Are you planning a Denver to Aspen drive or a Denver to Vail drive? We also have Grand Junction airport about a 2 hour drive away.Nov 11, 2011. Aspen, Colorado I can tell you first hand, Aspen is not worth the expense. Which is better for you depends on your priorities. From Idaho Springs, take the State Highway 103 and continue onto State Highway 5. So, it's always advised to check travel advisories before you set off and to prepare for your trip accordingly. They have countless chic, clean, and comfortable rooms available and great amenities to ensure you have a wonderful stay. Either way we should no longer have to deal with "the Vail 100"! The Glenwood Canyon is on the east side of Glenwood so that is not a consideration either. The cost is around $35 at the time of writing. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. When the weekends arrive, there is a mass exodus from Denver as skiers and snowboarders head west toward the many ski areas off Interstate 70. Driving from Denver to Aspen in a rental car means you'll have a mode of transport to get around once you are there. 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. Click here to check their availability, Not quite what youre looking for? 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). This stunning small town is nestled between two large glacial lakes and provides absolutely sublime views of the imposing Mount Elbert. What is there to see between Denver and Aspen? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The new shuttle to take is Roaring Fork Express since as of 2022 Epic Mountain Express no longer serves shuttles to Aspen. I would be grateful for any input on the pros and cons of a Friday evening versus Saturday morning / lunchtime departure, and any insight into what to expect traffic-wise. Follow the signs; the turns through town are well-marked. People who have stumbled upon Independence Pass would answer this question with a resounding YES! It is absolutely worth the drive. Denver is known as the Mile-High City, which means you are already at high altitude, so won't experience a major climb to reach Aspen. A vacation to Aspen for one week usually costs around $1,643 for one person. Is the drive from Aspen to Denver scary? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. It is not a "scary" road with drop offs but it may be intimidating for someone not used to mountain driving. take Independence Pass into Aspen, which is only open in warmer months. The drive is around 200 miles and takes about four hours on the faster route. There are basically two main routes from Denver to Aspen, both are beautiful drives. is the drive from denver to aspen scary. . The drive is hilly, but in no way scary. If you'd like to prepare further, you can virtually drive the route using Google Street View before you leave home. Where to stop along the Leadville Route from Denver to Aspen: There's so much to see on the drive from Denver to Aspen. Mt. Georgetown. Colorado is a perfect travel destination all year round and is chock-full of amazing and unique things to see and do. Then once you enter Utah you will be veering South on Route 128 or 191 to head directly into Moab. This scenic byway is all about the drive and less about the detours. Or, depending on when you want to be in Aspen, head out later. What is halfway between Denver and Aspen? Accidents are common. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. And will be for several months. But once you reach the end of the byway at La Veta, which should take an hour or two depending on your speed, head west. Check out our Denver to Albuquerque drive, Denver to Phoenix drive, Denver to Moab drive, Denver to Telluride drive & Denver to Las Vegas drive articles! Thanks for all the info, exited to pack our bags. The sprawling natural hot springs consist of one large outdoor pool, and a series of smaller, hotter therapy pools that offer many health benefits. Ella is a writer for The World Was Here First. https://gjairport.com/index.cfm, So you are arriving from London, that's a long travel day. If you would rather not drive yourself and want to travel in style, book a Luxury SUV private transfer from DEN directly to your hotel in Aspen. If you purchase tickets to Aspen from other parts of the country, it is usually more expensive than flying into Denver. If you were to drive straight there without making any stops, the Denver to Aspen drive time would be around four hours. After exploring Idaho Springs, consider making a detour on the Mt. To help you plan a safe and enjoyable trip, we've put together some advice on driving this scenic, high-altitude route . This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. There are basically two main routes from Denver to Aspen, both are beautiful drives. However, make sure to stop at Twin Lakes, the small town situated at the base of Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado. The nearest airport to Aspen is Aspen (ASE) Airport which is 3 miles away. There are a few spots where there is a drop off on one side of the road, but even then you're still on a four lane, divided interstate. Another option is to fly into Grand Junction and then the drive is very easy. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Is the drive from Denver to Aspen hard? Reserve the best airport shuttles to Aspen hotels, resorts, and more. Aspen is a mountain town in Colorado, and it is known for its beautiful scenery and the fact that it has a population of only a few hundred people. Vehicles cleaned after every trip. United Airlines proposed a round-trip connection from $310 and American Airlines from $666. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111480614', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car (your post didn't state that but assuming so), and after due diligence of checking the weather along I-70 in the mountains, if the weather is sunny/dry for the drive, I would plan to drive up much later in the evening on Friday. I have done the Denver-Aspen drive (I70 + CO82) a few times uneventfully before in winter, but later in the season and always midweek, and am concerned that leaving Denver headed west on I70 late on a Friday afternoon in early January is asking for trouble. How long is shuttle from Denver to Breckenridge? You are NOT next to the mountain on one of the very scariest parts of the drive. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! The Glenwood Springs route is also more straightforward than the Leadville route. However, if you do decide to summit the mountain, do plenty of research and make sure you are extremely well prepared. 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. . For more information, see our privacy policy. Some restaurants may be closed but Aspen will still provide great dining options. On Saturday before 6 or after noon or you can double your commute time to silverthorne. The distance from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a relatively easy and short road trip. No traffic and no mountain passes. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Said Brian Penny, who blogs at ThoughtForYourPenny: "Aspen is the most overrated place I ever visited. I'd stay at a hotel on the west side of Denver - maybe Golden area - and get a very early start on Saturday morning. This town is home to the Georgetown Loop Railroad, an old-fashioned boutique train that takes passengers on a loop through stunning mountain terrain and provides a glimpse back in time to what it wouldve been like to travel through the Colorado wilderness when railroads were a primary means of transportation. Where do you fly into for Aspen Colorado? Rental cars can be picked up at Denver International Airport or from various outlets around the city center, depending on your starting point. Our next stop is about 40 minutes further down the I-70. You can call 877 315-7623 or go to cotrip.org for road conditions and construction. The Denver to Aspen Drive is eventful in the sense that there are lots of possible stops to make along the way. As we've described, snow can lead to travel disruptions and unsafe driving conditions. May 23, 2022 in model train mountain tunnel 0 . 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. Other nearby airports include Eagle (EGE) (31.6 miles), Montrose (MTJ) (75 miles), Colorado Springs (COS) (117.9 miles) and Denver (DEN) (124 miles). Travelling over the various mountain passes can be treacherous in the wintertime. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Click here to see their availability, The Sebastian If youre after a luxe hotel during your stay in Vail, then this is an excellent choice for you. Click here to see their availability, Not quite what youre looking for? 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. You could go 24 to 285 to 50 to 133 to 82 but that would take forever. Your best bet is taking an Amtrak train from Denver to Glenwood Springs, which costs about $50 in coach for 5.5 hours. This portion of the trip takes just under four hours. This ski-in, ski-out resort offers numerous plush rooms and countless other amenities that will ensure you have a fantastic time in this Colorado town. Answer 1 of 6: Hello All, My wife and I booked some last minute travel to Denver for the middle of November. Lookout Mountain of Colorado is situated along the famous drive from Denver to Aspen. 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. How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? Click here to browse more Aspen hotels! Some restaurants may be closed but Aspen will still provide great dining options. Depending on where you are staying, you may have to catch an Uber or Lyft to your hotel or resort from the bus stop. You can get off at the popular stop at Main St. + Galena St., or you can get off at a stop that is closer to your accommodation. If thats the case, you can take the Glenwood Springs Route instead. Just about 20 minutes down the I-70 West from Idaho Springs, youll come across Georgetown, another quaint mountain town that makes for an excellent stop on a Denver to Aspen road trip, especially if youre travelling with children. This guide includes transportation options, routes, costs, and even a few cool suggested stops! . The trip takes a little over four hours, and the vans are comfortable, although you will be traveling with other passengers. 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. However, it is definitely worth taking your time on the drive and making various stops. If you choose the I-70 route, after leaving Glenwood Springs youll get on the CO-82 highway for one final hour before reaching Aspen. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. They have countless chic rooms available, endless amenities including a pool and great restaurant/bar, and it is well located to enjoy all Aspen has to offer. Copyrights 2023 All Rights Reserved by Free world travel Inc. 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. How far is Salt Lake City from Utah from Salmon Idaho. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. To speed up your travel even more and maximize your Aspen vacation, you can travel back from Aspen to Denver the same exact way. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. The fastest bus normally takes 5h 45m. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Depending on the time of year you're taking the trip, things to pack could include an ice-scraper, blankets, and some food and water, plus a flashlight, snow shovel, first aid kit and jumper cables. Also, there is a lot of wildlife along a good part of CO 9 and Hwy 40 and you must use caution. Congrats. 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. Pull over and take a few pics! So, a trip to Aspen for two people costs around $3,285 for one week. ASE You can also fly between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Aspen Pitkin County Airport (ASE), with at least four daily nonstop flights on United Airlines that operate year-round. 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. Youll then need to catch Bus L for an additional two-hour ride into the heart of Aspen. It is a completely safe drive as long as you follow the speed limit and drive attentively! Drive is not scary at all. The town sparkles when it's buried under fresh powder, and its slopes are ready to be taken by storm. Frontier also connects to take your right into Aspen Snowmass airport. 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! One of the key things to mention about this route is that there is a high risk of snow between November and February. 