At this park, you can either take an easy day to drive to the scenic lookouts, or you can book a permit to take the steep hike down to the canyon floor and Gunnison river. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. Getting to Purgatory Resort Colorado | Shuttles - Powderhounds Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. What airport would I fly into to go to Englewood, Colorado? Thai place in Poncha Springs and Lost Cajun in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Driving from Denver to Durango? - Colorado Forum - Tripadvisor Driving Time from Denver, CO to Durango, CO - Travelmath Dunes, not to be missed with children. The creekside hot spring pools here are naturally divided with river rocks to range in temperature from 70 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 49 degrees Celsius), so you can even temper your experience by relaxing in the pool thats closest to your personal heat preferences. You might think about adding handicap information for some of the stops. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. 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. Travel along this high alpine road is strongly discouraged amid snow, freezing temperatures, and blowing snow. 2:05 pm Pagosa Springs (Colorado) stay for about 1 hour. Colorado, United States. Traffic congestion due to rush hour and ongoing construction is normally expected for this particular stretch of the highway. Thank you for your advise. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Traveling with a dog or cat? Every month, almost a million vehicles travel the 100 miles on Interstate 70 between Denver and Vail, Colorado. Dont let snowy roads put a damper on your adventure plans. But those in the know, slow down and stop in four . Denver to Durango drive: which route? : Durango - reddit Finally, youll make a left onto CO-115 N for 30 miles into Colorado Springs. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. Main Avenue Historic District in Durango, Colorado is a 34acre historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Travel in the winter months can be nerve-wracking along Red Mountain Pass. Its also helpful to pack warm layers, snacks, water, and a flash flight for unexpected delays and emergencies. 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. Roadtrip from SoCal to Mt Rushmore thru Colorado, Best Western Plus Deer Park Hotel And Suites. 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. While skiers and riders will often go to great lengths to get to the mountains on a powder day, its important to drive carefully along this steep and winding alpine road. Photo Credit: Matt Gross Things To Do Thats not too surprising we suppose as Coloradans tend to ski just about anything. That said, if you do hike Mount Princeston, still come prepared for a long days hike as well as a little rock scrambling. I took a GPS with me to attach in the rental car. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? Have any questions about any of these stops? Cost of Driving from Denver, CO to Durango, CO - Travelmath Which route is the best? Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! Traffic on I-70. With a route that passes south on US Highway 285 through Pike-San Isabel National Forest and continues down to the Great Sand Dunes and the Rio Grande headwaters, the Denver to Durango drive is one of southern Colorados most scenic. Independence Pass, Trail Ridge Road, Mount Evans Scenic Byway, and Kebler Pass all close annually for the winter season in Colorado. Another possible stop near Salida located in the shadow of Mt. Our next recommendation is to take a guided tour at Mesa Verde National Park. Aetna is Monarch Mountain Resort. Can you please describe the San Juan Skyway/Million $ Hwy/Red Mtn. Thank you :) 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. While its unlikely that traffic jams will ever disappear, avoiding peak travel times allows for an easier and stress-free commute. Durango to Denver drive - plan a road trip drive for about 54 minutes. 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. Check out our Denver to Aspen drive & Denver to Moab road trip articles! Of course, theres an endless list of things to do and places to see in and around Denver. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. Colorado is a beautiful state to drive through and the road from Denver to Durango has many places worth stopping to see, even if you're taking the shortest route. Silverton is an old mining town nestled between Red Mountain and Molas, two San Juan Mountain passes. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is Brush Creek. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. Although its a small mountain town, its bursting at the seams with history, scenery, and adventure opportunities. Either way there is only one high pass to cross (Wolf Creek, mentioned above), and I wouldn't call it scary. Traffic jam westbound I-70 highway Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock). I-25 is a major interstate highway that travels north and south, serving as the main connection from Denver to Colorado Springs. By Jeremy P. Meyer | jpmeyer@denverpost.com | The Denver Post. 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-550 S, which will take you into Ouray after just over 36 miles. The bus leaves Denver at 6:45 a.m. and arrives in Durango at 7:10 p.m. 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. What is the least scary route to cross the Rocky Mountains by - Quora Brittany is an award-winning journalist based in Denver where she has lived and worked for more than a decade. If you are traveling to Durango by bus, prepare for a long ride of at least 12 hours. caudesucre.com Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa Standard tickets are only $10 for adults, and this area also has a lot of great trails for hiking in the warmer parts of the year. Cortez is 50 miles away from Durango, while Telluride is 110 miles away. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. But. The Colorado Trail is a 485-mile point-to-point backpacking route in Colorado. Click here to browse more Salida hotels! If you have hopes of seeing both Denver and Durango on your trip to Colorado, you should keep in mind that the cities are 337 miles apart. Outdoor seating areas are especially nice for sampling the beverages and entrees at either one. 2023 The World Was Here First All rights reserved. Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock). The highway is also notorious for serious semi-accidents and spin-outs due to its steep curvy descent. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Cheyenne . Driving from Denver to Durango - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums For instance, this beautiful treehouse home with a hot tub is a great choice. Semi trucks stuck on I-25. Family RV adventure advice for Colorado, Utah & Wyoming. 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. Take US Hwy 285 south from Denver for approximately 173 miles. You can also go to Colorado Springs and Canon City and Salida then 285 to 160. The distance between Denver and Durango is 372 km. Which route is the best? 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. For casual hikers, the 1.6-mile Penitente Canyon Loop is a great option that wont leave you exhausted or needing an extensive amount of gear. to Guadalupe Victoria Durango Intl. Colorado's Most Dangerous Mountain Roads and Passes - 303 Magazine The United States Census Bureau reported a population of 16,887 in the 2010 census. Driving from Denver to Durango? - Colorado Forum - Tripadvisor Looking for the ultimate Colorado summer road trip experience? A $15 Gratuity is included in all pricing above. Camping, backpacking, and hiking opportunities abound in this area once the snow melts in the summertime. No problem finding gas and basic supplies, just not much "good" food or coffee. 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. Stops and things to do on Denver to Durango drive or road trip - Wanderlog As the name would suggest, this steep 3-mile hike takes you up to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the town and valley beyond. At Wolf Creek Pass, pedestrians can access the Continental Divide Trail and the Wolf Creek Trailhead. We extended it to a full loop: Boulder Canyon Drive up to Nederland, Highway 72 from Nederland to Highway 7 just south of Rocky Mountain National Park, Highway 7 back over to Highway 36, and then back down to Boulder. Denver to Durango - 7 ways to travel via train, bus, car - Rome2rio Durango High School, also known as the Durango 9-R Administration Building, is a former school in Durango, Colorado. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. 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.