Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. Snowcaped mountains in Berthoud Pass, Colorado. Just be sure to downshift on the downhill side. So yeah, have your camera charged and ready for this spot too. A direct flight will only take about an hour in the air, which will save you a lot of time. 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. Architectural structures left behind by the ancestral Puebloans include pit houses, great kivas, and great houses, according to the U.S. Forest Services website. Thank you :) So, pack your bags, fasten your seatbelts, and get ready to hit the road on this Denver to Durango loop road trip! That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is the route Google Maps will give you. Book at least 2 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. It is the route CasaAzul mentioned. Now I am thinking of taking another route. Alternatively, you may use. One of the defining features of the Penitente Canyon area is a natural arch, sometimes called La Ventana (the window in Spanish), which anyone seeking to venture further into this area should prioritize. Jan 31, 2006. But I need to leave here at midnight. Talk about a flexible experience! Prices start at 117,500 per night. Can you please describe the San Juan Skyway/Million $ Hwy/Red Mtn. It's said to be one of the most dangerous roads in Colorado. Stroll the shops, restaurants and hotels housed in Durango's preserved late-19th-century buildings and board the railroad for a super-scenic, 45-mile detour to Silverton. Thank you :) 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. Watch carefully for deer early mornings and twilight! Check out our Durango Activities and Things to Do page for more information. 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. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6e6fde05a476155cc84d0616c8a9c0f" );document.getElementById("b934630cd5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi! The winter-weary Northeast and upper Midwest were digging out Saturday from heavy snowfall while cleanup began in battered parts of the South and Midwest after a sprawling storm system produced . If youve never gone mountain biking before, then this is a perfect place to try it out. 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. You have two route options, both of which take you through amazing scenery and worthwhile stops. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. ', 'How much should I expect to pay? Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. 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. Be sure to enjoy the small towns along the way and explore the rural side of Colorado too! Browse Dodge vehicles in Berthoud, CO for sale on Cars.com, with prices under $799,952. He lives in Colorado and also works as a fly fishing guide and instructor when not editing or writing. (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? Photo Credit: milehightraveler (iStock). Durango is in southwest Colorado. I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. We know what youre thinking: sand dunes in Colorado? However, you can also drive up the scenic road yourself, join a guided bus tour, or even take a train to the top! The longer one (I-25 south, US160 west) involves faster driving and more traffic. The Perfect 1, 2 or 3 Days in Montpellier Itinerary, The Perfect 1, 2 to 3 Days in Toulouse Itinerary, The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Nice Itinerary, The Perfect 5 to 7 Days in Finland Itinerary (Winter or Summer). My friends and I are coming from Europe to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Head west on US-50 W for 60 miles, and then turn right onto CO-135 N which will take you to Crested Butte after 27 miles. Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Durango, Holiday Inn & Suites Durango Downtown, an IHG Hotel, Denver to Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, Glendale Los Angeles County CA USA to Durango CO USA, Petrified Forest National Park to Durango CO USA, There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres. Not quite what youre looking for? Youll have views for miles around and Aspen Sunflowers covering entire hillsides, making for PERFECT photo ops. It is well located, there are a number of plush rooms available, and the breakfast included uses dairy products sourced from the propertys own goats! High season is considered to be October, November and December. Editors Note: Never speed. I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. The longer one (I-25 south, US160 west) involves faster driving and more traffic. 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. I-25 is a major interstate highway that travels north and south, serving as the main connection from Denver to Colorado Springs. Answer 1 of 6: My friends and I are coming from Europe to Denver Airport and we are supposed to go to Durango by car. Monument to fallen snowplow drivers. These are both safe routes. 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. A Google mapping exercise will offer you two routes, one about a half-hour longer than the other. The drive from Salida to Crested Butte takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Semi trucks stuck on I-25. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75890236', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pagosa Springs are the only 2 I hit along the route. Have any questions about any of these stops? Driving from Denver to Durango takes about six and a half hours. more. Denver airport - 407 miles - about 7 hours drive depending on weather conditions Albuquerque airport - 244 miles - about 4:10 hours depending on weather conditions There are Greyhound buses that travel between the city of Albuquerque and Durango, but once again self-drive will be the easiest way to get there. Another route, is to take US285 sw from Denver toward Buena Vista and then south to Great Sand Dunes. It's a fairly long drive from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. The drive time from Ouray to Durango is approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Plus, your guide will provide insightful interpretations on each of the archaeological sites as well as the history of the Ancestral Pueblo people. 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. 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. The United States Census Bureau reported a population of 16,887 in the 2010 census. 