The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is one of the most beautiful drives through Colorado, a must-do if you're visiting Rocky Mountain National Park and the Front Range. However, in this case, the route between Denver and Aspen features plenty of stunning natural beauty, including the Rocky Mountains and the White River National Forest. There is also a lesser risk of rocks falling from the mountains and of mudslides in the Glenwood Canyon area. 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! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Fitted your vehicle with tire chains or alternate traction devices in snow is a legal requirement for vehicles below 16,001 lb. We also have Grand Junction airport about a 2 hour drive away.Nov 11, 2011. Follow County Roads 106 and 108 to Dry Park Road (County Road 125) to Glenwood Springs for a quiet countryside drive. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If you are not interested in driving yourself between Denver and Aspen, you can still get there via a few other transport options, including taking a private luxury SUV transfer with a driver or taking a more affordable shuttle service. 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. If my choices were fly to Aspen, drive DIA to Aspen, fly to GJ and drive to Aspen, that would be the order of my preference. Every month, almost a million vehicles travel the 100 miles on Interstate 70 between Denver and Vail, Colorado. Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula: Which Irish Drive is for You? This portion of the trip takes just under four hours. 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. Some restaurants may be closed but Aspen will still provide great dining options. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. Evans Scenic Byway, but there are many new ones you can add as well. 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. Denver doesnt have a direct train route to Aspen, but you can combine rail transportation with the aforementioned options to incorporate a train ride for the journey to Aspen. In fact, the incline to Aspen from Denver is just 2,650.87 ft over the 200-mile journey. The Yampah Spa is next to the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort and offers the opportunity to take a steam bath in a natural vapor cave. While trying to digest all the advice and come up with the best plan to get to Aspen our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The fastest bus normally takes 5h 45m. There is also a new, free app "Cotrip planner". The safest option is The Glenwood Springs Route, while the alternative Independence Pass Route closes in October or early November and doesn't reopen until the Thursday before Memorial Day each May. Fortunately, Denver is home to numerous bistros, restaurants, and brewpubs to satisfy any appetite or dining budget. 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. Click here to view private rentals in Aspen. The city at the geographic halfway point from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO is Lincoln, Colorado. SusieLou and I are of like mind on this. As we've described, snow can lead to travel disruptions and unsafe driving conditions. Humans first settled in the area as early as 1880. If you decide to go the Independence Pass route, get ready to embark on the most spectacular part of your Denver to Aspen drive! 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. bus or shuttle to Denver Airport from Aspen/Snowmass? CO-82 is also a well-maintained four-lane road, with additional gas stations and a 55 mph speed limit. It takes just 45 minutes to get from Denver International Airport (DEN)to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE). Any recommendations for stops along the way. This scenic byway is all about the drive and less about the detours. Despite finding your ideal accommodation in Denver and Aspen, its likely that youre going to want to find the perfect place to rest your head while on the road trip. While the drive is at high altitude, rest assured that you won't get too close to steep cliff edges. Independence Pass is usually open between Memorial Day and Labor Day depending on snowfall. Colorado Travel Guide: Plan Your Perfect Trip, 17 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Colorado, USA, 16 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Denver, CO, 16 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Colorado Springs, CO, A Visitor's Guide to Exploring Downtown Denver, CO, From Denver to Boulder: 4 Best Ways to Get There, Where to Stay in Denver: Best Areas & Hotels, From Denver to Colorado Springs: 5 Best Ways to Get There, Denver with Kids: 12 Top-Rated Things to Do, From Denver to Vail: 5 Best Ways to Get There, From Denver to Breckenridge: 5 Best Ways to Get There, Where to Stay in Boulder: Best Areas & Hotels, 14 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Boulder, CO, 22 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 21 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World, From Denver to Aspen by Private Luxury SUV Transfer, Colorado Department of Transportation's Bustang. Are you planning a Denver to Aspen drive or a Denver to Vail drive? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! 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. My problem is that I get really bad anxiety when driving. Since you have a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This area, called the Roaring Fork Valley, is home to a number of beautiful mountain towns located right along this highway. Our flight gets in at 7:00 AM. From there, you can hop aboard the CDOT Westline bus to Glenwood Springs and stay aboard for four hours until you reach Westwood Park and Ride. There is an overlook en route, where you can safely park and admire the views. 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. They have countless chic rooms available, endless amenities including a pool and great restaurant/bar, and it is well located to enjoy all Aspen has to offer. Your email will not be provided to third parties. 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. If youre planning on visiting Colorado in winter and you want to experience a Denver to Vail drive along the way, or if you simply dont feel comfortable driving on Independence Pass, the I-70 route is the best option. There is also the Epic Mountain Express/Colorado Airport Express shuttle available. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Red Rocks. What is halfway between Denver and Aspen? Epic Mountain Express used to provide daily rides between Denver and Aspen for $92 per person. