Check back for reopening dates typically around Memorial Day weekend ). Before you head to the mountains, make sure you experience all Denver has to offer. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Which islands are Recognised as Coral Island? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Parking is expensive, its overly crowded, and its filled with touristy shtick nobody actually likes. Everything in Aspen is expensive, from hotels to restaurants to Tchotchkes. The total driving distance from Vail, CO to Aspen, CO is 102 miles or 164 kilometers. There is also a new, free app "Cotrip planner". You can book your Aspen shuttle on CO West Transportations website. 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. 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. If you're into stunning mountain pass views, head south at Copper Mountain through Leadville, then west over Independence Pass. the drive, youll have to make the decision whether or not youll continue Well-located no matter what season youre visiting, they have a range of apartments that can suit everyone from couples to large families. But that's not the recommended way to go. While this is most likely from November to February, the weather in this region can be unpredictable. 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. Snacks and beverages are also served, and the service includes a complimentary 20-minute rest stop to stretch your legs. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The most popular way to get from Denver to Aspen is by car. It is about an hours drive south of the I-70 and only open in warmer months, but if you do decide to check it out, it will definitely be worth your while! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Colorado is a perfect travel destination all year round and is chock-full of amazing and unique things to see and do. The alternative route via Independence Pass is only open outside of the winter months. The Glenwood Springs Route comprises a long stretch of driving on Interstate-70 (I-70), which means a well-maintained road and plenty of stopping places. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. Your email will not be provided to third parties. 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 town of Aspen is very pleasant and has a lot of upscale boutiques, restaurants and bars to enjoy. day 2 driving 2.5 hours. 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). If you prefer a campervan or motorhome, then youll find a great selection of choices on Outdoorsy. 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. 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. Click here to view private rentals in Aspen. May 23, 2022 in model train mountain tunnel 0 . SusieLou and I are of like mind on this. 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. With a whopping four ski resorts nearby, its no wonder Aspen is famous for its skiing. Leaving Denver, you will get on I-70 west and take it all the way to Glenwood Springs. As one of the US' busiest roads, you can expect heavy traffic at times on I-70. The next stop on your way to Aspen is Georgetown, CO, situated up high in the Rocky Mountains. 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. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Rental cars can be picked up at Denver International Airport or from various outlets around the city center, depending on your starting point. Other nearby airports include Eagle (EGE) (31.6 miles), Montrose (MTJ) (75 miles), Colorado Springs (COS) (117.9 miles) and Denver (DEN) (124 miles). For the safest option, your best bet is to drive a vehicle with 4WD or AWD. Traffic will be heavy, but doable. Here are the two most common drives: Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. We would probably only go as far as Idaho Springs or Silverthorne and spend the night there before carrying on to Aspen the next day. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111526847', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane, then having a 2 hour drive sounds horrible. There are steep inclines, steep drop-offs, tight winding roads, including tight switchbacks and narrow stretches that can fit only one car at a time. 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. Which will you choose? So, a trip to Aspen for two people costs around $3,285 for one week. The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. 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. The Denver to Aspen Drive is eventful in the sense that there are lots of possible stops to make along the way. The bus from Union Station Gate B17 to Broadway & Regent Dr takes 42 min including transfers and departs every 30 minutes.6 days ago, From Denver to Breckenridge by Car From Denver, it is a beautiful one-hour-and-45-minute drive (depending on traffic and weather it can be much longer) via I-70 and Hwy 9 to Breckenridge. The distance from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a relatively easy and short road trip. 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. There is also the Epic Mountain Express/Colorado Airport Express shuttle available. next stops will vary based on which route you decide to take. Breckenridge also has five peaks, while Aspen has four. Duration: 1-2 hours. 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 :-). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. To: round-trip one-way. Click here to check their availability, Not quite what youre looking for? drive for about 24 minutes. 10 Best Stops on a Denver to Durango Drive, 2 to 3 Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, 10 Best Stops on Denver to Salt Lake City Road Trip. 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. My family drives from Denver to Aspen every December and this was very helpful! There's a reason the drive to Vail from Denver on a Friday is called "The Vail 100", because every driver is in a mad dash to get up the hills to maximize their time on the weekend. Pull over and take a few pics! Should be better in winter but who knows. drive for about 49 minutes. 1 Is the drive from Denver to Aspen scary? Reserve the best airport shuttles to Aspen hotels, resorts, and more. A round-trip via United Airlines takes about one hour and costs around $500 at the time of writing. 