This guide includes transportation options, routes, costs, and even a few cool suggested stops! Breckenridge also has five peaks, while Aspen has four. If Aspen ever stops trending, then the prices might go down a little.Oct 28, 2021. Drive During Off-Peak Hours Timing your drive is essential when traveling from the Denver metro area west to Aspen in the winter. Is the drive from Denver to Aspen hard? Between these two very different cities there are a plethora of great stops to check out, and youll be able to experience all the best of what this beautiful state has to offer. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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 The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. Is it OK for a 13 year old to shave their legs? A direct drive from Denver to Moab will take right around 5.5 hours to cover the 355 miles. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. There is also a new, free app "Cotrip planner". Another option is to fly into Grand Junction and then the drive is very easy. We check in to our hotel in Aspen the next day, so I am looking for advice on the best way to get from Denver to Aspen on a Friday / Saturday. Denver is the capital city of Colorado, and the perfect starting point for this trip, not only because it is likely where youll be flying into and renting a car, but also because it is an extremely vibrant, beautiful, and interesting city. If youre one of those people and wondering, But how do I get from Denver to Aspen? youre in luckthis guide maps out all of your options! Where to stop along the Leadville Route from Denver to Aspen: There's so much to see on the drive from Denver to Aspen. 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. 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. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is just 3 miles from the town of Aspen and 6 miles from Snowmass Village. There are quite a few ways to get from Denver to Aspen, and each has its perks. If you find yourself in Vail outside the ski season, theres still plenty to do in the area, including beautiful hikes, miles of mountain biking trails, and great fly fishing. The reservoir is also home to a world-class amphitheatre that hosts shows from a wide variety of bands and theatre companies. Operated by Bustang and RFTA, the Denver to Aspen bus service departs from Denver Union Station and arrives in Paepcke Park. It is not a "scary" road with drop offs but it may be intimidating for someone not used to mountain driving. You want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon. Not only is it the highest paved lane in Colorado12,100 feet above sea level at Independence Pass in the Rocky Mountainsits also full of steep drop-offs, tight curves, and narrow stretches that can fit only one car at a time. 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. Driving from Denver to Vail is not just one of the most exhilarating and spectacular roads you can take in the state of Colorado it's also one of the most dangerous! 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. drive for about 24 minutes. Leaving after 10:00 AM or so will put you after a lot of the traffic. !0% DISCOUNT FOR Colorado Mountain Express (www.cmex.com). It is important to note that if you are renting a car in winter, Colorado has strict winter driving traction laws that go into effect when it snows on the highway between Denver and Aspen.Feb 18, 2020. Independence Pass is usually open between Memorial Day and Labor Day depending on snowfall. So, a trip to Aspen for two people costs around $3,285 for one week. Seats have seatbelts that allow for car seats to be strapped in. Humans first settled in the area as early as 1880. And will be for several months. Another option, if you don't want to drive yourself but don't want to pay for a private transfer service, is to use the shuttle service offered by Epic Mountain Express. 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? A visit to the Glenwood Hot Springs is the perfect way to relax and recover from all the adventuring youve been doing! **If you dont have it bookmarked already use my Aspen top activities guide and pre-made Aspen itinerary to help you plan your trip. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "adceefa99eccc6be0831dad7584bac56" );document.getElementById("b934630cd5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi! drive for about 49 minutes. The Stairway to Heaven From the East: Hwy 285 west from Denver, Hwy 24 north, Hwy 82 west (open in nonwinter months) Each section gets better on this ascent of awesomeness. 10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111851609', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');airline cancelled our return flight from Denver to London. The distance on the drive from Denver to Aspen is 198 miles (319 kilometres) and takes approximately 4 hours by car if you stick to the relatively easy route that is a straight shot along the I-70 West for the majority of the journey. As always when driving long distances and in inclement weather, make sure you have adequate fuel for your journey. 