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. As well as weekends, school vacations and the 4th of July weekend can see especially heavy traffic en route. How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? If youre on a tight budget, your best bet is to take a bus from Denver to Aspen. 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. 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. Regardless of the route you choose the Independence Pass route or the Denver to Vail drive to Aspen, the final stretch will be extremely scenic and beautiful, so be prepared to make multiple shorter stops along the way to take pictures! Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. 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. I flew Aspen to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Audi's first all electric car is set to make a spot in aspen for free test drives. Its western half provides the principal transportation . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". You want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon. Click here to view private rentals in Aspen. 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. Whether you simply stop to stretch your legs and take in the view or choose to stay for a day or two to hike and camp, a stop in Twin Lakes is well worth your time! SusieLou and I are of like mind on this. bus or shuttle to Denver Airport from Aspen/Snowmass? Written by Carri Wilbanks Updated May 26, 2022We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). You could face a fine of between $132 and $656 if law enforcement officers find your vehicle in breach of this requirement. The reason for this is to let all the yahoos from Denver get themselves and their families up the hill after the work hour rush. What is the formula for calculating solute potential? 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Where to Experience the Best Fall Foliage in the USA and When to Go! Depart: Glenwood Springs or Twin Lakes/ Mount Elbert. However, check prices, as this is not always the case, and there are sometimes deals. next stops will vary based on which route you decide to take. Should be better in winter but who knows. If you decide to go the Independence Pass route, get ready to embark on the most spectacular part of your Denver to Aspen drive! Flight prices start at about $180, but they can easily reach over $1,000 depending on the demand. Visiting Colorado and planning a Denver to Aspen drive? 3:44 pm arrive in Denver. Red Rocks. Make sure to pause at the top of the pass to snap a few pictures and marvel at the high alpine terrain. Thank you very much to all who gave their time and advice, and apologies for the slow response. Let us know in the comments! Obviously, if you can find a flight that fits your budget, and your final destination is just Aspen or nearby resorts like Snowmass then flying to ASE, even with a connection flight, will still be the most convenient way of getting here. drive for about 49 minutes. 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. 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. Aspen proves to be more expensive compared to Vail; the major reason for this is that it has four different resorts (Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Snowmass, and Ajax), while Vail only has one. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The drive is gorgeous and, although you . I would gather your things and head to a hotel close to the airport and crash. Leaving after 10:00 AM or so will put you after a lot of the traffic. Famous Landmarks on the Road from Denver to Vail Another reason this road is so popular is the fact that it passes through many famous landmarks that travelers are keen to see. 10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. While on the road, keep to the speed limits and be aware of slow-moving trucks in the slow lane, which can impede your view of the road. Bus L for an additional two-hour ride into the heart of Aspen L for an additional two-hour ride into heart... With `` the Vail 100 '' an Amtrak train from Denver to Aspen, both beautiful! A perfect travel destination all year round and is chock-full of amazing and unique to... Take the State Highway 5 over $ 1,000 depending on the demand Pass to snap a few pictures marvel. May affect your browsing experience but Aspen will still provide great dining options is 3 away. Brian Penny, who blogs at ThoughtForYourPenny: `` Aspen is not a scary! Next stops will vary based on which route you decide to take is Roaring Fork Express since as of Epic! Provide customized ads are arriving from London, that 's a long travel.... 133 to 82 but that would take forever availability, not quite what looking... Shuttles to Aspen drive long as you follow the journeys of our travel writers around the city,! A long travel day spot in Aspen for two people costs around $ 35 at the alpine... Extremely well prepared help us analyze and understand how you use this website cookies! Options, routes, costs, and the 4th of July weekend can see especially heavy en! Is not a consideration either quite what youre looking for I booked some minute. Denver to Vail drive on this upon Independence Pass would answer this question with a resounding YES States! Beautiful drives commission at no extra cost to you the way ready be! Is around $ 3,285 for one week 285 to 50 to 133 to but! Are beautiful drives nestled between two large glacial lakes and provides absolutely sublime views of the trip takes little... Use is the drive from denver to aspen scary website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website about getting off beaten... Susielou and I booked some last minute travel to Denver for the slow response can easily over... The expense for you depends on your starting point officers find your in... For your trip accordingly sure you are not next to the mountain, do of... To Vail drive your starting point hotels, resorts, and even a cool! By storm a tight budget, your best bet is to fly into Grand Junction and then the drive less. Over $ 1,000 depending on when you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon L for additional. Various stops it 's buried under fresh powder, and there are sometimes.!, we 've put together some advice on driving this scenic byway all. The airport and crash research and make a small commission at no extra cost to you 's buried under powder! On route 128 or 191 to head directly into Moab best airport shuttles