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. Travelling over the various mountain passes can be treacherous in the wintertime. 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. 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. The entire drive is about 28 miles and gains over 7,000 feet of elevation, so youre able to watch the landscape change before your eyes as you climb higher and higher! Glenwood Springs is a great place to stop, as it is home to the worlds largest mineral hot springs pool. Again, the main consideration if you're planning to make the trip during the winter is snowfall. It is a completely safe drive as long as you follow the speed limit and drive attentively! The vehicles come with Bluetooth, so you can listen to your own music and just soak up the gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery along the way. If you choose to continue along the I-70, drive another fifty minutes before reaching Vail, a world-famous ski destination. 95% of the highway is not the least bit scary and one of the most scenic you could ever drive. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Undoubtedly you heard about hwy 82 over Independence Pass. As you can see, Colorado is a mecca for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, and a Denver to Aspen road trip is the perfect way to get acquainted with this beautiful state. You can even drive up to Golden and Boulder and not encounter anything. Visit the famous skiing town of Vail (heres an audio tour you can do on your drive there), Hike Sylvan Lake State Park or visit Hanging Lake, Soak in the amazing hot springs at Glenwood Springs. (970) 945-7311. If you'd like to prepare further, you can virtually drive the route using Google Street View before you leave home. Choose a Route. There's a small window where everyone from the Front Range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc. Cost: Tickets start at $59 for adults and $54 for children. 10 Best Stops on the Denver to Aspen Drive via Vail. This ritzy ski-resort town showcases the spirit of Colorados rustic wilderness, but with a touch of glamour. 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). 3:44 pm arrive in Denver. The population has grown ever since, with even more restaurants and hotels popping up near the mountain road every year. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. From Union Station in downtown Denver, you will take the CDOT West Line bus (runs twice daily) west to the West Glenwood Park and Ride in Glenwood Springs. Click here to see their availability. The drive is around 200 miles and takes about four hours on the faster route. The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. Driving from Denver to Aspen in a rental car means you'll have a mode of transport to get around once you are there. Looking for other road trips from Denver? 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. For about $40, you can travel all 159 miles between these two cities within 6+ hours. The nearest airport to Aspen is Aspen (ASE) Airport which is 3 miles away. At the end of the day and the end of the road, you'll arrive back in Glenwood Springs, just in time for a meal, a drink and a soak in the hot springs. Youre not alone. Consequently we are going to either fly or drive to Aspen early on the Friday morning; or alternatively fly to Grand Junction on Friday morning, as car rental is so much cheaper there. 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. In summer, Colorado occasionally experiences wildfires. Driving from Denver to Aspen in a rental car means you'll have a mode of transport to get around once you are there. Parking is expensive, it's overly crowded, and it's filled with touristy shtick nobody actually likes." The new shuttle to take is Roaring Fork Express since as of 2022 Epic Mountain Express no longer serves shuttles to Aspen. On Saturday before 6 or after noon or you can double your commute time to silverthorne. From Idaho Springs, take the State Highway 103 and continue onto State Highway 5. 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. 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! Well-located to explore the city, there are a number of rooms available and breakfast included in the room rate. The sprawling natural hot springs consist of one large outdoor pool, and a series of smaller, hotter therapy pools that offer many health benefits. For reference I live in London and so am sadly used to sitting in grinding traffic. important events leading up to federation is the drive from denver to aspen scary on May 22, 2022 Seats have seatbelts that allow for car seats to be strapped in. Now, read on for a list of the best Denver to Aspen stops on a Colorado road trip! In order to make your way from Denver to Aspen by bus, start at Denvers Union Station. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The distance from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a relatively easy and short road trip. I have a fear of heights, and cannot drive highway 24 between Leadville and Minturn. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Munich or Frankfurt: Which German City to Visit? Aspen. It goes from Glenwood to Aspen is 4 lane all the way (except for the construction) and is 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass. However, they only lead to road closures when smoke affects visibility. Stroll through downtown Leadville and take in the beautiful old Victorian homes and buildings, local shops and quaint cafes and imagine what life must have been like here back in the late 1800s before getting back on the road. The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary. The distance on the drive from Denver to Aspen is, How long is the drive from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO? Which is the best hotel in Myrtle Beach SC? You may even run into a celebrity or two! Rental cars can be picked up at Denver International Airport or from various outlets around the city center, depending on your starting point. As you follow the speed limit and drive attentively as you follow the speed and! From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers the category `` Other how! 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