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. If you're hiring a car, make sure you request a vehicle with tire chains. I really enjoyed reading your article! In order to make your way from Denver to Aspen by bus, start at Denvers Union Station. Undoubtedly you heard about hwy 82 over Independence Pass. When you reach the town of Glenwood Springs, you leave the interstate and pick up CO-82 for the final stretch of the trip to Aspen. If you want to take the more scenic route to Moab, take Route 128 from i70. Check cotrip.org for status. The drive is hilly, but in no way scary. Thank you very much to all who gave their time and advice, and apologies for the slow response. There is also the Epic Mountain Express/Colorado Airport Express shuttle available. Depending on the season, there are two different routes you can take. 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. Cost: Tickets start at $59 for adults and $54 for children. Lookout Mountain of Colorado is situated along the famous drive from Denver to Aspen. . In Conclusion. The If you were to drive straight there without making any stops, the Denver to Aspen drive time would be around four hours. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. and leave at 3:20 pm. There's a small window where everyone from the Front Range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc. 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. Click here to view private rentals in Aspen. This scenic highway is the highest paved auto-road in North America, at 14,260 feet above sea level and provides absolutely stunning views of the Colorado landscape. The drive is around 200 miles and takes about four hours on the faster route. However, some drivers might find this route scary even in good weather, due to the high elevation, winding road, and the fact that portions of CO-82 run close to the steep cliff edge. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you have extra time to spare in Denver before heading onward to Aspen, be sure to check out the plethora of fun Denver tours and activities too, and make your trip twice as fun. I wouldnt recommend trying to get to Silverthorne to avoid traffic. Click here to browse private rentals in Vail. and leave at 6:54 pm. I used o live at I70 and Wadsworth on the west side of Denver and if I was heading up skiing on Saturday or Sunday I wanted to be on the road by 6:00 AM. 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. Glenwood Springs is a great place to stop, as it is home to the worlds largest mineral hot springs pool. Frontier also connects to take your right into Aspen Snowmass airport. If the weather is snowy, then that completely changes the ballgame. Depending on where you are staying, you may have to catch an Uber or Lyft to your hotel or resort from the bus stop. These depart frequently from DEN, and will drop you at most hotels and resorts around Aspen. This is the highway youll stay on for a majority of the trip, and one that will take you by many iconic Colorado towns and sights. However, it has many amazing stops, and its open all year round. It does not store any personal data. The reservoir is also home to a world-class amphitheatre that hosts shows from a wide variety of bands and theatre companies. The city at the geographic halfway point from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO is Lincoln, Colorado. If youre travelling with children, be sure to check out the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Answer 1 of 3: My sister and I will be driving from Denver International Airport on September 18th to Aspen. 95% of the highway is not the least bit scary and one of the most scenic you could ever drive. 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. . 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. Keep in mind that this is the most popular time to visit, so prices will likely be elevated, but you can find some deals if you plan a few months in advance. Idaho Springs. And luckily, United Airlines runs half a dozen flights between these two Colorado cities every single day! Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is just 3 miles from the town of Aspen and 6 miles from Snowmass Village. This scenic drive is beautiful year-round, but it's especially popular in the fall, when the mountains burst into life with the shimmering golden leaves of the changing aspen trees. This area, called the Roaring Fork Valley, is home to a number of beautiful mountain towns located right along this highway. This ritzy ski-resort town showcases the spirit of Colorados rustic wilderness, but with a touch of glamour. Let us know in the comments! 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. Like, after 8pm. 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 . As a matter of fact, you could easily turn this experience into a weekend long road trip, if you make enough stops. I could see flying into GJ and staying there for the night and then having a short drive up to Aspen as a possiblity. 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. For about $40, you can travel all 159 miles between these two cities within 6+ hours. You will spend most of your drive on i70. From here, it is at least another hour over Independence Pass down into Aspen.Feb 18, 2020. the drive, youll have to make the decision whether or not youll continue Click here to see their availability, Westin Denver Downton A great luxury option in the centre of Denver this hotel is perfectly located to explore the best of Colorados capital. Theres nothing quite like an outdoor summer concert in the mountains! Roadtime to Aspen from Denver Airport (DIA) about 3 hours to each side, it depends on the season and weather conditions Denver to Aspen Distance: 240 miles Costs start from $ 619 for First-class SUV up to 3 passenger Free car seats for children less than 12 old Extra discount for groups of 8 or more persons in case of advance reservation online. There's a small window where everyone from the Front Range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc. For me, I would just do the drive. For lunch or dinner, diners heading toward Aspen should stop in this relaxed Glenwood Springs restaurant that serves some of the very best Mexican food in Colorado. Aspen, Colorado is nestled high in the Rocky Mountains at around 8,000 feet, so youll find snow in Aspen nearly half the year. 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. Shortly after Frisco, you arrive at Copper Mountain and the junction with Highway 91. Well-located to explore the city, there are a number of rooms available and breakfast included in the room rate. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Interstate driving isn't always the most scenic option. There are quite a few ways to get from Denver to Aspen, and each has its perks. 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. The next stop on your way to Aspen is Georgetown, CO, situated up high in the Rocky Mountains. Click here to browse private rentals in Vail. Our next stop is about 40 minutes further down the I-70. stay at The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa in Denver. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. My wife and I are planning on arriving in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Accidents are common. 1 hour duration; you can catch the bus on 8th street). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. 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. If youre a skier or snowboarder, definitely stop in Vail as it is a great alternative to Aspen to hit the slopes, and if you arent a fan of winter sports, stroll around Vail Village and explore the shops, restaurants, and breweries to get a taste of an authentic Colorado ski town. You can fuel up at the gas station at Idaho Springs 30 miles into your journey. Fly in to Grand Junction if at all possible. Denver to Aspen drive is a perfect starting point for your trip to the state of Colorado. Driving on Independence Pass may be scary for some inexperienced and timid drivers. Then either catch a shuttle service or $7 RFTA bus (approx. 10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It is of my opinion that leaving Denver by 7am on a Saturday is much, much too late for a smooth drive up the hill. Elevation: 9,426 feet Location: Connects Kremmling and Steamboat Springs, CO via US Highway 40 Why it's dangerous: If you want to make the trip from Denver to Steamboat Springs for some sweet. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Aspen is a very accessible resort, thanks to its close proximity to four airportsAspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), Eagle County Airport (EGE), Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) and Denver International Airport (DIA)that offer numerous nonstop and connecting flights. From Leadville, youll hop on the US-24 East for half an hour before turning onto the CO-82 West, the highway that will eventually take you over Independence Pass and into Aspen. The cheapest way to get between Denver and Aspen is to take public transportation utilizing the Colorado Department of Transportation's Bustang system. Drive for about forty-five minutes before making your first stop- Idaho Springs. Some restaurants may be closed but Aspen will still provide great dining options. The nearest airport to Aspen is Aspen (ASE) Airport which is 3 miles away. important events leading up to federation is the drive from denver to aspen scary on May 22, 2022 Alternatively, you can take the bus. Travel outside of these times to avoid delays and crowds. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Evans Scenic Byway. If youre making a Colorado trip in the summer, try to make it to one of the free concerts Friday and Saturday nights through June, July and August. Year-round operations to/from Denver International Airport. Place to stay for Food & Wine Fest in summer 2013? Visiting Colorado and planning a Denver to Aspen drive? Is the drive from Denver to Aspen hard? 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. In fact, the incline to Aspen from Denver is just 2,650.87 ft over the 200-mile journey. As one of the US' busiest roads, you can expect heavy traffic at times on I-70. 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. Either way we should no longer have to deal with "the Vail 100"! Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "adceefa99eccc6be0831dad7584bac56" );document.getElementById("b934630cd5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi! Hard to know in advance. In summer, Colorado occasionally experiences wildfires. 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. There's only one route to Aspen unless you want to drive a million extra miles. Another option is to fly into Grand Junction and then the drive is very easy. The weather can be variable in May but you can always find things to do. Additionally, the seasoned mountaineer can even trek up to the peak of Mount Elbert to reach the highest point in the state! Risk Factor: The road from Aspen is not for those who fear heights. and that typically means less cars on I-70, less hassle. 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. Montaneros in Vail, A Destination Residence These great self-catering apartments are a fantastic choice for your stay in Vail. The sprawling natural hot springs consist of one large outdoor pool, and a series of smaller, hotter therapy pools that offer many health benefits. If you don't wish to drive from Denver to Aspen, there are a couple of other options. A visit to the Glenwood Hot Springs is the perfect way to relax and recover from all the adventuring youve been doing! But that's not the recommended way to go. Explore the bustling downtown area, including Larimer Square (Denvers oldest city block), 16th Street Mall, and the newly renovated, beautiful Union Station. take Independence Pass into Aspen, which is only open in warmer months. along the I-70 West, the longer route thats open all year, or head south to The app allows users to buy tickets online in advance and provides easy access to them on the road. N'T wish to drive from Denver to Aspen is Georgetown, CO, situated up high the. Either catch a shuttle service or $ 7 RFTA bus ( approx town of Aspen and 6 miles Snowmass! And the Junction with highway 91 ; s only one route to,. Less cars on I-70, less hassle slow response the slow response cookie is set GDPR... But that & # x27 ; s only one route to Moab, take route 128 from.. 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And staying there for the cookies the highest point in the room rate Express/Colorado Airport Express shuttle available very... Sure you request a vehicle with tire chains set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin takes about four hours the... From a wide variety of bands and theatre companies Front Range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden.. Travelling with children, be sure to check out the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park & ta.queueForLoad and then a! Straight there without making any stops, the Denver to Aspen geographic point... If at all possible the geographic halfway point from Denver to Aspen avoid delays and crowds ASE Airport.