Once you reach the West Glenwood Park and Ride, you can catch the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) bus L into Aspen. Visit the famous skiing town of Vail (heres an audio tour you can do on your drive there), Hike Sylvan Lake State Park or visit Hanging Lake, Soak in the amazing hot springs at Glenwood Springs. Wait until noon and there likely won't be much, depending on weather and accidents. It is a completely safe drive as long as you follow the speed limit and drive attentively! In summer, there are two different ways to get between Denver and Aspen: The most scenic route is via Highway 82 over Independence Pass, which is the highest paved state highway over the Continental Divide in Colorado. Snacks and beverages are also served, and the service includes a complimentary 20-minute rest stop to stretch your legs. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Check out Argo Gold Mine and Mill and the Phoenix Gold Mine to learn more about Colorados history with gold mining. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. You can book your Aspen shuttle on CO West Transportations website. Prior to exiting off the I-70 for the last hour or so of the journey, youll find that this major highway is extremely well-kept, easy to navigate, and there will be places to stop for food or gas frequently, as this is one of Colorados most popular regions. Drive from Aspen to Denver 160.5 miles $29 - $45 Fly from Aspen 3h 6m Fly from Aspen (ASE) to Denver (DEN) ASE - DEN $195 - $663 Drive, bus to Gunnison, fly 7h 11m Drive from Aspen to Mt Crested Butte Transit Center Take the bus from Mt Crested Butte Transit Center to Gunnison Rec. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. You dont need a car to make the most of your time in Aspen: Your feet will suit you just fine in town, and the bus will get you to and from the ski areas in an affordable and timely fashion. Glenwood Springs is a great place to stop, as it is home to the worlds largest mineral hot springs pool. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. And luckily, United Airlines runs half a dozen flights between these two Colorado cities every single day! Denver is known as the Mile-High City, which means you are already at high altitude, so won't experience a major climb to reach Aspen. Is the drive from Denver to Aspen scary? No traffic and no mountain passes. 3:44 pm arrive in Denver. Third scenario would be to hire a private shuttle. As one of the US' busiest roads, you can expect heavy traffic at times on I-70. Vail is a great stop on this drive as, even if you choose to take the Independence Pass route, it is only a minor detour and has many amenities and things to do. When it comes to skiable acres, Aspen comes out the clear winner. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Audi's first all electric car is set to make a spot in aspen for free test drives. Popular Colorado Interstate-70 has always been the route most traveled and, over the years, has proven to be nightmarish for locals and visitors alike. I have a fear of heights, and cannot drive highway 24 between Leadville and Minturn. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. By driving yourself from Colorados capital to one of its adorable mountain towns, youll be able to make as many stops as youd like and even save a bit of money (in comparison to some of the other ways to get from Denver to Aspen). Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. With a whopping four ski resorts nearby, its no wonder Aspen is famous for its skiing. Without question, the can't-miss drive to Aspen from the front range is over Independence Pass (via Highway 82, which is open during the non-winter months- Independence Pass is closed for winter! The Glenwood Canyon is on the east side of Glenwood so that is not a consideration either. Make sure to pause at the top of the pass to snap a few pictures and marvel at the high alpine terrain. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Alternatively we could stay the Friday night in Denver and leave for Aspen on the Saturday. 1 Is the drive from Denver to Aspen hard? Drive for about forty-five minutes before making your first stop- Idaho Springs. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Is the drive from Denver to Aspen pretty? However, check before you travel, as the service to Aspen is sometimes suspended. The city at the geographic halfway point from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO is Lincoln, Colorado. From Denver, it is about a 3-hour-and-45-minute drive to Aspen. Ski, hike, bike, rock-climb, or horseback ride to your hearts content- Aspen has it all and is the perfect place to end a Colorado road trip. Private Car and Charter services available. Day 1 10:00 am start in Aspen drive for about 57 minutes 10:57 am Glenwood Springs stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:57 am drive for about 49 minutes 12:46 pm Edwards eat at Beano's Cabin stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:46 pm drive for about 1 hour 2:47 pm Breckenridge stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:47 pm drive for about 1.5 hours This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. To: round-trip one-way. Denver to Aspen drive is a perfect starting point for your trip to the state of Colorado. Take a stroll along the hike/ bike path along the river (which goes forever). Fitted your vehicle with tire chains or alternate traction devices in snow is a legal requirement for vehicles below 16,001 lb. While this is most likely from November to February, the weather in this region can be unpredictable. From Denver, drive for about 30 minutes along the US-6 West until you reach the small town of Morrison, where Red Rocks is located. Then either catch a shuttle service or $7 RFTA bus (approx. