least scary drive from denver to durango

My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. You can also go to Colorado Springs and Canon City and Salida then 285 to 160. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. You can also fly from Denver to Durango, if all this seems to be too much. 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. The drive time from Durango to Creede takes just under 2.5 hours. Ice and snow-caked roads, highways, and mountain passes make for dangerous and hazardous driving conditions across the state. If you don't have time to board the train, it's worth it to at least pay a visit to the railroad museum in Durango. 16 Best Things to Do in Colorado in Summer, Travel From Madrid to San Sebastian by Train, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From Rome to Naples by Train, Plane, Bus, or Car, The Top 10 Things to Do in Durango, Colorado, How to Travel From Denver to Las Vegas by Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From Montreal to Quebec City by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, The Best Places to See Fall Colors in Colorado, How to Travel from Los Angeles to Denver by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. But those in the know, slow down and stop in four . But it didn/t work. From there, turn left onto US-50 E which will take you into Montrose where you can resume the normal route along US-550 S. This detour will add approximately 80 minutes to your drive time. Monument to fallen snowplow drivers. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The social distance requirement in Durango is 2 metres. If high-alpine hikes arent your jazz, another great place to explore near Salida is Great Sand Dunes National Park. 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. The Strater Hotel Located in downtown Durango, this beautiful historic hotel is an excellent option for those looking for a bit of a splurge. In addition to Pagosas famous hot springs, theres also whitewater rafting along the Piedra River, great hiking and biking trails, and more fascinating ruins to check out at Chimney Rock National Monument. Of course, theres an endless list of things to do and places to see in and around Denver. 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. 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. There are some different ways to approach a stop at the Great Sand Dunes, as visitors are generally welcome to simply take in the views of the dunes from the comfort of paved roads and maintained public areas, or they may strike out on foot and hike on the sands of the national park. 4WD and AWD vehicles must have snow tires or all-weather tires with 3/16 inch tread depth. There is no direct connection from Denver to Durango. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. It features a challenging switchback turn -on the west side- with a 200-foot drop off on the other side of the curve. Although its a small mountain town, its bursting at the seams with history, scenery, and adventure opportunities. The journey from Crested Butte to Ouray will take approximately 2.5 hours. The route has an elevation gain of 9,000 ft and ascends through five climate zones to the 14,264-ft summit of Mount Evans. Head out of town along US-160 E for 102 miles until you reach South Fork. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is. 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. A ride on this tram takes you up to some of the best possible views of the Continental Divide, and it does it in a speedy fashion that makes this viable even as a short stop. For instance, this beautiful treehouse home with a hot tub is a great choice. Semi trucks stuck on I-25. If concerts and shows arent your scene, no problem! It ends in Durango, Colorado. Travel along this high alpine road is strongly discouraged amid snow, freezing temperatures, and blowing snow. to Guadalupe Victoria Durango Intl. Your trip begins in Denver, Colorado. Youll also get to take on thrilling class III rapids at Durangos exciting whitewater park. Instead, you will have to first take the bus from Denver to Grand Junction, Colorado and then hop on a second bus heading to Durango. Family RV adventure advice for Colorado, Utah & Wyoming. 4:17 pm arrive in Durango. I-25 is a major interstate highway that travels north and south, serving as the main connection from Denver to Colorado Springs. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Durango is recommended. 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. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? You'll ride on a historic, coal-fired train that travels the same tracks as the miners, cowboys, and settlers who came to the Wild West did more than 100 years ago. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. The quickest way to get from Denver to Durango is to fly and shuttle which costs 300,000-800,000 and takes 5h 24m. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Red Mountain Pass. Use this list as a springboard to get ideas for stops ranging from national parks and monuments to natural hot springs and quirky tourist attractions that youll find along the way. We love Pikes Peak because theres just so much to explore, and because theres so many ways to actually ascend the peak! As the name would suggest, this steep 3-mile hike takes you up to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the town and valley beyond. Lots of good food in Durango. 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 Thank you so much for all the wonderful information. If you hit the turn too fast you will go right off the edge. It is centrally locate and has both private, ensuite rooms available along with hostel dorm beds. The Million Dollar Highway is just a small portion of the 236-mile San Juan Skyway, itself a section of U.S. Highway 550, which runs 305 miles from Bernalillo, New Mexico, to Montrose, Colorado . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75870242', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver to Durango -- at least in any reasonable way -- without some mountain driving. Although its a small mountain town, its bursting at the seams with history, scenery, and adventure opportunities. If you'll have the time try to visit both Colorado Springs (Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods etc.) 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. Research, browse, save, and share from 162 Dodge models in Berthoud, CO. Im traveling with a friend who has limited mobility. Turn right on CO State Hwy 112 W for 13 miles until you reach Del Norte. If youre traveling on slippery or snowy roads, use caution, slow down, and please, take it easy on the brakes. This 17-mile historic loop takes you to several abandoned mines in-between beautiful scenic vistas. All three cross Wolf Creek Pass on US160, which is truly scary only if your brakes fail on the way down. briken - Denver to Durango is about 403 mi. Need we say more? I will be making this trip next week and look forward to seeing all this. If you are concerned about scary mountain driving, Red Mountain pass isn't scary, but the first part of the Million Dollar highway from Ouray south 10 or 20 miles is. If not, the area works just fine as a pretty place to drive through. There are lots of unique little shops and restaurants in town, and attractions like the Last Chance Mine offer a glimpse of history for those who are interested. Avalanches often trigger temporary closures, leaving portions of the road buried under several feet of snow. Or, Highway 285 to 160 is more scenic and has mountains but is not scary. ), we woke up early and hit the road for what was a 2-hour drive to Grand Junction. It serves as one of the main routes to Colorados ski country including Vail, Aspen, Winter Park, Keystone, and Breckenridge. 