5.5 hours of driving without stops. Drive from Denver to Durango 336.1 miles $60 - $90 Fly to Durango, shuttle 5h 22m Fly from Denver (DEN) to Durango (DRO) DEN - DRO Take a shuttle bus from Purgatory Plaza to Durango Transit Center $233 - $570 Fly to Telluride Regional, shuttle 6h 32m Fly from Denver (DEN) to Telluride Regional (TEX) DEN - TEX I assume you understand that any route you take will be. The river flows right through town and features fun, refreshing splashes from class I and II rapids. As always, travel safe and enjoy the views! Mountain Goat Lodge This boutique bed and breakfast is an excellent option if youre after a bit of luxury while driving to Durango. Maybe there's a faster drive but we have not done that. Takes 6hrs plus stops and is both easy and scenic. Alternatively, Outdoorsy is an option if you prefer to rent an RV or campervan. If you need to rent a car for this trip, you can check out Rentalcars.com which aggregates deals across suppliers. 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. *Note: At time of writing (May 17th, 2021) there is a road closure along US-50 W between Sapinero and Montrose that is expected to last until Spring of 2022. Head out of Creede the way you came in along CO-149 S for 22 miles and then make a left onto US-160 E for 17 miles. Each flight takes about an hour, so this is definitely the fastest way to get from Denver to Durango. The 160 to 285 would be the fastest. United Airlines offers flights from Denver Airport to Durango Airport. Hikers and skiers often use the route for accessing backcountry terrain, as well as Arapahoe Basin Resort. Although its a small mountain town, its bursting at the seams with history, scenery, and adventure opportunities. Designated drivers beware and drink responsibly, as youve still got a lot of highway to go on this Denver to Durango road trip. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. We are travelling with 3 children from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. For more information, see our privacy policy. There is also breakfast included each morning. All three cross Wolf Creek Pass on US160, which is truly scary only if your brakes fail on the way down. 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. It serves as one of the main routes to Colorados ski country including Vail, Aspen, Winter Park, Keystone, and Breckenridge. Roadtrip from SoCal to Mt Rushmore thru Colorado, Best Western Plus Deer Park Hotel And Suites. . Long, steep ascents and descents, particularly around the San Juans. Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! If you hit the turn too fast you will go right off the edge. Along the National Parks Loop, you'll also go through some other small towns worth exploring like Telluride, Durango, and Buena Vista. If youve never gone mountain biking before, then this is a perfect place to try it out. 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. Most crashes on the pass occur at the switchback curve near the Wolf Creek scenic outlook area. A great trail option for beginners, especially if youre around during wildflower season, is. Colorados capital city has something for everyone: great food, impressive history, beautiful views, and plenty of adventure opportunities close by! So, stop by if you can. Lots of good food in Durango. After hiking the perimeter trail, take a load off and relax in Ourays Hot Springs. 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. Where to go at the end of November, Early December?!?! 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. 2:05 pm Pagosa Springs (Colorado) stay for about 1 hour. Click here to browse other private rentals. Is this a summer trip or a winter trip? Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636. You know what? Only 33 mushers will participate in the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Saturday, the smallest field ever to take their dog teams nearly 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) over . I took a GPS with me to attach in the rental car. The best way to get from Denver to Denver Airport is to train which takes 37 min and costs 4,100-14,000. The railway is a federally designated National Historic Landmark and is also designated by the American Society of Civil Engineers as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. 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. 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 . From Tiny Town, the next few stops between Conifer and Buena Vista also tend to be good ones for travelers and looking to take their time, relax, and settle into vacation mode while on the way out of the Denver bubble. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) is a narrow-gauge heritage railroad that operates 45.2mi of track between Durango and Silverton, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The direct drive from Denver to Durango is 382 mi (614 km), and should have a drive time of 7 hrs 21 mins in normal traffic. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Durango is recommended. The direct drive from Colorado Springs to Durango is 313 mi (503 km), and should have a drive time of 6 hrs 20 mins in normal traffic.. Although its a small mountain town, its bursting at the seams with history, scenery, and adventure opportunities. Airfares from $109 One Way, $219 Round Trip from Denver to Durango. North Americas largest sandbox contains some 5 billion cubic meters of sand and stands out against the striking backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. This incredible amphitheatre is built right into the front range mountains, making for one of the most beautiful venues in the country. 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. 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. The reason why it's so long is because there is no direct bus service between the two cities. These springs are perfect for an evening soak when the day starts to cool and you want to settle down to reflect on the days adventure accomplishments. The steep, winding switchbacks can make your stomach turn on this high mountain pass, reaching an elevation of 11,307 feet. Still, the bus is significantly cheaper than flying and depending on gas prices and whether or not you need to rent a car or book a hotel overnight, it's probably cheaper than driving too.
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