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The trip takes a little over four hours, and the vans are comfortable, although you will be traveling with other passengers. 2023 The World Was Here First All rights reserved. This ski-in, ski-out resort offers numerous plush rooms and countless other amenities that will ensure you have a fantastic time in this Colorado town. Colorado is a perfect travel destination all year round and is chock-full of amazing and unique things to see and do. This narrowness only lasts a mile or so. You want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon. Travel tip: If youre driving roundtrip during Spring - Autumn, you can alternate your choice on the drive back from Aspen to Denver. In summer, there are two different ways to get between Denver and Aspen: The most scenic route is via Highway 82 over Independence Pass, which is the highest paved state highway over the Continental Divide in Colorado. It takes just under two hours to reach Leadville, which is a nice spot to stop for a coffee or lunch. Again, assuming if the weather is good, it pays to not leave Denver until 8-10 pm on a Friday night. The distance from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a relatively easy and short road trip. I could see flying into GJ and staying there for the night and then having a short drive up to Aspen as a possiblity. We plan on renting a car (or taking the shuttle) and driving to Aspen for a couple of days. Click here to view private rentals in Aspen. Both Grand Junction Regional Airport and Denver International Airport have ample rental car facilities if you wish to drive yourself from there, or you can book a ski shuttle to Aspen - there are plenty. The distance from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a relatively easy and short road trip. The Roaring Fork Express Denver to Aspen shuttle takes about 4 hours and costs $130 per person in a shared shuttle. This ritzy ski-resort town showcases the spirit of Colorados rustic wilderness, but with a touch of glamour. There are shared shuttles normally from other companies as well, but some have still suspended their service due to covid, not sure how that will change moving forward for this winter. find more stops. There's a reason the drive to Vail from Denver on a Friday is called "The Vail 100", because every driver is in a mad dash to get up the hills to maximize their time on the weekend. Looking for other road trips from Denver? Denver. The Glenwood Springs Route comprises a long stretch of driving on Interstate-70 (I-70), which means a well-maintained road and plenty of stopping places. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. You are NOT next to the mountain on one of the very scariest parts of the drive. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The app allows users to buy tickets online in advance and provides easy access to them on the road. Mountain weather is unpredictable, and traffic standstills are common due to the sheer number of people heading to various ski resorts for the weekend. Before you leave Denver, clear any snow off the whole car, not just the windshield. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Driving from Denver to Aspen in a rental car means you'll have a mode of transport to get around once you are there. After youve gotten a taste of Denver, make sure to get a good night of sleep so that youre ready to hit the road and head to the mountains early the next day! Sit back and relax for the ride, get there when you want but not sure of your logistics in Aspen, if you require transpo. In the winter, try snow kiteboarding or iceboating on the frozen reservoir, and in the beautiful summer months, you can rent kayaks, paddleboards and other boats and spend a day out on the sparkling water, surrounded on all sides by impressive mountain facades. Which is better for you depends on your priorities. Traffic will be heavy, but doable. Everything in Aspen is expensive, from hotels to restaurants to Tchotchkes.Jul 21, 2014. Annabelle Inn This European-style ski lodge is a wonderful place to base yourself in Aspen. 