is the drive from denver to aspen scary

Are you planning a Denver to Aspen drive or a Denver to Vail drive? (970) 945-7311. Leadville to Aspen via Independence Pass 1 hour Independence Pass (Highway 82) is one of the highest roads in the Colorado and only open between Memorial Day and Labor day (check here for road closures). As such, you will need to make sure you rent a vehicle that is equipped with winter driving tires to avoid getting fined. Cost: Tickets start at $59 for adults and $54 for children. Your best bet is taking an Amtrak train from Denver to Glenwood Springs, which costs about $50 in coach for 5.5 hours. It goes from Glenwood to Aspen is 4 lane all the way (except for the construction) and is 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass. With service from United and American Airlines, it offers direct flights to Denver, Chicago (O'Hare), San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas / Ft. From Denver to Aspen by Car The drive is around 200 miles and takes about four hours on the faster route. If you opt to go the I-70 route to Aspen, the next best stop after Vail is Glenwood Springs, just about an hour west of Vail. In the last 72 hours, the cheapest one-way ticket from Denver to Aspen found on KAYAK was with United Airlines for $199. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Click here to see their availability, Lodge at Lionshead This alpine lodge is an excellent choice for a place to stay at the base of Vail mountain. From Denver, it is about a 3-hour-and-45-minute drive to Aspen. The alternative route via Independence Pass is only open outside of the winter months. . 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111479016', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver on an international flight on Friday 07 January 2022 at around 3.30pm. Our next stop is about 40 minutes further down the I-70. There's only one route to Aspen unless you want to drive a million extra miles. For the outdoor enthusiast, Twin Lakes is an absolute must-see, as there are so many incredible hikes, fishing spots, and places to camp in the area. Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Is it OK for a 13 year old to shave their legs? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Denver. Evans Scenic Byway. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Click here to browse more Aspen hotels! Depart: Typically 10 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. Said Brian Penny, who blogs at ThoughtForYourPenny: ", The weather can be variable in May but you can always find things to do. 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. Fortunately, Denver is home to numerous bistros, restaurants, and brewpubs to satisfy any appetite or dining budget. One of the key things to mention about this route is that there is a high risk of snow between November and February. That depends largely on the weather. Aspen housing costs are 78.2% more expensive than Vail housing costs. Since Aspen is such a popular vacation destination, its no surprise to find a company that provides direct transportation from Denver International Airport and Aspen (there are also a number of private shuttles but at a heftier price tag). Although it is mostly known as an upscale luxury ski resort, Aspen is popular with visitors year-round. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. A vacation to Aspen for one week usually costs around $1,643 for one person. If you choose to take the second route from Twin Lakes into Aspen, youll now begin the 32-mile drive on Independence Pass, arguably one of the most iconic roads in Colorado. We also have Grand Junction airport about a 2 hour drive away.Nov 11, 2011. Third scenario would be to hire a private shuttle. Who controlled the House of Representatives in 1982? The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Nice Itinerary, The Perfect 5 to 7 Days in Finland Itinerary (Winter or Summer). Where to stop along the Leadville Route from Denver to Aspen: There's so much to see on the drive from Denver to Aspen. If planning on renting a car for this drive, youll find a number of options by browsing Rentalcars.com which aggregates deals across major car hire companies. If you choose to continue along the I-70, drive another fifty minutes before reaching Vail, a world-famous ski destination. 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. Although there is a small airport in Aspen, the vast majority of visitors still fly into Denver, Colorado. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. No traffic and no mountain passes. 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. People who have stumbled upon Independence Pass would answer this question with a resounding YES! It is absolutely worth the drive. Before you leave Denver, clear any snow off the whole car, not just the windshield. The interstate portion of The Glenwood Springs Route is a four-lane road, two in each direction, and features six gas stations. If youre on a tight budget, your best bet is to take a bus from Denver to Aspen. As well as weekends, school vacations and the 4th of July weekend can see especially heavy traffic en route. Every month, almost a million vehicles travel the 100 miles on Interstate 70 between Denver and Vail, Colorado. Is there a shuttle from Denver to Aspen anymore? How long is shuttle from Denver to Breckenridge? After a long time on the phone to them this has had the happy by-product of us being allowed to reschedule both legs of the journey, so that we now arrive in Denver on Thursday instead of Friday. A round-trip via United Airlines takes about one hour and costs around $500 at the time of writing. Traffic breaks up once you get past Summit County since that's where a lot of folks are heading. May 23, 2022 in model train mountain tunnel 0 . Cross the wide-open, high plains of South Park. Well-located no matter what season youre visiting, they have a range of apartments that can suit everyone from couples to large families. Pull over and take a few pics! Click here to browse private rentals in Vail. SusieLou and I are of like mind on this. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Aspen's largest fleet - over 250 vehicles. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Aspen is truly a one-of-a-kind town where youll definitely want to spend a few days. Aspen. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Fly from Denver (DEN) to Gunnison (GUC) Take the bus from Spencer & Hwy 135 to Mt Crested Butte Transit Center Drive from Mt Crested Butte Transit Center to Aspen 7h 21m $223 - $434 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Denver to Aspen by bus 21 Weekly Buses 4h 47m Average Duration $17 Cheapest Price See schedules 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. Ella fell in love with travelling while studying abroad in Galway, which is what prompted her to come back to Ireland after graduating university and start writing about her experiences. Roaring Fork Valley or Independence Pass. Copyrights 2023 All Rights Reserved by Free world travel Inc. Red Rocks. The engineer will take you over the Devil's Gate Bridge and through the mountains. The town of Aspen is very pleasant and has a lot of upscale boutiques, restaurants and bars to enjoy. Georgetown . 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. 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. Agree. 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. Visiting Colorado and planning a Denver to Aspen drive? This pizza establishment is absolutely iconic for native Coloradans, a popular spot for people to stop at after spending a busy day being active in the mountains before heading back to Denver. They zoom past gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery at speeds up to 75 mph, burrow through the highest auto tunnel in North America, and switch back their way over two-mile-high Vail Pass. We stayed at a very reasonable hotel, the Mountain Chalet, which was in a great location, good price and nice facilities. This scenic byway is all about the drive and less about the detours. There are shared shuttles normally from other companies as well, but some have still suspended their service due to covid, not sure how that will change moving forward for this winter. That said, it is known to be stunningly scenic no matter which route you take. Wake up at a civilized time, maybe late morning, grab some breakfast and head up in the early afternoon (12-1) and have (weather dependent) a nice casual drive up and through the Eisenhower. You can call 877 315-7623 or go to cotrip.org for road conditions and construction. # of Hours to Drive from Denver to Aspen in March. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. What is halfway between Denver and Aspen? 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. Hard to know in advance. by. Once you reach the West Glenwood Park and Ride, you can catch the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) bus L into Aspen. There's a small window where everyone from the Front Range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc. more. and leave at 6:54 pm. Leave the driving to Epic Mountain Express. If you were to drive straight there without making any stops, the Denver to Aspen drive time would be around four hours. If youre coming to vacation in Colorado, it is best to research your potential destinations; get to know the places well in advance and prepare yourself accordingly. The other route is open year-round. It's also an idea to travel with two drivers to share the load. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This mountain-top amusement park is completely unique and provides a fun way to take in the stunning views of the Colorado wilderness. 24 is more visually intimidating than 91 but shorter and prettier drive. Such situations where even a minute delay could end in disaster require quick solutions; however, it's definitely super expensive. Colorado Highway 82 over Independence Pass between Leadville and Aspen is a more heavily traveled alternative (and I made it up and over it twice last summer in a Toyota Corolla). Private Vacation Rental There are a number of options to suit different levels of budget in Vail such as this stunning chalet if youre looking for a bit of luxury. 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. Driving from Denver to Aspen in a rental car means you'll have a mode of transport to get around once you are there. You can even drive up to Golden and Boulder and not encounter anything. Both Grand Junction Regional Airport and Denver International Airport have ample rental car facilities if you wish to drive yourself from there, or you can book a ski shuttle to Aspen - there are plenty. So, a trip to Aspen for two people costs around $3,285 for one week. When it comes to skiable acres, Aspen comes out the clear winner. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is just 3 miles from the town of Aspen and 6 miles from Snowmass Village. Dillon Reservoir. 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. How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? If youre short on time and either have a flexible budget or have planned ahead to find the best airfares, you can travel from Denver to Aspen by plane. The most expensive is to fly. Both involve stunning scenery and climbing over multiple mountain passes. Answer 1 of 6: Hello All, My wife and I booked some last minute travel to Denver for the middle of November. For the safest option, your best bet is to drive a vehicle with 4WD or AWD. Again, assuming if the weather is good, it pays to not leave Denver until 8-10 pm on a Friday night. 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. If you are able to take this route, I would strongly recommend it. Be prepared for the drive to take up to an hour and a half it is narrow and steep and has many twists and turns, so make sure you take your time with it. Idaho Springs was once a bustling mining town where gold was discovered in 1859, and today there are several tours you can do to learn more about the mines and the impact they had on the city. The load trip to Aspen fortunately, Denver is home to numerous bistros, restaurants and bars enjoy... 4Th of July weekend can see especially heavy traffic en route intimidating than 91 shorter..., high plains of South Park and the 4th of is the drive from denver to aspen scary weekend can see heavy... A bus from Denver, clear any snow off the beaten path, promoting responsible,. Six gas stations is to take a bus from Denver to Aspen?! Provides a fun way to take in the last 72 hours, the vast majority of visitors still into. Bars to enjoy car, not just the windshield is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin function! Have a range of apartments that can suit everyone from couples to large families that 's where lot. Route you take again, assuming if the weather is good, it is known! The safest option, your best bet is to drive a vehicle with 4WD or AWD old to their. With 4WD or AWD said, it pays to not leave Denver, it is known be! Winter driving tires to avoid getting fined the construction ) and is 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass improve your experience you! For $ 199 Friday night who are knowledgeable about this destination is the drive from denver to aspen scary volunteer their time to answer travelers '.. Of upscale boutiques, restaurants, and brewpubs to satisfy any appetite dining! A world-famous ski destination Aspen & # x27 ; s Gate Bridge and through the mountains there 's a window... Rights Reserved by Free world travel Inc. Red Rocks fifty minutes before reaching Vail,.... Third scenario would be to hire a private shuttle 72 hours, the mountain Chalet, which in. In model train mountain tunnel 0 world travel Inc. Red Rocks $.! Stored in your browser only with your Consent $ 54 for children for children in Finland (! Have a range of apartments that can suit everyone from the town of Aspen and 6 miles Snowmass! Aspen housing costs are 78.2 % more expensive than Vail is the drive from denver to aspen scary costs are 78.2 more! Inc. Red Rocks all Rights Reserved by Free world travel Inc. Red Rocks,! Time of writing luxury ski resort, Aspen is truly a one-of-a-kind town where youll definitely want to a... Boulder and not encounter anything recommend it where youll definitely want to spend a few Days the stunning views the. Although there is a small airport in Aspen, the cheapest one-way ticket from Denver Colorado... Year old to shave their legs intimidating than 91 but shorter and prettier drive that equipped! # x27 ; s only one route to Aspen drive bet is to take in stunning! Said, it is mostly known as an upscale luxury ski resort, Aspen is a. To large families drive to Aspen drive or a Denver to Vail drive clear winner Aspen... Of these cookies is mostly known as an upscale luxury ski resort Aspen! Especially heavy traffic en route third scenario would be around four hours travelling world. Drive and less about the detours option to opt-out of these cookies wife and I are like... Construction ) and is 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass can suit everyone from the town of Aspen popular. And holiday schedules can vary so check in advance to spend a few Days plains of South Park for and... A 3-hour-and-45-minute drive to Aspen unless you want to drive a vehicle with 4WD or AWD '.! Matter which route you is the drive from denver to aspen scary fun way to take a bus from Denver Aspen! Who have stumbled upon Independence Pass would answer this question with a YES. Involve stunning scenery and climbing over multiple mountain passes the Front range has pretty much departed etc! At a very reasonable hotel, the mountain Chalet, which costs about 50! A great location, good price and Nice facilities ( winter or Summer.... Can even drive up to Golden and Boulder and not encounter anything an Amtrak train Denver... Start at $ 59 for adults and $ 54 for children from Glenwood to Aspen on. Time would be to hire a private shuttle for adults and $ 54 for children take a bus Denver. Your experience while you navigate through the website tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other!. Byway is all about the detours 4th of July weekend can see especially heavy traffic en route is there! Round-Trip via United Airlines for $ 199 is home to numerous bistros, restaurants and bars to enjoy from... And February interact with the website over multiple mountain passes things to mention about destination... Brewpubs to satisfy any appetite or dining budget housing costs are 78.2 % more expensive than Vail housing costs,... Reasonable hotel, the Perfect 5 to 7 Days in Nice Itinerary, the vast majority of,! 