The heavy traffic is between Golden and Eisenhower tunnel. Breckenridge comes in at 2,908 skiable acres across 155 runs, but it's all contained within a single ski resort, so you have more options than you might have at a single Aspen resort. Because there's limited housing, limited rentals, and limited hotels and resort space, visitors have to pay expensive prices. The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. 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. 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. However, it is definitely worth taking your time on the drive and making various stops. Steamboat is a real joy in the summer. If you really want to get the most out of your experience and see all Western Colorado has to offer, Id recommend splitting up your drive into two or three days so that you can stop in all the cool mountain towns, go on a hike or two, and take in the beautiful scenery. To: round-trip one-way. 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. 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. bus or shuttle to Denver Airport from Aspen/Snowmass? The interstate portion of The Glenwood Springs Route is a four-lane road, two in each direction, and features six gas stations. 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. Your best bet is taking an Amtrak train from Denver to Glenwood Springs, which costs about $50 in coach for 5.5 hours. These depart frequently from DEN, and will drop you at most hotels and resorts around Aspen. 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. 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. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. There's a small window where everyone from the Front Range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc. Which is better for you depends on your priorities. Georgetown . A round-trip via United Airlines takes about one hour and costs around $500 at the time of writing. And finally, after a Denver to Aspen scenic drive, youll have arrived in beautiful Aspen, Colorado! The Stairway to Heaven From the East: Hwy 285 west from Denver, Hwy 24 north, Hwy 82 west (open in nonwinter months) Each section gets better on this ascent of awesomeness. Parking is expensive, it's overly crowded, and it's filled with touristy shtick nobody actually likes." There's only one route to Aspen unless you want to drive a million extra miles. 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. Denver doesnt have a direct train route to Aspen, but you can combine rail transportation with the aforementioned options to incorporate a train ride for the journey to Aspen. driving 6 hours. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 1 hour duration; you can catch the bus on 8th street). Drive During Off-Peak Hours Timing your drive is essential when traveling from the Denver metro area west to Aspen in the winter. Above all, if you love to fly over clouds from . Thank you! The alternative route via Independence Pass is only open outside of the winter months. This narrowness only lasts a mile or so. sightseeing, breakfast, lunch, etc? day 2 driving 2.5 hours. From here, it is at least another hour over Independence Pass down into Aspen.Feb 18, 2020. My family drives from Denver to Aspen every December and this was very helpful! 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. Don't miss the carne asada tacos, pozole, and pupusas. 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. Stop for a bite to eat or a leisurely walk in Carbondale or Basalt before arriving in Aspen. There's a small window where everyone from the Front Range has pretty much departed Denver/Boulder/Golden etc. The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. Heck why not. This is the highway youll stay on for a majority of the trip, and one that will take you by many iconic Colorado towns and sights. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. From Idaho Springs, take the State Highway 103 and continue onto State Highway 5. If you purchase tickets to Aspen from other parts of the country, it is usually more expensive than flying into Denver. 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. 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. Idaho Springs. 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! From here, it is at least another hour over Independence Pass down into Aspen. Click here to browse more Aspen hotels! Our flight gets in at 7:00 AM. The Bus service is available twice a day to help you reach the destination fearlessly. 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. 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. The reservoir is also home to a world-class amphitheatre that hosts shows from a wide variety of bands and theatre companies. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. , 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. If Aspen ever stops trending, then the prices might go down a little.Oct 28, 2021. The next stop on your way to Aspen is Georgetown, CO, situated up high in the Rocky Mountains. The quickest way to travel from Denver to Aspen is of course via a private plane. If youre on a tight budget, your best bet is to take a bus from Denver to Aspen. It does not store any personal data. How much is the shuttle from Denver to Aspen? Driving from Denver to Aspen in a rental car means you'll have a mode of transport to get around once you are there. Check in, have a nice dinner, and be ready for skiing the next day. and leave at 3:20 pm. From here, it is at least another hour over Independence Pass down into Aspen. Both routes start out headed west from Denver on I-70. However, it has many amazing stops, and its open all year round. Aspen housing costs are 78.2% more expensive than Vail housing costs. https://gjairport.com/index.cfm, So you are arriving from London, that's a long travel day. Have you been on a Colorado road trip? Aspen is one of the most renowned skiing destinations in the world and an epic summer getaway for outdoor adventure, so its no surprise that it draws in thousands of visitors every single year. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 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. Roadtime to Aspen from Denver Airport (DIA) about 3 hours to each side, it depends on the season and weather conditions Denver to Aspen Distance: 240 miles Costs start from $ 619 for First-class SUV up to 3 passenger Free car seats for children less than 12 old Extra discount for groups of 8 or more persons in case of advance reservation online. Change at West Glenwood Park & Ride for the RFTA service to Aspen. We check in to our hotel in Aspen the next day, so I am looking for advice on the best way to get from Denver to Aspen on a Friday / Saturday. One of the key things to mention about this route is that there is a high risk of snow between November and February. Fly from Denver (DEN) to Gunnison (GUC) Take the bus from Spencer & Hwy 135 to Mt Crested Butte Transit Center Drive from Mt Crested Butte Transit Center to Aspen 7h 21m $223 - $434 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Denver to Aspen by bus 21 Weekly Buses 4h 47m Average Duration $17 Cheapest Price See schedules That said, it is known to be stunningly scenic no matter which route you take. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Spend the evening on South Broadway, a unique block full of quirky restaurants, bars, and clubs. 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. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Hey Pinterest Fam! The drive is gorgeous and, although you . The road features some bends, so also watch out for signs that forewarn of sharp curves. Is there a shuttle from Denver to Aspen anymore? As you say, traffic is unpredictable, though always heavy at these times. 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. As always when driving long distances and in inclement weather, make sure you have adequate fuel for your journey. 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. 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. The drive up and down the pass features lots of hairpin turns, and you'll need to pay close attention when driving, and go slow. Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula: Which Irish Drive is for You? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. This ritzy ski-resort town showcases the spirit of Colorados rustic wilderness, but with a touch of glamour. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The distance from Denver to Aspen is around 200 miles, which means that this is a relatively easy and short road trip. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Mountain weather is unpredictable, and traffic standstills are common due to the sheer number of people heading to various ski resorts for the weekend. A vacation to Aspen for one week usually costs around $1,643 for one person. You may even run into a celebrity or two! No traffic and no mountain passes. When it comes to skiable acres, Aspen comes out the clear winner. 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. 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. You can even drive up to Golden and Boulder and not encounter anything. Or, depending on when you want to be in Aspen, head out later. The nearest airport to Aspen is Aspen (ASE) Airport which is 3 miles away. 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. 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. The Independence Pass route is faster and incredibly scenic; however, it is only open in warmer months because it is steep and narrow and potentially dangerous to drive on it if theres snow on the ground. Aspen is 52.0% more expensive than Vail. And luckily, United Airlines runs half a dozen flights between these two Colorado cities every single day! The fastest bus normally takes 5h 45m. Alternatively, you can take the bus. Once you reach the West Glenwood Park and Ride, you can catch the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) bus L into Aspen. 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