5.5 hours of driving without stops. Situated in a beautiful, historic building, they have a range of gorgeous rooms on offer and a great bar and restaurant on site. Michael Rosebrock / Shutterstock 7. Does anyone know why? If youre planning an escape to Durango in southwestern Colorado, a road trip will lead you through some historic miningtowns, scenic overlooks worthy of a stop, and unique hot springs that youll definitely be able to smell as you make your approach. Having seen and read descriptions of the Million Dollar Highway, I'd like to avoid the drive south between Ouray and Silverton. 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. 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. 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. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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. Sites such as Coller State Wildlife Area and Palisade Campground are excellent places to get out of the car and take in the views of the Rio Grande on your way up this stretch of highway. The surrounding area is also brimming with National Forest areas and hiking trails with dispersed camping and car camping options in good supply, so this is a good area to consider when thinking about spending a night on the road in the mild weather of late spring, summer, and early fall. 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. Recommended Road Trip Length: 7 days. 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. Answer (1 of 3): I agree with Alan about I-70 and I-80. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. 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. Prices start at 117,500 per night. 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. Taking I-25 adds something like 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, and will take you past the flatter, more populated areas of Colorado Springs and Pueblo. 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. Thank you :) and leave at 3:05 pm. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. You will catch C4-70 outside (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Have fun, please forgive us our little OT chat. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Take the bus from Union Station Gate B4 to Grand Valley Downtown Transfer Station, Drive from Grand Valley Downtown Transfer Station to Montrose Airport, Take a shuttle bus from Montrose Airport to Telluride, Take a shuttle bus from Silverton, CO to Durango, CO, Take the train from Silverton to Durango, CO, Take a shuttle bus from Purgatory Plaza to Durango Transit Center, Fly from Denver (DEN) to Telluride Regional (TEX), Take a shuttle bus from Mesa Verde National Park to Purgatory Resort. What airport would I fly into to go to Englewood, Colorado? That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you want to shop around for the cheapest fares, you can compare flights flying to other airports in Southwest Colorado like the Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) or the Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ), but that will require you to drive the rest of the way. Cheyenne . Its important to note that dates and closures vary, depending on the weather and road conditions. Where is Durango? (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? 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. Top Reasons To Take A Jeep Tour In SW Colorado. 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. To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. Are you planning to drive from Denver to Durango? I-70 has some gorgeous spots and does top out at about 11,000 ft when you pass through the tunnels near Loveland Pass. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. The river flows right through town and features fun, refreshing splashes from class I and II rapids. Brittany is an award-winning journalist based in Denver where she has lived and worked for more than a decade. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' We will stop there for a break and continue driving. 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. I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. For photographers, taking photos of the sunset from atop one of the dunes is an unforgettable experience. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Durango is 800-232-4636. Editors Note: Never speed. Driving to Durango from Denver is a beautiful, six and a half hour drive. Silverton is an old mining town nestled between Red Mountain and Molas, two San Juan Mountain passes. Rome2rio makes travelling from Denver to Durango easy. There will be some mountain driving whichever route you take, but there's no need to be scared. Be sure to enjoy the small towns along the way and explore the rural side of Colorado too! Before heading out, visit cotrip.org for the latest road conditions and closures. To get to Salida from Denver will be 2.5-hour drive. 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. Other points of interest include feeding the fish at the Wildlife Museum's fish hatchery, going kayaking on the Animas River, or stopping in at Animas Brewing Company to try the latest batch of beer. It is a 7 hour plus drive, not counting any stops. While the quickest route between these two cities would take a fast driver 12 hours to complete without stopping, we suggest taking it slow and enjoying everything there is to see on the way. As always, travel safe and enjoy the views! How long is the drive from Denver to Durango? That said, if you do hike Mount Princeston, still come prepared for a long days hike as well as a little rock scrambling. Legitimately called the San Juan Skyway, this nasty trek in southwestern Colorado features the Coal Bank Pass, a very steep and very scary road with weather that is harsh and unpredictable. 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. No matter the route you choose, you wont be disappointed with this breathtaking destination. It may be a bit random and unexpected, but thats what makes Great Sand Dunes National Park so awesome! This somewhat low-key park is simply jaw-dropping. Driving from Denver to Durango takes about six and a half hours. The distance between Denver and Durango is 372 km. My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Finally, youll make a left onto CO-115 N for 30 miles into Colorado Springs. 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. Can I get to Rocky Mountain National Park without a car? This nationally-protected area consists of more than 30 square miles of massive dunes and is a must-stop for travelers nearing the latter portion of their Denver to Durango road trip. The small roadside town of South Fork marks a point of transition where the Rio Grande River begins to shift from its high alpine origins in National Forest land and flow down toward flatter lands in New Mexico and beyond.

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