Youre not alone. If youre short on time and either have a flexible budget or have planned ahead to find the best airfares, you can travel from Denver to Aspen by plane. If you decide to go the Independence Pass route, get ready to embark on the most spectacular part of your Denver to Aspen drive! Where do you fly into for Aspen Colorado? A round-trip via United Airlines takes about one hour and costs around $500 at the time of writing. Regardless of how you reach your destination, I hope you have an amazing time experiencing everything that Aspen has to offer. 3. Your email will not be provided to third parties. The city at the geographic halfway point from Denver, CO to Aspen, CO is Lincoln, Colorado. If youre on a tight budget, your best bet is to take a bus from Denver to Aspen. Said Brian Penny, who blogs at ThoughtForYourPenny: ", The weather can be variable in May but you can always find things to do. You want to avoid leaving Denver on Friday afternoon and you want to avoid returning on Sunday afternoon. And finally, after a Denver to Aspen scenic drive, youll have arrived in beautiful Aspen, Colorado! If you are not interested in driving yourself between Denver and Aspen, you can still get there via a few other transport options, including taking a private luxury SUV transfer with a driver or taking a more affordable shuttle service. From Denver, it is about a 3-hour-and-45-minute drive to Aspen. Is South Korea safe for female Travellers? The shuttle service is your third option to cross the mighty mountains and enjoy the scary drive from Denver to Aspen. Traffic will be heavy, but doable. Mt. Typically 10 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. The best time to visit Aspen is from December to February. If you prefer a campervan or motorhome, then youll find a great selection of choices on Outdoorsy. If you're looking for relatively less expensive accommodation, Vail is the better option. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. There is also a lesser risk of rocks falling from the mountains and of mudslides in the Glenwood Canyon area. As well as weekends, school vacations and the 4th of July weekend can see especially heavy traffic en route. Theres nothing quite like an outdoor summer concert in the mountains! 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. That would put you in Aspen ideally by 9am, assuming clear roads and no accidents. My family drives from Denver to Aspen every December and this was very helpful! Holiday Inn Express Downtown Denver A great hotel if youre on the hunt for something consistent and reliable in Downtown Denver. 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. The sprawling natural hot springs consist of one large outdoor pool, and a series of smaller, hotter therapy pools that offer many health benefits. 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. Then either catch a shuttle service or $7 RFTA bus (approx. Hard to know in advance. Aspen. Whether you simply stop to stretch your legs and take in the view or choose to stay for a day or two to hike and camp, a stop in Twin Lakes is well worth your time! The other route is open year-round. For about $40, you can travel all 159 miles between these two cities within 6+ hours. 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 having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. more. 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. Which is the best hotel in Myrtle Beach SC? 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Such situations where even a minute delay could end in disaster require quick solutions; however, it's definitely super expensive. The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Nice Itinerary, The Perfect 5 to 7 Days in Finland Itinerary (Winter or Summer). Written by Carri Wilbanks Updated May 26, 2022We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). It goes from Glenwood to Aspen is 4 lane all the way (except for the construction) and is 45 miles to Aspen/Snowmass. Here are the most scenic routes for driving to Aspen. Your best bet is taking an Amtrak train from Denver to Glenwood Springs, which costs about $50 in coach for 5.5 hours. They have a number of apartment-like rooms with self-catering facilities and a number of great amenities. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Click here to browse more Aspen hotels! CO-82 is also a well-maintained four-lane road, with additional gas stations and a 55 mph speed limit. 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! 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. Get behind the biggest part of the Vail 100 and I have found it's pretty smooth sailing, albeit dark, to get up and over all of the passes. However, it has many amazing stops, and its open all year round. It's also an idea to travel with two drivers to share the load. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. However, make sure to stop at Twin Lakes, the small town situated at the base of Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado. 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. Finally, as Denver and Aspen are high elevation cities, some people may suffer altitude sickness. 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. Other nearby airports include Eagle (EGE) (31.6 miles), Montrose (MTJ) (75 miles), Colorado Springs (COS) (117.9 miles) and Denver (DEN) (124 miles). 95% of the highway is not the least bit scary and one of the most scenic you could ever drive. If you're hiring a car, make sure you request a vehicle with tire chains. Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula: Which Irish Drive is for You? Well-located to explore the city, there are a number of rooms available and breakfast included in the room rate. If making the trip between September/October and May, note that all vehicles travelling on this stretch of I-70 must adhere to traction requirements, by law, which means using snow chains, winter tires or four-wheel drive. Audi's first all electric car is set to make a spot in aspen for free test drives. Roaring Fork Express is a shared shuttle transport between Aspen and the Denver International Airport. From Idaho Springs, take the State Highway 103 and continue onto State Highway 5. 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 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. 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). The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. Driving on Independence Pass may be scary for some inexperienced and timid drivers. Something else to remember is that if you land about 3:30pm in January by the time you collect your luggage and get a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There are basically two main routes from Denver to Aspen, both are beautiful drives. Other nearby airports include Eagle (EGE) (31.6 miles), Montrose (MTJ) (75 miles), Colorado Springs (COS) (117.9 miles) and Denver (DEN) (124 miles). 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. 1 Is the drive from Denver to Aspen hard? Like, after 8pm. However, before embarking youll need to decide whether youll cut down to Independence Pass after stopping in Dillon, or if youll continue along the I-70 West to Glenwood Springs before cutting down on the CO-82 before finally reaching Aspen. Said Brian Penny, who blogs at ThoughtForYourPenny: "Aspen is the most overrated place I ever visited. by. People travel from all over the world to ski here (and not just the rich and famous). These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Georgetown . The Best Ways to Get from Denver to Aspen (cost, routes, and more), 5 Day Aspen Itinerary (Spring + Summer in Aspen, Colorado), 11 Amazing things to do in Aspen, Colorado in Summer/Spring, 12 Romantic Getaways in the US (Vacation Ideas for Couples), 10 Adorable Mountain Towns That'll Make You Actually Enjoy Winter, 15 Scenic Fall Hiking Destinations in the USA. This portion of the trip takes just under four hours. Some restaurants may be closed but Aspen will still provide great dining options. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. 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. 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! You can even drive up to Golden and Boulder and not encounter anything. 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. Epic Mountain Express used to provide daily rides between Denver and Aspen for $92 per person. Because there's limited housing, limited rentals, and limited hotels and resort space, visitors have to pay expensive prices. Click here to view private rentals in Aspen. This portion of the trip takes about one hour. Frontier also connects to take your right into Aspen Snowmass airport. 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. 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. A trip for two weeks for two people costs $6,571 in Aspen.Sep 21, 2020. Click here to browse private rentals in Vail. 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. Evans Scenic Byway. 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. The Lookout Mountain of Colorado is situated along the famous drive from Denver to Aspen. 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. P.S. As mentioned, the one downside of the Leadville Route is that its often closed in the winter due to dangerous driving conditions. Visiting Colorado and planning a Denver to Aspen drive? . There is an overlook en route, where you can safely park and admire the views. 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. I have a fear of heights, and cannot drive highway 24 between Leadville and Minturn. important events leading up to federation is the drive from denver to aspen scary on May 22, 2022 It takes just 45 minutes to get from Denver International Airport (DEN)to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE). Soak it all in. The road features some bends, so also watch out for signs that forewarn of sharp curves. Both Grand Junction Regional Airport and Denver International Airport have ample rental car facilities if you wish to drive yourself from there, or you can book a ski shuttle to Aspen - there are plenty. The drive is hilly, but in no way scary. Fitted your vehicle with tire chains or alternate traction devices in snow is a legal requirement for vehicles below 16,001 lb. Driving from Denver to Aspen in a rental car means you'll have a mode of transport to get around once you are there. State Highway 82 (SH 82) is an 85.3-mile-long (137.3 km) state highway in the U.S. state of Colorado. You could go 24 to 285 to 50 to 133 to 82 but that would take forever. The population has grown ever since, with even more restaurants and hotels popping up near the mountain road every year. Although there is a small airport in Aspen, the vast majority of visitors still fly into Denver, Colorado. I really enjoyed reading your article! By driving yourself from Colorados capital to one of its adorable mountain towns, youll be able to make as many stops as youd like and even save a bit of money (in comparison to some of the other ways to get from Denver to Aspen). The engineer will take you over the Devil's Gate Bridge and through the mountains. The nearest airport to Aspen is Aspen (ASE) Airport which is 3 miles away. For me, I would just do the drive. 4. 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