Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Make sure to keep a safe following distance between your car and one in front of you. and Great Sand. Photo Credit: Jerilee Bennett. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. I drive the 285>160 route almost weekly for the last few months. The drive time from Ouray to Durango is approximately one hour and 45 minutes. The town of Salida is an excellent option, as it is a good halfway point between Denver and Durango and has lots of interesting things on offer. Click here to browse other private rentals. If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from Denver, CO to Durango, CO. You can also calculate the cost to drive from Denver, CO to Durango, CO based on current local gas prices . A third route (I-70 west, CO91 south, US24 south, US285 south, US160 west; this is through Leadville) is yet more scenic, partly because of its high mountain sections. If youre hiking with children or just dont enjoy exposure to steep drop-offs, then its recommended to do the out-at-back version. As with any hike or tour, just remember to bring plenty of water and some snacks along. We will stop there for a break and continue driving. Denver --> independence pass --> Aspen --> Ouray --> Red mountain pass --> Durango. Not much to recommend for food along the way. Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! 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 . The most straightforward choice for the least amount of time on the road is to simply take I-70 West out of Denver, which is the only main highway you need to follow on this drive until making an exit at Highway 9 just 10 to 15 minutes before you arrive at Breckenridge. 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. Truckers are required to have chains and passenger vehicles must have either snow tires, mud/snow tires, chains, or an alternative device like an autosock. With a route that passes south on US Highway 285 through Pike-San Isabel National Forest and continues down to the Great Sand Dunes and the Rio Grande headwaters, the Denver to Durango drive is one of southern Colorados most scenic. Problem is no-one knows what the weather will be then. The shorter one (US285 south and US160 west), more scenic, has more mountains. Travel along this high alpine road is strongly discouraged amid snow, freezing temperatures, and blowing snow. Some of the road trip highlights include stops in Frisco, Ouray, Buena Vista, or Pagosa Hot Springs, each of which offers plenty of outdoor adventure. Which route is the best? Start early in the day, bring plenty of water and snacks, and be sure to dress in layers. If you need to rent a car for this trip, you can check out Rentalcars.com which aggregates deals across suppliers. Theres also an observation site for the renowned Treasure Falls thats located just south of the pass. Its important to note that dates and closures vary, depending on the weather and road conditions. Not much to recommend for food along the way. At this park, you can either take an easy day to drive to the scenic lookouts, or you can book a permit to take the steep hike down to the canyon floor and Gunnison river. Instead of following US-50 W all the way to Montrose, take a right onto CO-92 W for approximately 70 miles until you reach Delta. It is a 7 hour plus drive, not counting any stops. When beginning your Denver to Durango road trip, you have two routes to choose from. In Del Norte, turn right onto US Hwy 160 W. Follow US Hwy 160 W for 118 miles. 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. It is impossible to get from Denver to Durango -- at least in any reasonable way -- without some mountain driving. Creedes title of The Last Boom Town comes from its legacy as a silver-mining town, which you can learn about in this PBS short documentary. 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. Mesa Verde is a world-class attraction that you really should see. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. We love Pikes Peak because theres just so much to explore, and because theres so many ways to actually ascend the peak! This loop of state-maintained highways through the San Juan Mountains can be done in your own car and at your own leisure, but be aware that various parts of this beautiful, scenic drive do feature steep drop-offs without guardrails. Which route is the best? For more information, see our privacy policy. Take a tour from Durango and let someone else drive! It is impossible to get from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Having a wonderful time here. The quickest flight from Denver Airport to Durango Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 19m. Greyhound is virtually the only bus company operating this route and ticket prices start at $63, although they can be as high as $140. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. You have permission to edit this article. Just a stones throw off 285 South before you reach the town of Del Norte on the Denver to Durango drive, Penitente Canyon offers scenic views and chances to hike, rock climb, and bike through the towering canyon walls. Which route is the best? Wolf Creek has gained a reputation all throughout Colorado as one of the best ski resorts to visit for anyone looking to escape crowds and long lift lines, and it also boasts some of the highest seasonal accumulations of snowpack out of any Colorado resorts, depending on the year. Durango is in southwest Colorado. Pass in SW CO? Yes, the driving distance between Denver to Durango is 538 km. From there you'll make a left onto CO 291 S which will take you into Salida after eight miles. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join our mailing list for discounts, special events, and more. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. I will be making this trip next week and look forward to seeing all this. I-70 has some gorgeous spots and does top out at about 11,000 ft when you pass through the tunnels near Loveland Pass. As you reach the classic mountain town of Salida and the nearby area, the Arkansas River is the main artery for a lot of watersports recreation, from fly fishing and whitewater rafting to kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Cheyenne . Answer (1 of 3): I agree with Alan about I-70 and I-80. The canyon walls are so steep that at least some of the canyon is always engulfed in shadow during the day, which is how the Black Canyon got its name. Among these are the collegiate peaks which are, unsurprisingly, named after some of the United States most famous colleges and Oxford randomly. As of July 23, Colorado has. This somewhat low-key park is simply jaw-dropping. But. Rome2rio makes travelling from Denver to Durango easy. 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. Adding to all the chaos, Colorado drivers arent exactly known for their set of skills out on the roads and youll find more of those drivers in the Denver metro area than anywhere else. Oh well. Domestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply. Well-located in central Durango, they have a range of rooms available to suit all kinds of visitors even allow pets if youre traveling with a four-legged friend! (easiest one, no scary mountain driving haha), and if you can suggest good places to stop and eat? This trail is close to town and extends to a decent length of 4.3 total miles long. 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. Durango to Denver drive driving / 2 days / no pets / no RV Durango to Denver road trip planner Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Durango to Denver. PUBLISHED: June 26, 2012 at 3:07 p.m. | UPDATED: June 9, 2016 at 11:15 a.m. A three-day-old wildfire erupted with catastrophic fury . If high-alpine hikes arent your jazz, another great place to explore near Salida is Great Sand Dunes National Park. In Winter do I need a 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle in Colorado? 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. Not much to recommend for food along the way. SIGN UP: Free daily newsletter + 20% off in the OTC gear shop, The 7 most dangerous winter roads in Colorado, 93 of those occurring within a 3-hour period, Denver commuter spends 83 hours per year stuck in traffic, Public access for two Colorado 14ers to close, after bill to protect landowners from liability dies, [VIDEO] Snowboarders spend over an hour in a tree to avoid angry moose in Colorado, $50,000 reward offered in search for suspect who robbed USPS letter carrier, Nathaniel Rateliff, Elle King among artists coming to Denver area in March, Skier Shiffrin locks up overall title, still chases win 86, US to focus bison restoration on expanding tribal herds. Lots of good food in Durango. Both Aspen Peak and Mad Jacks also offer delicious food options and events featuring live music acts, with Aspen Peaks Bluegrass and BBQ Night serving as a good example of a local favorite where guests are served food options like southern shrimp and grits and St. Louis-style ribs with mashed potatoes and sauted kale. Where is Durango? Good coffee is also scarce along that route until you get to Durango. Driving Distance: 941 miles. This is the route Google Maps will give you. Apart from being the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte is where mountain biking got its start in Colorado. If you're looking to just get there as quickly as possible, it's much better to fly. 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. You probably want to avoid going to Durango via 550 through Ouray and Silverton (Million Dollar Highway) which is an incredibly scenic, paved, state highway but also has extreme dropoffs without guardrails in places, and little to no shoulder in placesnot the best road for you.

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