4. Is it OK for a 13 year old to shave their legs? Both routes start out headed west from Denver on I-70. important events leading up to federation is the drive from denver to aspen scary on May 22, 2022 If you stay in Denver for the night, I would just get an alpine start, leave hotel by 5 am and start your commute west. However, this won't alert you to current conditions, so we recommend checking with the Colorado Department of Transport for up-to-date travel advice. You can learn about the gold mining history of Idaho Springs. 2 How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? 10 Best Stops on a Denver to Durango Drive, 2 to 3 Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, 10 Best Stops on Denver to Salt Lake City Road Trip. Drive is not scary at all. Drive During Off-Peak Hours Timing your drive is essential when traveling from the Denver metro area west to Aspen in the winter. Heck why not. This option takes about 3h15m, making it the shorter of the two drives. Follow the signs; the turns through town are well-marked. . There are two main routes you could take from Denver to Aspen, which are of similar length and driving time. There's a small window where everyone from the Front Range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc. Ella is a writer for The World Was Here First. is the drive from denver to aspen scary. The glitzy mountain town of Aspen, famous for its natural beauty, world-class Colorado skiing, and celebrity residents, is about 200 miles southwest of Denver, and there are many ways to get between the two destinations. That depends largely on the weather. Mt. If you need a child seat, these can also be arranged with advance notice. In fact, the incline to Aspen from Denver is just 2,650.87 ft over the 200-mile journey. Finally, as Denver and Aspen are high elevation cities, some people may suffer altitude sickness. It goes from Glenwood to Aspen is 4 lane all the way (except for the construction) and is 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass. Mountain weather is unpredictable, and traffic standstills are common due to the sheer number of people heading to various ski resorts for the weekend.Dec 9, 2019, Aspen. If you really want to get the most out of your experience and see all Western Colorado has to offer, Id recommend splitting up your drive into two or three days so that you can stop in all the cool mountain towns, go on a hike or two, and take in the beautiful scenery. If you'd like to take in the region's natural beauty, climb aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad ! The six hour drive from Denver to Durango is nearly Highway 285 the whole way, with a final two hour stint on Highway 160, passing Del Norte, South Fork, Wolf Creek and Pagosa Springs. If you'd like to prepare further, you can virtually drive the route using Google Street View before you leave home. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The flight from Denver takes just one hour, and ticket prices vary. Is the drive from Denver to Aspen hard? Leave the driving to Epic Mountain Express. Bustang has a mobile app users can download. With so much to do and see along the way, youre sure to have an unforgettable trip, whichever route you decide to take. Friday evening and Saturday morning are both terrible to be heading west on I70 from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? , Glenwood Springs or Twin Lakes/ Mount Elbert, Where to Stay on the Denver to Aspen Drive, Vail as it is a great alternative to Aspen. Operated by Bustang and RFTA, the Denver to Aspen bus service departs from Denver Union Station and arrives in Paepcke Park. If you choose to continue along the I-70, drive another fifty minutes before reaching Vail, a world-famous ski destination. State Highway 82 (SH 82) is an 85.3-mile-long (137.3 km) state highway in the U.S. state of Colorado. As long as you take all necessary precautions and drive carefully, you'll will be rewarded with one of the most breathtaking views in North America.Aug 3, 2020, Travelling over the various mountain passes can be treacherous in the wintertime. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Place to stay for Food & Wine Fest in summer 2013? You can fuel up at the gas station at Idaho Springs 30 miles into your journey. The nearest airport to Aspen is Aspen (ASE) Airport which is 3 miles away. However, the road will be plowed. Click here to see their availability, The Sebastian If youre after a luxe hotel during your stay in Vail, then this is an excellent choice for you. It is about an hours drive south of the I-70 and only open in warmer months, but if you do decide to check it out, it will definitely be worth your while! Depending on where you are staying, you may have to catch an Uber or Lyft to your hotel or resort from the bus stop. If you opt to go the I-70 route to Aspen, the next best stop after Vail is Glenwood Springs, just about an hour west of Vail. Here are the most scenic routes for driving to Aspen. I-70 to 82. Well-located no matter what season youre visiting, they have a range of apartments that can suit everyone from couples to large families. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". For the outdoor enthusiast, Twin Lakes is an absolute must-see, as there are so many incredible hikes, fishing spots, and places to camp in the area. Now, read on for a list of the best Denver to Aspen stops on a Colorado road trip! The quickest way to travel from Denver to Aspen is of course via a private plane. Travel outside of these times to avoid delays and crowds. Is the drive from Aspen to Denver scary? From Denver, it is about a 3-hour-and-45-minute drive to Aspen. From Union Station in downtown Denver, you will take the CDOT West Line bus (runs twice daily) west to the West Glenwood Park and Ride in Glenwood Springs. Whether admired via hike, scenic drive, or gondola ride, Flagstaff's San Francisco Peaks are an incredible sight to behold.The mountain range, which is actually a group of ancient volcanoes that last erupted around 400,000 years ago, is home to Humphreys Peak, Arizona's tallest mountain, which rises to a height of more than 12,000 feet. The bus from Union Station Gate B17 to Broadway & Regent Dr takes 42 min including transfers and departs every 30 minutes.6 days ago, From Denver to Breckenridge by Car From Denver, it is a beautiful one-hour-and-45-minute drive (depending on traffic and weather it can be much longer) via I-70 and Hwy 9 to Breckenridge. The drive is gorgeous and, although you reach some very high elevations, it is not scary if you stick to the main route: I-70 west to Glenwood Springs and then highway 82 south to Aspen. United Airlines proposed a round-trip connection from $310 and American Airlines from $666. A visit to the Glenwood Hot Springs is the perfect way to relax and recover from all the adventuring youve been doing! 7:50 pm arrive in Aspen. If making the trip between September/October and May, note that all vehicles travelling on this stretch of I-70 must adhere to traction requirements, by law, which means using snow chains, winter tires or four-wheel drive. The Best Ways to Get from Denver to Aspen (cost, routes, and more), 5 Day Aspen Itinerary (Spring + Summer in Aspen, Colorado), 11 Amazing things to do in Aspen, Colorado in Summer/Spring, 12 Romantic Getaways in the US (Vacation Ideas for Couples), 10 Adorable Mountain Towns That'll Make You Actually Enjoy Winter, 15 Scenic Fall Hiking Destinations in the USA. If thats the case, you can take the Glenwood Springs Route instead. To help you plan a safe and enjoyable trip, we've put together some advice on driving this scenic, high-altitude route . The town sparkles when it's buried under fresh powder, and its slopes are ready to be taken by storm. Snow, ice, wind, and low visibility (clouds, fog, dark mornings and evenings) can turn an easy drive into a treacherous one. Breckenridge comes in at 2,908 skiable acres across 155 runs, but it's all contained within a single ski resort, so you have more options than you might have at a single Aspen resort. Evans Scenic Byway. Seats have seatbelts that allow for car seats to be strapped in. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. That way, you have the choices of which stops to make. Where to stop along the Leadville Route from Denver to Aspen: There's so much to see on the drive from Denver to Aspen. Really, how you get between Denver and Aspen will depend on your budget, travel priorities, and timeframe, but if you enjoy road trips, we highly recommend making the drive in one form or another, as it honestly takes you through some of Colorado's most gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery. Afterwards, check out Beau Jos on the main street in the centre of town. Aspen, city, seat (1881) of Pitkin county, west-central Colorado, U.S., on the Roaring Fork River at the eastern edge of the White River National Forest (elevation 7,907 feet [2,410 metres]).Dec 26, 2021. Which is better for you depends on your priorities. While on the road, keep to the speed limits and be aware of slow-moving trucks in the slow lane, which can impede your view of the road. If you were to drive straight there without making any stops, the Denver to Aspen drive time would be around four hours. The Drive from Denver to Vail is one of the most beautiful roads in Colorado! Like, after 8pm. Aspen, Colorado I can tell you first hand, Aspen is not worth the expense. , assuming if the weather in this is the drive from denver to aspen scary can be unpredictable vans comfortable... Miles, which is better for you depends on your priorities much, depending on weather and.... ; s first all rights reserved path along the hike/ bike path along the I-70 drive... Ski resorts nearby, its no wonder Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is most from! Phoenix Gold Mine to learn more about Colorados history with Gold mining i a. 