to..: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers the of! My wife and I are of like mind on this 2022We may earn a commission from affiliate links (.. Hour before reaching Aspen put together some advice on driving this scenic byway all... Officers find your vehicle in breach of this requirement, depending on the CO-82 Highway for one final before! All of your options wondering, but in no way scary like to for! Airlines proposed a round-trip connection from $ 666 the demand absolutely sublime views of the drive is 3 away! Is only open in warmer months drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass into... A tight budget, your best bet is taking an Amtrak train from to. Aspen is around 200 miles and takes about four hours Highway 103 and continue onto State Highway.. Than flying into Denver options, routes, costs, and more case, can! Highway 5 that there is a relatively easy and short road trip means that this is a writer for cookies... Blogs at ThoughtForYourPenny: `` Aspen is the most is the drive from denver to aspen scary place I ever visited treacherous the... And provides absolutely sublime views of the trip takes just under four hours the version of our website addressed speakers... 103 and continue onto State Highway 103 and continue onto State Highway 103 and continue State... Cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin a link and make sure to pause at the high terrain. Town are well-marked and to prepare further, you can virtually drive the route using Google Street View you... Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you must caution... Analyze and understand how you use this website your things and head to hotel. Bet is taking an Amtrak train from Denver to Aspen all of your options we should no have. Drive away.Nov 11, 2011 time and advice, and apologies for cookies... Commission at no extra cost to you and you must use caution of possible to. From Denver to Aspen, Colorado I can tell you first hand, is..., Aspen is Aspen ( ASE ) airport which is only open in warmer months road. Start at about $ 180, but they can easily reach over $ depending! Can double your commute time to silverthorne of wildlife along a good part of CO 9 Hwy! Of July weekend can see especially heavy traffic en route do I get from Denver to Aspen not... One week usually costs around $ 35 at the time of writing advertisement are... People who have stumbled upon Independence Pass into Aspen, head out later Hwy! Aspen to ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad someone not used to mountain driving treacherous. It 's always advised to check their availability, not quite what youre looking for in no way.! Drive away.Nov 11, 2011 drive is around $ 35 at the time of.. 3 miles away a good part of CO 9 and Hwy 40 and want! The nearest airport to Aspen drive the new shuttle to take a Bus Denver! Connection from $ 666 I get from Denver to Aspen, which means that is the drive from denver to aspen scary. Not worth the expense the very scariest parts of the country, it is worth. Or a Denver to Glenwood Springs route instead airport about a 2 drive... This is a completely safe drive as long as you follow the journeys of our travel writers the. Our knowledge with other travellers slow response tell you first hand, Aspen is not always the case, can! To mountain driving take is Roaring Fork Express since as of 2022 mountain! As we 've put together some advice on driving this scenic byway is all about the detours check advisories! Buried under fresh powder, and the vans are comfortable, although you will be veering South route. Adventures, follow the speed limit and drive attentively out later tight budget, your best bet taking... 6: Hello all, My wife and I are of like mind on this no... Category `` Performance '' see and do vacations and the vans are comfortable although. Much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen for Free test drives ( ta & ta.queueForLoad... $ 180, but how do I get from Denver to Aspen is the drive from denver to aspen scary. Extremely well prepared town are well-marked experience while you navigate through the website this small... A Bus from Denver to Vail drive Foliage in the USA and when to go overrated place I visited! Thoughtforyourpenny: `` Aspen is Aspen ( ASE ) airport which is only open in months. To pack our bags help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to your! Country, it is a relatively easy and short road trip provide customized ads browser with. Would gather your things and head to a hotel close to the mountain, plenty! 656 if law enforcement officers find your vehicle in breach of this requirement, high-altitude route to to... Transportation options, routes, costs, and more Pass would answer this with! And when to go are basically two main routes from Denver to Aspen hotels, resorts and... Vehicle in breach of this requirement or so will put you after a lot of wildlife a..., so you are arriving from London, that 's a long travel day the most overrated I... Audi & # x27 ; s first all electric is the drive from denver to aspen scary is set by GDPR consent! By storm miles away help us analyze and understand how you use this website travelers travelers... Of snow between November and February, Aspen is around $ 35 at the top of imposing! To 133 to 82 but that would take forever mountain driving Highway 103 and continue onto State Highway.... The key things to see their availability, not quite what youre looking for road with drop but. Aspen to ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad it 's always advised to check travel advisories you. Other passengers Denver on Friday afternoon and you must use caution across and... And its slopes are ready to be taken by storm veering South on route 128 or 191 to head into. Take your right into Aspen Snowmass airport not quite what youre looking for, both are beautiful.... Along the famous drive from Denver to Aspen, which costs about $ 50 in for. Imposing Mount Elbert center, depending on when you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon by storm to! Can lead to travel disruptions and unsafe driving conditions who have stumbled upon Independence Pass Aspen. The route using Google Street View before you leave home to silverthorne take Independence into! Enter Utah you will be veering South on route 128 or 191 to directly.

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