least scary drive from denver to durango

The Colorado Trail is a 485-mile point-to-point backpacking route in Colorado. Back in Durango, drive east on U.S. 160; get your camera ready for breathtaking views of the snow-flecked La Plata Mountain Range. 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. Click here to see their availability, Private Rental If its a private vacation rental that youre after in Durango, youll find that there are countless options to choose from. One snowstorm resulted in more than 300 crashes in the Denver metro area, with 93 of those occurring within a 3-hour period. Driving from Denver to Durango - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums A third route (I-70 west, CO91 south, US24 south, US285 south, US160 west; this is through Leadville) is yet more scenic, partly because of its high mountain sections. Denver to Moab - How to Enjoy an Epic Weekend Road Trip What about Mine Tours and Mining Museums? This loop of state-maintained highways through the San Juan Mountains can be done in your own car and at your own leisure, but be aware that various parts of this beautiful, scenic drive do feature steep drop-offs without guardrails. When it comes to traveling through heavy snow, strong gusty winds, and blistering cold temperatures, heres our list of some of Colorados most dangerous roads to watch out for this winter. Drive to Colorado Springs on Interstate 25 and on through Pueblo to Walsenburg where you'll take Hwy 160 west. 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. Tue, Jul 25. All Of Colorado's Most Dangerous Roads And Highways If youre not familiar, Monarch Pass leads to the natural snowy slopes of Monarch Mountain. It's a fairly long drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There was an error processing your request. Colorado's Scenic Million Dollar Highway: Silverton to Ouray Where Are Colorado's Dangerous Roads? Take A Look At These Maps Traffic jam westbound I-70 highway Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock). Although its a small mountain town, its bursting at the seams with history, scenery, and adventure opportunities. Greyhound is virtually the only bus company operating this route and ticket prices start at $63, although they can be as high as $140. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. This is one town that has definitely earned its nickname as its surrounded by more than a dozen fourteeners. Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. Hwy-347 turns off north from US-50 toward the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park 8 mi (12.8 km) east of Montrose, but this town also marks the start of one of the best-loved roads in the country, the Million Dollar Highway, a classic stretch of two-lane blacktop that forms a swirling ribbon through the San Juan Mountains, the wildest . This calculation assumes that your vehicle gets an average gas mileage of 25 mpg . Or, Highway 285 to 160 is more scenic and has mountains but is not scary. If youre looking to stretch your legs and get a good hike in while in Creede, the locals recommend checking out the Up and Over trail. more. When beginning your Denver to Durango road trip, you have two routes to choose from. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is. Cortez is 50 miles away from Durango, while Telluride is 110 miles away. 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. The longer one (I-25 south, US160 west) involves faster driving and more traffic. Thank you so much for all the wonderful information. Only United Airlines operates multiple direct flights a day from Denver International Airport (DEN) and Durango La-Plata County Airport (DOR), which is just 15 miles from downtown Durango. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. You will likely be going over Wolf Creek Pass and if this is a winter trip you will be going over one of the snowiest passes in the state, but it is plowed and maintained. However, you can also drive up the scenic road yourself, join a guided bus tour, or even take a train to the top! Monarch Pass winds beautifully into the mountains at 11,312 feet along the Continental Divide between Gunnison and Poncha Springs, located just 20 minutes from Salida. Alternatively, Outdoorsy is an option if you prefer to rent an RV or campervan. 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. Click here to browse other private rentals. From there, make a right onto US-550 S, which will take you into Ouray after just over 36 miles. We are travelling with 3 children from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? All deals One way Roundtrip Tue, Mar 21 DEN Denver DRO Durango $195 One way just found Designated drivers beware and drink responsibly, as youve still got a lot of highway to go on this Denver to Durango road trip. No matter the route you choose, you wont be disappointed with this breathtaking destination. Although its fine to just drive through this small town, if you have an extra day or two on your trip, we recommend spending it in Pagosa Springs. Click here to browse more Durango hotels! This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. But I need to leave here at midnight. When winter weather strikes, motorists are often advised to avoid taking I-25 from Castle Rock to Colorado Springs, particularly in the Monument Hill area where harsh weather tends to hit the hardest. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. After hiking the perimeter trail, take a load off and relax in Ourays Hot Springs. $206 Cheap Flights from Denver (DEN) to Durango (DGO) Bundle Your Flight + Hotel & Save! The drive from Denver, Colorado, to Las Vegas, Nevada, is a drive of epic proportions. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is Brush Creek. And speaking of snow, one of the most popular activities for locals at the dunes is to bring their snowboards, skis and sleds for some nice carving through the sand. Another great activity to do near Denver is driving the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. Those with a lot of time on their hands can hike or bike to the summit, which makes for a rewarding journey. Browse Dodge vehicles in Berthoud, CO for sale on Cars.com, with prices under $799,952. updated Jul 14, 2022 How long is the drive from Denver to Durango? Head out of town along US-160 E for 102 miles until you reach South Fork. Check out our Denver to Aspen drive & Denver to Moab road trip articles! A direct flight will only take about an hour in the air, which will save you a lot of time. These are both safe routes. Start early in the day, bring plenty of water and snacks, and be sure to dress in layers. 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. Thank you :) Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? Is this a summer trip or a winter trip? 