albuquerque than Denver, with 215 miles between them. Check out our Durango Activities and Things to Do page for more information. If you follow this action-packed itinerary, youll not only find yourself immersed in some of Colorados most exceptional wilderness, but youll also discover fascinating history and take part in some of the Centennial States signature outdoor activities. Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? The shortest way is to take Route 285 through to Route 160, which will take you past Buena Vista. The train route links Silverton and Durango, and you can even book a seat in a private car. It ends in Durango, Colorado. The distance between Denver and Durango is 372 km. Check out our Denver to Aspen drive & Denver to Moab road trip articles! This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. Getting there is through beautiful, mountainous country, but mountainous roads and I believe some white. 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. Duncan is a writer for The World Was Here First. Pricing is calculated from the Purgatory Transportation Terminal in Durango, Colorado, and is based on vehicle capacity and mileage as follows: 1-4 passengers $2.50 per mile; 5-10 passengers $3.00 per mile; 11-29 passengers $3.50 per mile. For us, one of the most fun things a first-time visitor can do is catch a show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Thank you so much for all the wonderful information. This is a beautiful and quicker drive. Additional terms apply. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. First, head Southwest on US Hwy 285 S, which youll stay on for about 130 miles. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. Prices and availability are subject to change. Not much to recommend for food along the way. I will be making this trip next week and look forward to seeing all this. 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. Durango is in southwest Colorado. 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 there, make a right onto US-550 S, which will take you into Ouray after just over 36 miles. The total driving time is 6 hours, 8 minutes. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! These springs are perfect for an evening soak when the day starts to cool and you want to settle down to reflect on the days adventure accomplishments. If you're planning a road trip to Denver, you can research locations to stop along the way. Find all the transport options for your trip from Denver to Durango right here. It's a fairly long drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). What kind of rental car do I need & are there places I should not drive a rental car? 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. First, head Southwest on US Hwy 285 S, which you'll stay on for about 130 miles. This 17-mile historic loop takes you to several abandoned mines in-between beautiful scenic vistas. updated Jul 14, 2022 How long is the drive from Denver to Durango? I'd judge the least "scary" of the three to be I-25/US160. You want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon. A $15 Gratuity is included in all pricing above. Click here to browse other private rentals. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join our mailing list for discounts, special events, and more. If youve never gone mountain biking before, then this is a perfect place to try it out. Dunes, not to be missed with children. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? Turn right on CO State Hwy 112 W for 13 miles until you reach Del Norte. If you hit the turn too fast you will go right off the edge. day 2 driving 3.5 hours. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is. The museum opened on February 23, 2011 in what was once a power plant. It is the route CasaAzul mentioned. Just a stones throw off 285 South before you reach the town of Del Norte on the Denver to Durango drive, Penitente Canyon offers scenic views and chances to hike, rock climb, and bike through the towering canyon walls. Instead, I'm proposing driving from Montrose to Cortez, with a stop in Telluride on the way. Plus, Durangos wild west and mining history give it such a distinguished and quirky character. Editors Note: Never speed. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. Start early in the day, bring plenty of water and snacks, and be sure to dress in layers. 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. Winter in Colorado is no joke. The journey from Crested Butte to Ouray will take approximately 2.5 hours. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. 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. This protected archaeological site of San Juan National Forest is best experienced by joining one of the daily guided walking tours offered by the U.S. Forest Service management staff. As mentioned before, we at Mild to Wild know Durango like the back of our hands, and we have so many other recommendations for your visit. Michael Rosebrock / Shutterstock 7. As such, one of the best things to do in Creede is to drive its famous Bachelor Loop. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. This canyon has high walls and granite cliffs that have been carved out by the slow grind of time and the erosion forces of the Arkansas River. Another route, is to take US285 sw from Denver toward Buena Vista and then south to Great Sand Dunes. However, if youre looking to check out something completely different but equally awesome in Colorado, you cant go wrong with a day trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. 5.5 hours of driving without stops. You have permission to edit this article. Have fun, please forgive us our little OT chat. So here I am in Pagosa Springs. If concerts and shows arent your scene, no problem! (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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. If youre not familiar, Monarch Pass leads to the natural snowy slopes of Monarch Mountain. So, stop by if you can. Click here to browse more Salida hotels! Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6e6fde05a476155cc84d0616c8a9c0f" );document.getElementById("b934630cd5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi! 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. Thats not too surprising we suppose as Coloradans tend to ski just about anything. Well, youve come to the right place. One reason you might choose to take the I-25 route from Denver to Durango would be if youd rather minimize the mountain driving on winding, less-maintained roads. While the route offers a fast connection to Winter Park from Denver, avalanches and snowslides often make winter travel on this route extremely difficult. The highway is also notorious for serious semi-accidents and spin-outs due to its steep curvy descent. That said, if you do hike Mount Princeston, still come prepared for a long days hike as well as a little rock scrambling. 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. Where is Durango? Along the National Parks Loop, you'll also go through some other small towns worth exploring like Telluride, Durango, and Buena Vista. There is no direct connection from Denver to Durango. The cheapest flight from Denver to Durango was found 29 days before departure, on average. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. The total cost of driving from Denver, CO to Durango, CO (one-way) is $53.28 at current gas prices. At Wolf Creek Pass, pedestrians can access the Continental Divide Trail and the Wolf Creek Trailhead. Get answers to your questions about Colorado. 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. 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. Breckenridge, Vail, Steamboat, or Estes Park for summer? If you'll have the time try to visit both Colorado Springs (Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods etc.) Here are some of the most worthwhile pit stops on the way from Denver to Durango: In Durango, you can marvel at the Anasazi ruins in Mesa Verde National Park, schuss down the slopes at Purgatory Resort, or go hiking through the San Juan National Forest. Dont let snowy roads put a damper on your adventure plans. 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. 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. 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. Among the marquee attractions near Salida is Browns Canyon, which was also designated a National Monument recently in 2015. 4WD and AWD vehicles must have snow tires or all-weather tires with 3/16 inch tread depth. You can't get to Durango by train, but if you're looking for an old west experience, hop aboard the Silverton Silverlight Express. The quickest way to get from Denver to Durango is to fly and shuttle which costs 300,000-800,000 and takes 5h 24m. Durango is the county seat and the most populous municipality of La Plata County, Colorado, United States. You can also go to Colorado Springs and Canon City and Salida then 285 to 160. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. Thank you :) If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from Denver, CO to Durango, CO. You can also calculate the cost to drive from Denver, CO to Durango, CO based on current local gas prices . Tours and campgrounds are also available, and popular activities include sledding down the dunes (a time-honored favorite), four-wheel tours, and horseback riding. When you reach the summit of Red Mountain Pass, you will be standing at an elevation of 11,018 ft. Legend has it that the name Million Dollar Highway comes from the 1920s cost to build the highway at over $1 million a mile. 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.
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