The Denver to Aspen Drive is eventful in the sense that there are lots of possible stops to make along the way. drive for about 24 minutes. Have you been on a Colorado road trip? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111484181', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car, it will be dark. Center Fly from Gunnison (GUC) to Denver (DEN) GUC - DEN The nearest airport to Aspen is Aspen (ASE) Airport which is 3 miles away. Explore the bustling downtown area, including Larimer Square (Denvers oldest city block), 16th Street Mall, and the newly renovated, beautiful Union Station. The app allows users to buy tickets online in advance and provides easy access to them on the road. The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary. Answer 1 of 3: My sister and I will be driving from Denver International Airport on September 18th to 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. 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. 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. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". For about $40, you can travel all 159 miles between these two cities within 6+ hours. Some restaurants may be closed but Aspen will still provide great dining options. Roaring Fork Valley or Independence Pass. Additionally, the seasoned mountaineer can even trek up to the peak of Mount Elbert to reach the highest point in the state! 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. Since you have a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? My wife and I are planning on arriving in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you're into stunning mountain pass views, head south at Copper Mountain through Leadville, then west over Independence Pass. The city at the geographic halfway point from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO is Lincoln, Colorado. Traffic will be heavy. However, make sure to stop at Twin Lakes, the small town situated at the base of Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Driving on the alternative route from Denver to Aspen 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. Your email will not be provided to third parties. One of the key things to mention about this route is that there is a high risk of snow between November and February. I regularly drive that trip and most of the time it is no big deal but then there are days when it is. Operated by Bustang and RFTA, the Denver to Aspen bus service departs from Denver Union Station and arrives in Paepcke Park. Click here to view private rentals in Aspen. Afterwards, check out Beau Jos on the main street in the centre of town. Road Trip From Denver To Yellowstone National Park. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. If you are able to take this route, I would strongly recommend it. Is the drive from Denver to Aspen pretty? The weather can be variable in May but you can always find things to do. 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. The Glenwood Canyon is on the east side of Glenwood so that is not a consideration either. Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. Denver to Aspen drive is a perfect starting point for your trip to the state of Colorado. Thanks for all the info, exited to pack our bags. 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. Rental cars can be picked up at Denver International Airport or from various outlets around the city center, depending on your starting point. 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. Some restaurants may be closed but Aspen will still provide great dining options. Both routes start out headed west from Denver on I-70. The best way to get from Denver to Boulder without a car is to bus which takes 42 min and costs $1 - $6. 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. 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. Whether admired via hike, scenic drive, or gondola ride, Flagstaff's San Francisco Peaks are an incredible sight to behold.The mountain range, which is actually a group of ancient volcanoes that last erupted around 400,000 years ago, is home to Humphreys Peak, Arizona's tallest mountain, which rises to a height of more than 12,000 feet. I would gather your things and head to a hotel close to the airport and crash. Get west of denver friday night. Again, assuming if the weather is good, it pays to not leave Denver until 8-10 pm on a Friday night. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. . By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Reserve the best airport shuttles to Aspen hotels, resorts, and more. Bustang has a mobile app users can download. along the I-70 West, the longer route thats open all year, or head south to Fitted your vehicle with tire chains or alternate traction devices in snow is a legal requirement for vehicles below 16,001 lb. Annabelle Inn This European-style ski lodge is a wonderful place to base yourself in Aspen. . 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. United Airlines proposed a round-trip connection from $310 and American Airlines from $666. The cost is around $35 at the time of writing. 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 . Click here to browse more Vail hotels. 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. 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. Many of these activities only add 4 hours to your itinerary. Its western half provides the principal transportation . Pull over and take a few pics! The overhead storage bins are also roomy enough to fit strollers and other gear. The journey from the Mile-High City of Denver to the upscale resort of Aspen is popular year-round, with great hiking and skiing. Written by Carri Wilbanks Updated May 26, 2022We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Seats have seatbelts that allow for car seats to be strapped in. Although it is mostly known as an upscale luxury ski resort, Aspen is popular with visitors year-round. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Breckenridge also has five peaks, while Aspen has four. 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). We stayed at a very reasonable hotel, the Mountain Chalet, which was in a great location, good price and nice facilities. Montaneros in Vail, A Destination Residence These great self-catering apartments are a fantastic choice for your stay in Vail. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. You will spend most of your drive on i70. 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. 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. More than a dozen schools around Colorado were the victims Wednesday of apparently coordinated "swatting" threats, with a caller claiming to be an active shooter on campus. The city at the geographic halfway point from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO is Lincoln, Colorado. Denver is the capital city of Colorado, and the perfect starting point for this trip, not only because it is likely where youll be flying into and renting a car, but also because it is an extremely vibrant, beautiful, and interesting city. How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? Overweight and oversized vehicles are not allowed, as the roads simply cannot accommodate them. 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. If you are in a real hurry or if you have to be somewhere in Aspen on time, then taking a flight might be the best choice. As such, you will need to make sure you rent a vehicle that is equipped with winter driving tires to avoid getting fined. 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. From here, it is at least another hour over Independence Pass down into Aspen.Feb 18, 2020. Independence Pass is usually open between Memorial Day and Labor Day depending on snowfall. Check in, have a nice dinner, and be ready for skiing the next day. 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. The trip takes a little over four hours, and the vans are comfortable, although you will be traveling with other passengers. and that typically means less cars on I-70, less hassle. Ski, hike, bike, rock-climb, or horseback ride to your hearts content- Aspen has it all and is the perfect place to end a Colorado road trip. If you'd like to take in the region's natural beauty, climb aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad ! Other nearby airports include Eagle (EGE) (31.6 miles), Montrose (MTJ) (75 miles), Colorado Springs (COS) (117.9 miles) and Denver (DEN) (124 miles). (970) 945-7311. The heavy traffic is between Golden and Eisenhower tunnel. Aspen, Colorado I can tell you first hand, Aspen is not worth the expense. Regardless of how you reach your destination, I hope you have an amazing time experiencing everything that Aspen has to offer. https://coloradotransfer.com/Aspen-p122109407?gclid=CjwKCAjw_L6LBhBbEiwA4c46unbKJRfW_gyF4PyZxpbbjACecHQ45ip8mfAwyjQl0Uo44iNZl9-MphoCE7EQAvD_BwE. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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. The drive is gorgeous and, although you . The interstate portion of The Glenwood Springs Route is a four-lane road, two in each direction, and features six gas stations. Soak it all in. When youre ready to begin your drive from Denver to Aspen, youll need to choose between the two main routes: the Leadville route and the Glenwood Springs route. 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. There are quite a few ways to get from Denver to Aspen, and each has its perks. 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. Pin this image to save these Denver to Aspen travel directions for later. How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? There are basically two main routes from Denver to Aspen, both are beautiful drives. 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. 3. Lookout Mountain of Colorado is situated along the famous drive from Denver to Aspen. 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. 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. This ritzy ski-resort town showcases the spirit of Colorados rustic wilderness, but with a touch of glamour. Parking is expensive, it's overly crowded, and it's filled with touristy shtick nobody actually likes."