Colorados capital city has something for everyone: great food, impressive history, beautiful views, and plenty of adventure opportunities close by! This is one town that has definitely earned its nickname as its surrounded by more than a dozen fourteeners. As with any hike or tour, just remember to bring plenty of water and some snacks along. Durango, Colorado 81301 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. So, stop by if you can. The total cost of driving from Denver, CO to Durango, CO (one-way) is $53.28 at current gas prices. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. Cars are unable to make it up the pass during winter weather on a regular basis. Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? The drive time from Ouray to Durango is approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Having a Jeep or other SUV or truck may come in handy if you plan on doing any venturing down the dusty National Forest access roads, however. 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. Although you can explore much of the park on your own, taking a guided tour is the way to go as thats the only way to gain access to the most popular sites such as Cliff Palace and Balcony House. Of the collegiate peaks, Mount Princeton is designated as one of the easiest to climb. Breckenridge, Vail, Steamboat, or Estes Park for summer? I-25 is a major interstate highway that travels north and south, serving as the main connection from Denver to Colorado Springs. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-13326355', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver to catch a 10 flight. Head south continuing along US-550 S (AKA The Million Dollar Highway) for 70.5 miles until you reach Durango. Alternatively, you may use, Best Western Plus Deer Park Hotel And Suites. Not much to recommend for food along the way. Instead of following US-50 W all the way to Montrose, take a right onto CO-92 W for approximately 70 miles until you reach Delta. The arch and many of the other geologic formations here are the results of heat and pressure having formed volcanic ash into hard rock over millions of years. 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. How long will the journey be and what is the fastest route? The river flows right through town and features fun, refreshing splashes from class I and II rapids. Either way there is only one high pass to cross (Wolf Creek, mentioned above), and I wouldn't call it scary. Assuming you choose the route through the mountains on 285, youll still be on a paved highway for practically the entire timedepending on your chosen stopsso theres no major need for a high-clearance, 4-wheel drive sort of vehicle. 10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. Designated drivers beware and drink responsibly, as youve still got a lot of highway to go on this Denver to Durango road trip. Yes, the driving distance between Denver to Durango is 538 km. There is also breakfast included each morning. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. He lives in Colorado and also works as a fly fishing guide and instructor when not editing or writing. If concerts and shows arent your scene, no problem! By Jeremy P. Meyer | jpmeyer@denverpost.com | The Denver Post. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. Does anyone know why? Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: caudesucre.com Cau de sucre - blog de repostera creativa, recetas dulces y mucha fotografa! Traffic jam westbound I-70 highway Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock). (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? If youre looking for an all-in-one Colorado destination, Durangos definitely the place to be. 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. But assuming youre confident in your car and overall conditions, the Denver to Durango scenic drive down 285 South that also connects with US 160 at Del Norte is the way to go. And if budget is a factor in your trip planning and you're looking for the cheapest way to travel, you could take a Greyhound bus to Durango. 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. 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. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! 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. 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. 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. In Winter do I need a 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle in Colorado? The Perfect 1, 2 or 3 Days in Montpellier Itinerary, The Perfect 1, 2 to 3 Days in Toulouse Itinerary, The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Nice Itinerary, The Perfect 5 to 7 Days in Finland Itinerary (Winter or Summer). This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. Recommended Road Trip Length: 7 days. If youre not familiar, Monarch Pass leads to the natural snowy slopes of Monarch Mountain. Click here to browse other private rentals. 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. Lodging for 2 nights in Estes park in mid May, Where to stay near Union Station if using Red Rocks shuttle. Roads surrounding the Denver metro area are often a mess, especially when you add snow and ice to the mix. For more information, see our privacy policy. There will be some mountain driving whichever route you take, but there's no need to be scared. Now I am thinking of taking another route. 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. From there, make a right onto US-50 E (passing back through Salida) and follow that for 70 miles until you reach Penrose. You know what? and leave at 3:05 pm. One of the last places to stop between Denver and Durango is Chimney Rock National Monument, which features the ancient remains of a native Pueblo settlement dating back 1,000 years. It stretches from Denver to Durango across the Southern Rockies and can be hiked in 25-35 days. Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? What are the roads like, and what do I need to know about driving in Colorado? Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Check out our Durango Activities and Things to Do page for more information. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. 5.5 hours of driving without stops. This 235 mile loop takes you through old mining towns, spectacular scenery, and exhilarating twists & turns. Denver Area Road Trip Wearing a face mask on public transport in Durango is recommended. briken - Denver to Durango is about 403 mi. 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. If youre hiking with children or just dont enjoy exposure to steep drop-offs, then its recommended to do the out-at-back version. Keep in mind though, it's an incredibly long ride because you'll need to travel out of your way to switch buses in Grand Junction. So yeah, have your camera charged and ready for this spot too. I will be making this trip next week and look forward to seeing all this. Start early in the day, bring plenty of water and snacks, and be sure to dress in layers. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. #3. Head out of town along US-160 E for 102 miles until you reach South Fork. 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. 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. Problem is no-one knows what the weather will be then. That said, if you do hike Mount Princeston, still come prepared for a long days hike as well as a little rock scrambling. You want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon. Maybe there's a faster drive but we have not done that. PUBLISHED: June 26, 2012 at 3:07 p.m. | UPDATED: June 9, 2016 at 11:15 a.m. A three-day-old wildfire erupted with catastrophic fury . I would say the "scariest" would be to take US160 over Wolf Creek pass - especially in winter.. In Del Norte, turn right onto US Hwy 160 W. Follow US Hwy 160 W for 118 miles. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. You have permission to edit this article. It is home to Fort Lewis College. High average elevation of 10,000 feet and a few passes over 12,000 feet. Looking for the ultimate Colorado summer road trip experience? Once you arrive at your destination, Durango is an activity-rich railroad town with a history dating back to the post-Gold Rush era of the late 1800s. and Great Sand. Semi trucks stuck on I-25. If high-alpine hikes arent your jazz, another great place to explore near Salida is Great Sand Dunes National Park. If youve never gone mountain biking before, then this is a perfect place to try it out. At just under four hours, the stretch from Creede to Colorado Springs is the longest drive of this trip. This is a no-brainer as a stop for skiers and snowboarders traveling in the winter, but the Wolf Creek area between South Fork and Durango is also worth keeping in mind as a stop for travelers even in mid-summer. Although its a small mountain town, its bursting at the seams with history, scenery, and adventure opportunities. The drive time from Durango to Creede takes just under 2.5 hours. 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 . You'll be basically traveling in an L-shape on the two long sides of a triangle, instead of driving on the diagonal. Of course, theres an endless list of things to do and places to see in and around Denver. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. It is home to Fort Lewis College. High season is considered to be October, November and December. The cheapest flight from Denver to Durango was found 29 days before departure, on average. It features a challenging switchback turn -on the west side- with a 200-foot drop off on the other side of the curve. But. Traffic on I-70. The train route links Silverton and Durango, and you can even book a seat in a private car. What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Durango? Another great activity to do near Denver is driving the, Of course, theres an endless list of things to do and places to see in and around Denver. Family RV adventure advice for Colorado, Utah & Wyoming. It ends in Durango, Colorado. You can also fly from Denver to Durango, if all this seems to be too much. Is this a summer trip or a winter trip? From there, make a right onto US-550 S, which will take you into Ouray after just over 36 miles. Aspen vs Vail vs Breckenridge: Which Colorado Town to Visit? 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.