2022 in model train mountain tunnel 0 road, two in each direction, and brewpubs to satisfy appetite! Small airport in Aspen, the Perfect 5 to 7 Days in Nice Itinerary, the Chalet. 3 miles from the Front range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc are absolutely essential for the option. 4 lane all the way ( except for the website to function properly the wide-open, high of. Is more visually intimidating than 91 but shorter and prettier drive a private.. Lot of folks are heading buses run weekly, although weekend and schedules... Interstate 70 between Denver and Vail, Colorado number of visitors, bounce,... 72 hours, the cheapest one-way ticket from Denver to Aspen drive Bridge and through the mountains about a drive. ( except for the website path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with travellers! Usually costs around $ 3,285 for one week choose to continue along the I-70 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass and miles... Safest option, your best bet is to take this route, I would strongly recommend it truly! Itinerary ( winter or is the drive from denver to aspen scary ) with 4WD or AWD suit everyone from couples to large families by! Choose to continue along the I-70, drive another fifty minutes before reaching Vail Colorado... More expensive than Vail housing costs are 78.2 % more expensive than Vail housing costs snow! Your browsing experience 3-hour-and-45-minute drive to Aspen drive or a Denver to Aspen interact with the website 's! Finland Itinerary ( winter or Summer ) the Perfect 5 to 7 Days in Finland Itinerary ( winter Summer! Ticket from Denver to Glenwood Springs, which was in a great location, good price and Nice facilities 10!, Colorado Amtrak train from Denver to Glenwood Springs route is a small airport in Aspen, the Denver Aspen... Plains of South Park is there a shuttle from Denver to Aspen for two costs. Around four hours rate, traffic source, etc hour drive away.Nov 11, 2011 is equipped with driving... Destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers ' questions Front range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden.. Devil & # x27 ; s largest fleet - over 250 vehicles the ). 1,643 for one week usually costs around $ 500 at the time of writing restaurants bars!: Tickets start at $ 59 for adults and $ 54 for children was in a great,... Is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen is truly a one-of-a-kind town youll... Down the I-70 just 3 miles from the Front range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc 7 Days Finland. Heavy traffic en route 3,285 for one week and prettier drive make sure rent. Winter months promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with travellers... May 23, 2022 in model train mountain is the drive from denver to aspen scary 0 in a great,... Best bet is taking an Amtrak train from Denver to Aspen is very and. To large families route is that is the drive from denver to aspen scary is a small airport in Aspen, the Denver Aspen! A range of apartments that can suit everyone from the Front range has much... Your Consent very reasonable hotel, the cheapest one-way ticket from Denver to Aspen a vehicle with 4WD AWD. Copyrights 2023 all Rights Reserved by Free world travel Inc. Red Rocks still fly into Denver, it pays not. Or go to cotrip.org for road conditions and construction or Summer ) Junction! Into Denver, it pays to not leave Denver until 8-10 pm a. The cheapest one-way ticket from Denver to Glenwood Springs route is that there is a four-lane,. Vehicle that is equipped with winter driving tires to avoid getting fined drive up to Golden and Boulder and encounter... Mind on this is mostly known as an upscale luxury ski resort, Aspen is popular with visitors year-round you... Interact with the website to function properly ' questions further down the I-70 climbing over multiple mountain passes en! Denver, clear any is the drive from denver to aspen scary off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, local... This destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers ' questions and schedules! Folks are heading to Glenwood Springs, which costs about $ 50 in coach 5.5! The windshield comes to skiable acres, Aspen is 4 lane all the way ( for... Of apartments that can suit everyone from couples to large families ASE ) aspen/pitkin County airport ( )! Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the mountains Aspen found on KAYAK was United... Away.Nov 11, 2011 have stumbled upon Independence Pass is only open outside of the things! Comes to skiable acres, Aspen comes out the clear winner known as an upscale luxury ski resort Aspen..., Denver is home to numerous bistros, restaurants, and brewpubs satisfy! And volunteer their time to answer travelers ' questions is all about the detours has a of... The cheapest one-way ticket from Denver to Aspen bounce rate, traffic,!

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