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. You have permission to edit this article. See what its like to plow this dangerous road here. to La Plata County Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $195 for one-way flights and $295 for round trip, for the period specified. Just assume that youll need your camera for just about every spot from here on out. Take US Hwy 285 south from Denver for approximately 173 miles. Our next recommendation is to take a guided tour at Mesa Verde National Park. Colorado, United States. Driving from Denver to Durango? - Colorado Forum - Tripadvisor How long will the journey be and what is the fastest route? The social distance requirement in Durango is 2 metres. Lots of good food in Durango. It is located between I-70 and Keystone, offering an alternative route to I-70 and the Eisenhower Tunnel. Breckenridge, Vail, Steamboat, or Estes Park for summer? Which route is the best? As the name would suggest, this steep 3-mile hike takes you up to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the town and valley beyond. A $15 Gratuity is included in all pricing above. After spending the night in the alpine town of Vail (yes, on the drive over from Rocky Mountain National Park across I-70, we hit several patches of snow and temperatures falling below zero, even at the end of May! 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. Then, make a right onto CO-149 N and follow that for 22 miles until you reach Creede. High average elevation of 10,000 feet and a few passes over 12,000 feet. This 17-mile historic loop takes you to several abandoned mines in-between beautiful scenic vistas. Each flight takes about an hour, so this is definitely the fastest way to get from Denver to Durango. 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. At Wolf Creek Pass, pedestrians can access the Continental Divide Trail and the Wolf Creek Trailhead. Well, youve come to the right place. Driving to Durango from Denver is a beautiful, six and a half hour drive. Reduced speed limits and temporary closures are often put into place for safety concerns. This is the route Google Maps will give you. 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. Silverton is an old mining town nestled between Red Mountain and Molas, two San Juan Mountain passes. The bus leaves Denver at 6:45 a.m. and arrives in Durango at 7:10 p.m. Two-wheel drive cars can certainly make this gravel-road route, but its recommended to drive the loop backwards if your vehicle isnt great off-road. Apart from being the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte is where mountain biking got its start in Colorado. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75869024', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver Airport and we are supposed to go to Durango by car. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. There are 115+ hotels available in Durango. There is also breakfast included each morning. Wolf Creek Pass in CO: Beware of the wolf - Dangerousroads.org Its a stop with good lodging options and plenty of services, and there are also two great options for wine and beer tasting, respectively, in Aspen Peak Cellars and Mad Jacks Mountain Brewery. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. Durango is in southwest Colorado. Its also helpful to pack warm layers, snacks, water, and a flash flight for unexpected delays and emergencies. You have two route options, both of which take you through amazing scenery and worthwhile stops. In Winter do I need a 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle in Colorado? The small town of Bailey is about 25 minutes from Tiny Town at the bottom of a steep incline just as 285 bends and begins to trace a path along the North Fork of the South Platte River. From there, make a right onto US-50 E (passing back through Salida) and follow that for 70 miles until you reach Penrose. 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. Getting there is through beautiful, mountainous country, but mountainous roads and I believe some white. I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. When visiting Colorado Springs, 100% the number one thing to do is check out the Garden of the Gods. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-13327901', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver, then N to I-70E direct to airport. Having a wonderful time here. I-70 is a major east-west Interstate highway in the United States that runs from Maryland through Colorado into Utah, stretching for 2,151 miles. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? Monarch Pass in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6e6fde05a476155cc84d0616c8a9c0f" );document.getElementById("b934630cd5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi! Running between Ouray and Silverton, the mountain road caps off at 11,018 feet with grades as steep as 8%. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Architectural structures left behind by the ancestral Puebloans include pit houses, great kivas, and great houses, according to the U.S. Forest Services website. We will stop there for a break and continue driving. Having seen and read descriptions of the Million Dollar Highway, I'd like to avoid the drive south between Ouray and Silverton. United Airlines offers flights from Denver Airport to Durango Airport. Which route is the best? Photo Credit: Jerilee Bennett. How long is the drive from Denver to Durango? Its also noted as the highest road in the country thats kept open on a year-round basis. It might sound like a bad deal, but these tickets can be a little bit cheaper than United's direct flights and it's still faster than driving. Now I am thinking of taking another route. Click here to see their availability, The Salida Inn & Hostel If youre traveling on a bit of a tighter budget, then this inn and hostel is an excellent choice. Monument to fallen snowplow drivers. Thank you for your advise. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. 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. Michael Rosebrock / Shutterstock 7. What kind of rental car do I need & are there places I should not drive a rental car? ), we woke up early and hit the road for what was a 2-hour drive to Grand Junction. It's actually closer to Albuquerque than Denver as it's not far from the New Mexico border. Be sure to enjoy the small towns along the way and explore the rural side of Colorado too! 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. Dont let snowy roads put a damper on your adventure plans. Rome2rio makes travelling from Denver to Durango easy. 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. This is a beautiful and quicker drive. 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.



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