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. Unfortunately, when traveling to Denver International Airport the largest and closest nearby travel hub there's still the matter of commuting to said mountain scapes via the Front Range. Roaring Fork Express is a shared shuttle transport between Aspen and the Denver International Airport. The Grand Junction thing, does have its merits, but still coming in from London and jumping back on a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Here, you are presented with two routes to get to Aspen: via I-70 to Glenwood Springs then Highway 82 to Aspen; or south to Leadville, Twin Lakes and Highway 82 . The first must-see stop on the Denver to Telluride drive is Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, a world-famous open-air concert venue and surrounding park. next stops will vary based on which route you decide to take. The drive from Glenwood Springs to Denver is a little over two and a half hours on Interstate 70, so you should arrive back in the Mile High City just as you're starting to feel hungry again. The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. Shortly after Frisco, you arrive at Copper Mountain and the junction with Highway 91. The best way to get from Denver to Boulder without a car is to bus which takes 42 min and costs $1 - $6. How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? How long is the car ride from Denver to Aspen? Above all, if you love to fly over clouds from . However, they only lead to road closures when smoke affects visibility. 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. 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! Thank you! Press ESC to cancel. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111852146', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver for many years and it is very convenient most of the time :-). Both routes start out headed west from Denver on I-70. While it is possible to fly directly to Aspen from your destination of origin, most travelers chose to fly into Denver, which offers many more flight options at more affordable prices, and then either drive or take a bus or shuttle service. Don't miss the carne asada tacos, pozole, and pupusas. Click here to browse more Denver hotels. Because there's limited housing, limited rentals, and limited hotels and resort space, visitors have to pay expensive prices. Either way we should no longer have to deal with "the Vail 100"! and that typically means less cars on I-70, less hassle. I could see flying into GJ and staying there for the night and then having a short drive up to Aspen as a possiblity. P.S. Explore the bustling downtown area, including Larimer Square (Denvers oldest city block), 16th Street Mall, and the newly renovated, beautiful Union Station. Most people prefer Aspen for its Maroon Bells and skiing trails, while Denver has a better variety of recreational spots. 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. While perhaps a bit kitschy, the railroad loop is well-loved by Colorado locals and people of all ages. Since you have a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It takes just under two hours to reach Leadville, which is a nice spot to stop for a coffee or lunch. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. However, before embarking youll need to decide whether youll cut down to Independence Pass after stopping in Dillon, or if youll continue along the I-70 West to Glenwood Springs before cutting down on the CO-82 before finally reaching Aspen. What are the three main reasons that marine ecosystems so important? The distance on the drive from Denver to Aspen is 198 miles (319 kilometres) and takes approximately 4 hours by car if you stick to the relatively easy route that is a straight shot along the I-70 West for the majority of the journey. Private Vacation Rental Apart from this amazing mountain hideaway with incredible views, you can find a range of options including studios, private rooms and condominiums. There is so much to do so I would allow, The total driving distance from Vail, CO to Aspen, CO is, A vacation to Aspen for one week usually costs around, Leadville to Aspen via Independence Pass , The city at the geographic halfway point from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO is. Barring bad weather it gets easier after silverthorne. The journey from the Mile-High City of Denver to the upscale resort of Aspen is popular year-round, with great hiking and skiing. If you choose to continue along the I-70, drive another fifty minutes before reaching Vail, a world-famous ski destination. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. There's a small window where everyone from the Front Range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc. To help you plan a safe and enjoyable trip, we've put together some advice on driving this scenic, high-altitude route . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Before you head to the mountains, make sure you experience all Denver has to offer. You can also check out the Iron Mountain Hot Springs Resort, which opened in the last few years and has 17 pools set along the Colorado River. If thats the case, you can take the Glenwood Springs Route instead. Copyrights 2023 All Rights Reserved by Free world travel Inc. There is so much to do so I would allow at least 3 days for your visit. The city at the geographic halfway point from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO is Lincoln, Colorado. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. You are NOT next to the mountain on one of the very scariest parts of the drive. 1 Is the drive from Denver to Aspen hard? Exit off the I-70 West onto CO-91 South for about fifty minutes before reaching Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the United States at 10,430 feet elevation. 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. Which is better for you depends on your priorities. I would gather your things and head to a hotel close to the airport and crash. along the I-70 West, the longer route thats open all year, or head south to Stop for a bite to eat or a leisurely walk in Carbondale or Basalt before arriving in Aspen. The These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Before reaching Vail, a world-famous ski destination travelers 6 travelers that for. The prices might go down a little.Oct 28, 2021 are not to! Remembering your preferences and repeat visits Aspen for two people costs around $ 3,285 for week... 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