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The Denver to Aspen Drive is eventful in the sense that there are lots of possible stops to make along the way. Press ESC to cancel. As well as weekends, school vacations and the 4th of July weekend can see especially heavy traffic en route. Center Fly from Gunnison (GUC) to Denver (DEN) GUC - DEN Independence Pass closed for the season yesterday. There are a few spots where there is a drop off on one side of the road, but even then you're still on a four lane, divided interstate. is the drive from denver to aspen scary. These depart frequently from DEN, and will drop you at most hotels and resorts around Aspen. Don't forget to carry out the usual vehicle inspections before setting off, such as checking the wiper blades and fluid. The Canadian Rockies have trails suitable for all levels, ranging from easy strolls through meadows and forests to more challenging summits that will take all day. The buses are also family friendly. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". We stayed at a very reasonable hotel, the Mountain Chalet, which was in a great location, good price and nice facilities. Who controlled the House of Representatives in 1982? Aspen is truly a one-of-a-kind town where youll definitely want to spend a few days. Shortly after Frisco, you arrive at Copper Mountain and the junction with Highway 91. Aspen is a mountain town in Colorado, and it is known for its beautiful scenery and the fact that it has a population of only a few hundred people. Answer 1 of 6: Hello All, My wife and I booked some last minute travel to Denver for the middle of November. United Airlines proposed a round-trip connection from $310 and American Airlines from $666. driving 6 hours. Traffic will be heavy, but doable. The heavy traffic is between Golden and Eisenhower tunnel. Drive is not scary at all. The Glenwood Springs route is also more straightforward than the Leadville route. Roaring Fork Express is a shared shuttle transport between Aspen and the Denver International Airport. I wouldn't want to drive very far in the dark if it is snowing in the foothills or beyond. 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. find more stops. The distance from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a relatively easy and short road trip. Aspen, Colorado is nestled high in the Rocky Mountains at around 8,000 feet, so youll find snow in Aspen nearly half the year. Steamboat is a real joy in the summer. Before you head to the mountains, make sure you experience all Denver has to offer. It does not store any personal data. Follow the signs; the turns through town are well-marked. How do you read a John Deere baler serial number? Is South Korea safe for female Travellers? However, it can . Like, after 8pm. Stroll through downtown Leadville and take in the beautiful old Victorian homes and buildings, local shops and quaint cafes and imagine what life must have been like here back in the late 1800s before getting back on the road. It goes from Glenwood to Aspen is 4 lane all the way (except for the construction) and is 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass. The subject road is Colorado State Hwy 82. 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. Frontier also connects to take your right into Aspen Snowmass airport. The Rav 4 handled it like a champ, though I did miss the 6 cylinder power of the Rav 4 of past. You could face a fine of between $132 and $656 if law enforcement officers find your vehicle in breach of this requirement. Wait until noon and there likely won't be much, depending on weather and accidents. The distance on the drive from Denver to Aspen is, How long is the drive from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO? For a first-time visit to Colorado, I would recommend embarking on the drive from Denver to Aspen. !0% DISCOUNT FOR Colorado Mountain Express (www.cmex.com). The Glenwood Canyon is on the east side of Glenwood so that is not a consideration either. Consequently we are going to either fly or drive to Aspen early on the Friday morning; or alternatively fly to Grand Junction on Friday morning, as car rental is so much cheaper there. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The nearest airport to Aspen is Aspen (ASE) Airport which is 3 miles away. Alternatively we could stay the Friday night in Denver and leave for Aspen on the Saturday. Because there's limited housing, limited rentals, and limited hotels and resort space, visitors have to pay expensive prices. The quickest way to travel from Denver to Aspen is of course via a private plane. Its western half provides the principal transportation . To get to Independence pass, you'll take I-70 from Denver to Highway 91 south to Leadville and then follow signs to Highway 82 and the pass. As the Independence Pass Route is only open from late May to September/October, it really just offers an alternative option for summer visits to Colorado. A trip for two weeks for two people costs $6,571 in Aspen.Sep 21, 2020. While the trip is relatively short, it offers the chance to enjoy plenty of stunning Colorado scenery, from national forests to the beautiful Rockies. Then either catch a shuttle service or $7 RFTA bus (approx. In fact, it's fair to say it is one of the most overrated places I have ever visited. Visiting Colorado and planning a Denver to Aspen drive? But once you reach the end of the byway at La Veta, which should take an hour or two depending on your speed, head west. 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. You can call 877 315-7623 or go to cotrip.org for road conditions and construction. I would gather your things and head to a hotel close to the airport and crash. Is the drive from Denver to Aspen scary? You can even drive up to Golden and Boulder and not encounter anything. Typically 10 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. The road features some bends, so also watch out for signs that forewarn of sharp curves. Get behind the biggest part of the Vail 100 and I have found it's pretty smooth sailing, albeit dark, to get up and over all of the passes. Georgetown . **If you dont have it bookmarked already use my Aspen top activities guide and pre-made Aspen itinerary to help you plan your trip. Travelling over the various mountain passes can be treacherous in the wintertime. 4. As such, you will need to make sure you rent a vehicle that is equipped with winter driving tires to avoid getting fined. Glenwood Springs is a great place to stop, as it is home to the worlds largest mineral hot springs pool. Aspen is one of the most renowned skiing destinations in the world and an epic summer getaway for outdoor adventure, so its no surprise that it draws in thousands of visitors every single year. This resort can be seen from the highway, and it has a million-plus-gallon swimming pool fed by the Yampah spring, which is said to be the world's largest. Have you been on a Colorado road trip? Youre not alone. How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Holiday Inn Express Downtown Denver A great hotel if youre on the hunt for something consistent and reliable in Downtown Denver. 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