I wouldnt recommend trying to get to Silverthorne to avoid traffic. Driving from Denver to Aspen in a rental car means you'll have a mode of transport to get around once you are there. Other nearby airports include Eagle (EGE) (31.6 miles), Montrose (MTJ) (75 miles), Colorado Springs (COS) (117.9 miles) and Denver (DEN) (124 miles). Above all, if you love to fly over clouds from . Georgetown. For a first-time visit to Colorado, I would recommend embarking on the drive from Denver to Aspen. Keep an eye on Glenwood canyon too it had mudslides all summer. 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. The sprawling natural hot springs consist of one large outdoor pool, and a series of smaller, hotter therapy pools that offer many health benefits. These depart frequently from DEN, and will drop you at most hotels and resorts around Aspen. If you are traveling downhill away from Aspen you are on the outside lane and there is a couple of place where it's a long way down and no shoulder. If youre on a tight budget, your best bet is to take a bus from Denver to Aspen. 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 could face a fine of between $132 and $656 if law enforcement officers find your vehicle in breach of this requirement. It does not store any personal data. It takes just under two hours to reach Leadville, which is a nice spot to stop for a coffee or lunch. Health related expenses are 3.5% more in 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. If my choices were fly to Aspen, drive DIA to Aspen, fly to GJ and drive to Aspen, that would be the order of my preference. No traffic and no mountain passes. My problem is that I get really bad anxiety when driving. I could see flying into GJ and staying there for the night and then having a short drive up to Aspen as a possiblity. So, it's always advised to check travel advisories before you set off and to prepare for your trip accordingly. Holiday Inn Express Downtown Denver A great hotel if youre on the hunt for something consistent and reliable in Downtown Denver. 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. The drive is around 200 miles and takes about four hours on the faster route. 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. As such, you will need to make sure you rent a vehicle that is equipped with winter driving tires to avoid getting fined. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. Once you reach the West Glenwood Park and Ride, you can catch the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) bus L into Aspen. take Independence Pass into Aspen, which is only open in warmer months. 1 Is the drive from Denver to Aspen hard? Check out this stunning chalet in the heart of Vail! 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. The distance from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a relatively easy and short road trip. The weather can be variable in May but you can always find things to do. Leaving Denver, you will get on I-70 west and take it all the way to Glenwood Springs. Thank you very much to all who gave their time and advice, and apologies for the slow response. The most expensive is to fly. I wouldn't want to drive very far in the dark if it is snowing in the foothills or beyond. You dont need a car to make the most of your time in Aspen: Your feet will suit you just fine in town, and the bus will get you to and from the ski areas in an affordable and timely fashion. 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. 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. As one of the US' busiest roads, you can expect heavy traffic at times on I-70. The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Nice Itinerary, The Perfect 5 to 7 Days in Finland Itinerary (Winter or Summer). How far is Salt Lake City from Utah from Salmon Idaho. Get west of denver friday night. !0% DISCOUNT FOR Colorado Mountain Express (www.cmex.com). For the city of Denver, you won't find any scary roads or drop offs, you'd have to go pretty far west to the mountains. With so much to do and see along the way, youre sure to have an unforgettable trip, whichever route you decide to take. Both involve stunning scenery and climbing over multiple mountain passes. These transfers are great because you won't share the vehicle with other guests outside your party, and you can schedule your pickup for immediately after you arrive at the airport. 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. While trying to digest all the advice and come up with the best plan to get to Aspen our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? From Denver, drive for about 30 minutes along the US-6 West until you reach the small town of Morrison, where Red Rocks is located. While this is most likely from November to February, the weather in this region can be unpredictable. In fact, it's fair to say it is one of the most overrated places I have ever visited. 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 journey from the Mile-High City of Denver to the upscale resort of Aspen is popular year-round, with great hiking and skiing. Thank you! How long is the drive from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO? Another option is to fly into Grand Junction and then the drive is very easy. You will pay many times more to ski the same slopes that you can get to from other mountain areas.Nov 20, 2014, 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. Our next stop is about 40 minutes further down the I-70. This stunning small town is nestled between two large glacial lakes and provides absolutely sublime views of the imposing Mount Elbert. How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? Annabelle Inn This European-style ski lodge is a wonderful place to base yourself in Aspen. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. And finally, after a Denver to Aspen scenic drive, youll have arrived in beautiful Aspen, Colorado! One of the key things to mention about this route is that there is a high risk of snow between November and February. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. People who have stumbled upon Independence Pass would answer this question with a resounding YES! It is absolutely worth the drive. Epic Mountain Express used to provide daily rides between Denver and Aspen for $92 per person. May 23, 2022 in model train mountain tunnel 0 . So, a trip to Aspen for two people costs around $3,285 for one week. 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. The six hour drive from Denver to Durango is nearly Highway 285 the whole way, with a final two hour stint on Highway 160, passing Del Norte, South Fork, Wolf Creek and Pagosa Springs. If you don't wish to drive from Denver to Aspen, there are a couple of other options. However, make sure to stop at Twin Lakes, the small town situated at the base of Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado. 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.Aug 4, 2021. 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. In the winter, try snow kiteboarding or iceboating on the frozen reservoir, and in the beautiful summer months, you can rent kayaks, paddleboards and other boats and spend a day out on the sparkling water, surrounded on all sides by impressive mountain facades. This town offers some interesting insight into Colorados history and the importance of the mining industry in the development of the state, making it an ideal stop on the Denver to Aspen drive. the drive, youll have to make the decision whether or not youll continue These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. To help you plan a safe and enjoyable trip, we've put together some advice on driving this scenic, high-altitude route . There are two main routes you could take from Denver to Aspen, which are of similar length and driving time. (970) 945-7311. The nearest airport to Aspen is Aspen (ASE) Airport which is 3 miles away. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. However, check prices, as this is not always the case, and there are sometimes deals. 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. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This option takes about 3h15m, making it the shorter of the two drives. Is the drive from Aspen to Denver scary? The road features some bends, so also watch out for signs that forewarn of sharp curves. However, a temporary lower speed limit may be imposed at certain times, so keep an eye out for signs along the route. With great hiking and skiing between November and February the category `` Analytics.... Aspen as a possiblity temporary lower speed limit may be imposed at certain times, so also out! Coffee or lunch that this is not always the case, and be inspired getting fined i ever... The shorter of the two drives i wouldnt recommend trying to get to Aspen our ( &! And finally, after a Denver to Aspen provides absolutely sublime views of most! % DISCOUNT for Colorado Mountain Express used to provide daily rides between Denver Aspen. Rent a vehicle that is equipped with winter driving tires to avoid.. 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