Heck why not. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111479169', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver. And will be for several months. Congrats. 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. Montaneros in Vail, A Destination Residence These great self-catering apartments are a fantastic choice for your stay in Vail. Steamboat is a real joy in the summer. The drive is around 200 miles and takes about four hours on the faster route. To: round-trip one-way. Travel outside of these times to avoid delays and crowds. Make sure to pause at the top of the pass to snap a few pictures and marvel at the high alpine terrain. For reference I live in London and so am sadly used to sitting in grinding traffic. Travelling over the various mountain passes can be treacherous in the wintertime. 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. Click here to see their availability, The Gant This luxury resort is an excellent place to stay in Aspen if youre on the hunt for a plush stay in the Colorado ski town. stay for about 1 hour. Tunnel and over Vail Pass. Snacks and beverages are also served, and the service includes a complimentary 20-minute rest stop to stretch your legs. The distance from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a relatively easy and short road trip. You could go 24 to 285 to 50 to 133 to 82 but that would take forever. If you don't wish to drive from Denver to Aspen, there are a couple of other options. 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. Private shuttle from Denver (DEN) to Aspen from InterMountain Express costs between $619 (Luxury SUV up to 3 passengers) and $809 (Private shuttle up to 9-14 passengers). There are basically two main routes from Denver to Aspen, both are beautiful drives. Drive During Off-Peak Hours Timing your drive is essential when traveling from the Denver metro area west to Aspen in the winter. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. 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. Humans first settled in the area as early as 1880. Depending on where you are staying, you may have to catch an Uber or Lyft to your hotel or resort from the bus stop. Really, how you get between Denver and Aspen will depend on your budget, travel priorities, and timeframe, but if you enjoy road trips, we highly recommend making the drive in one form or another, as it honestly takes you through some of Colorado's most gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery. Idaho Springs. 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. 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. 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 you need a child seat, these can also be arranged with advance notice. 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. Leaving after 10:00 AM or so will put you after a lot of the traffic. Is there a shuttle from Denver to Aspen anymore? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111852146', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver for many years and it is very convenient most of the time :-). There is so much to do so I would allow, The total driving distance from Vail, CO to Aspen, CO is, A vacation to Aspen for one week usually costs around, Leadville to Aspen via Independence Pass , The city at the geographic halfway point from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO is. However, make sure to stop at Twin Lakes, the small town situated at the base of Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado. However, they only lead to road closures when smoke affects visibility. We plan on renting a car (or taking the shuttle) and driving to Aspen for a couple of days. Should be better in winter but who knows. Click here to view private rentals in Aspen. Finally, as Denver and Aspen are high elevation cities, some people may suffer altitude sickness. Place to stay for Food & Wine Fest in summer 2013? However, check before you travel, as the service to Aspen is sometimes suspended. 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. 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. If you're into stunning mountain pass views, head south at Copper Mountain through Leadville, then west over Independence Pass. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is the oldest, first opening in the 1880s. This option takes about 3h15m, making it the shorter of the two drives. As always when driving long distances and in inclement weather, make sure you have adequate fuel for your journey. Georgetown. 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. more. After exploring Idaho Springs, consider making a detour on the Mt. If you do decide to take this detour, simply come back the way you came and right back on the I-70 West to continue on your way to Aspen. The journey from the Mile-High City of Denver to the upscale resort of Aspen is popular year-round, with great hiking and skiing. 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. 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). 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. Friday evening and Saturday morning are both terrible to be heading west on I70 from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula: Which Irish Drive is for You? By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. How do you read a John Deere baler serial number? From here, it is at least another hour over Independence Pass down into Aspen.Feb 18, 2020. The drive through the Independence Pass mountain range is a stunning, high-altitude journey that takes you away from the interstate to experience some spectacular scenery. You don't 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. Both routes start out headed west from Denver on I-70. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 1 hour duration; you can catch the bus on 8th street). If you prefer a campervan or motorhome, then youll find a great selection of choices on Outdoorsy. I have tried to research this topic, and the general theme seems to be you are totally crazy to try and drive from Denver to spend on either a Friday or Saturday, and while I accept that my timing is not great unfortunately I have had to book the trip this way, and so now am just trying to get an idea of the real size of the challenge. 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. 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! 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. CO-82 is also a well-maintained four-lane road, with additional gas stations and a 55 mph speed limit. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111480238', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Flights to Aspen are more expensive but you would save on a dicey drive and not need a car when yoi get there. To speed up your travel even more and maximize your Aspen vacation, you can travel back from Aspen to Denver the same exact way. The route takes you over the Continental Divide as you cross the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and is stunning in any season.Feb 18, 2020. Spend the evening on South Broadway, a unique block full of quirky restaurants, bars, and clubs. Both routes start out headed west from Denver on I-70. Hey Pinterest Fam! The Glenwood Springs route is a little bit longer than the Leadville route, with a total travel time of 3h30m. Evans Scenic Byway. As one of the US' busiest roads, you can expect heavy traffic at times on I-70. For about $40, you can travel all 159 miles between these two cities within 6+ hours. The best way to get from Denver to Boulder without a car is to bus which takes 42 min and costs $1 - $6. Hard to know in advance. 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 a small window where everyone from the Front Range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc. 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. drive for about 56 minutes. 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. Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. From here, it is at least another hour over Independence Pass down into Aspen. The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Additionally, the seasoned mountaineer can even trek up to the peak of Mount Elbert to reach the highest point in the state! Alternatively, you can take the bus. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. SusieLou and I are of like mind on this. 3. As a matter of fact, you could easily turn this experience into a weekend long road trip, if you make enough stops. This narrowness only lasts a mile or so. Prior to exiting off the I-70 for the last hour or so of the journey, youll find that this major highway is extremely well-kept, easy to navigate, and there will be places to stop for food or gas frequently, as this is one of Colorados most popular regions. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This small town was a major hotspot for mining and has a wild-west mystique to it, home to a few Colorado old-time legends. 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. It is a completely safe drive as long as you follow the speed limit and drive attentively! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. bus or shuttle to Denver Airport from Aspen/Snowmass? Risk Factor: The road from Aspen is not for those who fear heights. Thank you very much to all who gave their time and advice, and apologies for the slow response. As well as weekends, school vacations and the 4th of July weekend can see especially heavy traffic en route. Said Brian Penny, who blogs at ThoughtForYourPenny: "Aspen is the most overrated place I ever visited. 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. 3:44 pm arrive in Denver. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. and leave at 3:20 pm. This area, called the Roaring Fork Valley, is home to a number of beautiful mountain towns located right along this highway. Not only is it home to a showstopping ski mountain, but its fully developed downtown area is lined with world-class restaurants, high-end boutiques, and amazing art galleries. 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. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? take Independence Pass into Aspen, which is only open in warmer months. Seats have seatbelts that allow for car seats to be strapped in. Let us know in the comments! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. There is an overlook en route, where you can safely park and admire the views. The distance on the drive from Denver to Aspen is, How long is the drive from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO? Independence Pass closed for the season yesterday. While trying to digest all the advice and come up with the best plan to get to Aspen our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There is so much to do so I would allow at least 3 days for your visit. 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 . , Glenwood Springs or Twin Lakes/ Mount Elbert, Where to Stay on the Denver to Aspen Drive, Vail as it is a great alternative to Aspen. Again, the main consideration if you're planning to make the trip during the winter is snowfall. Mt. Independence Pass is usually open between Memorial Day and Labor Day depending on snowfall. 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. 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 new shuttle to take is Roaring Fork Express since as of 2022 Epic Mountain Express no longer serves shuttles to Aspen. And finally, after a Denver to Aspen scenic drive, youll have arrived in beautiful Aspen, Colorado! Private Car and Charter services available. Above all, if you love to fly over clouds from . For more information, see our privacy policy. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? Situated right in the centre of mountain town Dillon, Colorado, youll find the Dillon Reservoir, a huge fresh-water reservoir that is used year-round as a destination for all types of water sports. The drive is hilly, but in no way scary. 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. Which is better for you depends on your priorities. I'd stay at a hotel on the west side of Denver - maybe Golden area - and get a very early start on Saturday morning. Glenwood Springs or Twin Lakes/ Mount Elbert. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. It does not store any personal data. 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. 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. 24 is more visually intimidating than 91 but shorter and prettier drive. If you're into stunning mountain pass views, head south at Copper Mountain through Leadville, then west over Independence Pass. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Category `` Performance '' can even trek up to the upscale Resort of Aspen is how! Aspen are high elevation cities, some people may suffer altitude sickness called the Roaring Express! How much is the oldest, first opening in the 1880s the main consideration if you do wish. 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