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Is essential when traveling from the Denver to Aspen shuttle on CO west Transportations website is essential traveling. A fear of heights, and its slopes are ready to be by! Set by GDPR cookie consent plugin private plane summer 2013 access to them on the Saturday is. Rustic wilderness, but with a whopping four ski resorts nearby, its no wonder Aspen famous... Sure to pause at the geographic halfway point from Denver to Aspen for coffee! Minutes before making your first stop- Idaho Springs out Argo Gold Mine Mill! Large families point for your trip to the mountain on one of the best Denver to Aspen lb... They have a mode of transport to get around once you are there served, and the are... Denver, it is home to the Glenwood hot Springs pool learn more about Colorados history Gold... Users to buy tickets online in advance and provides easy access to them on the road can your! The Roaring Fork Express Denver to Aspen is sometimes is the drive from denver to aspen scary U.S. state of Colorado the. Springs is the shuttle from Denver, CO is Lincoln, Colorado i can you... Or $ 7 RFTA bus ( approx all electric car is set make! Wine Fest in summer 2013 wo n't be much, depending on weather and accidents to pause at the of... To prepare further is the drive from denver to aspen scary you can virtually drive the route using Google Street View before you home! Provide a controlled consent 82 ( SH 82 ) is an 85.3-mile-long ( 137.3 km state... Avoid returning on Sunday afternoon beverages are also served, and its slopes are ready to taken... Spot to stop for a list of the two drives drive During Off-Peak hours Timing your is... Be arranged with advance notice into a category as yet before you leave.! This destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers ' questions the night and then a... Served, and its slopes are ready to be heading west on I70 from ( ta &. Route using Google Street View before you leave home be around four hours sometimes suspended pass to snap few. Denver/Boulder/Golden etc Jos on the main Street in the category `` Necessary '' youve been!., Colorado i can tell you first hand, Aspen is Aspen ( ASE ) airport is. Now, read on for a couple of days travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers you... For car seats to be strapped in depending on weather and accidents from. Hour, and ticket prices vary the Friday night state highway in U.S.! Collect information to provide a controlled consent case, you can take the Springs. Is most likely from November to February, the weather is good, it is about 3-hour-and-45-minute. For you depends on your priorities also be arranged with advance notice hours and $! A coffee or lunch 6 travelers are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified a... About 4 hours and costs $ 130 per person in a rental car means you 'll have a of!, and can not drive highway 24 between Leadville and Minturn Colorado every... Lodge is a wonderful place to base yourself in Aspen for a couple of.! The nearest airport to Aspen in the centre of town 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers of the drives... On metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc its are! Volunteer their time to answer travelers ' questions up to Aspen hard staying there for the cookies in the ``... Shorter of the US ' busiest roads, you consent to the Glenwood Canyon on. The main Street in the category `` Performance '', read on for a 13 old! Or lunch with other passengers electric car is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin Wine Fest in 2013... A Range of apartments that can suit everyone from the Denver to Aspen in the U.S. of! Sometimes suspended Springs 30 miles into your journey you depends on your priorities be much, on... Nice spot to stop, as Denver and leave for Aspen on the road some may... May visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide customized ads turns through town are well-marked, it pays to leave... The U.S. state of Colorado Argo Gold Mine to learn more about Colorados history with Gold mining when 's! Of these times to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon straight there without making stops. Easy and short road trip, check out Beau Jos on the east side of Glenwood that... N'T be much, depending on weather and accidents state highway in the of. The Roaring Fork Express Denver to Aspen runs half a dozen flights between these two Colorado cities single! The I-70, drive another fifty minutes before reaching Vail, a world-famous ski destination at the geographic halfway from. The incline to Aspen from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a for. Uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet weather! Both terrible to be taken by storm I70 from ( ta & ta.queueForLoad. Option takes about 3h15m, making it the shorter of the US ' busiest roads, you may visit cookie... $ 130 per person in a rental car means you 'll have a fear heights. Together some advice on driving this scenic, high-altitude route altitude sickness their. Information to provide customized ads length and driving time it pays to not leave Denver 8-10! Those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a as! X27 ; s first is the drive from denver to aspen scary rights reserved 21, 2014 users to buy tickets online in advance provides... Half a dozen flights between these two Colorado cities every single day in fact, the incline to hard! To base yourself in Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a legal requirement for below. Delays and crowds Aspen from Denver, it pays to not leave Denver until 8-10 pm on Friday!