Colorado is home to so many picturesque places and fun sites to see. It is a great place to start a road trip, especially to connect with amazing places right along the border. From Rocky Mountain National Park to the mile high city of Denver, the following are some of the best Colorado road trips.
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Table of Contents
The Best Colorado Road Trips From Denver
Denver, Colorado to Glacier National Park, Montana
By Julia from The Cure for Curiosity
If you are looking for one of the best Colorado road trips to enjoy the natural beauty of the United States, plan a road trip from Denver to Glacier National Park. Driven directly, the drive is about 14.5 hours, but as you add in unforgettable experiences at four of the top National Parks in the US, the drive will elongate to closer to 19 hours, or 1,000 miles.
From Denver, head about an hour and a half north to Rocky Mountain National Park. Here you will find some of the best hiking in Colorado as well as stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and the chance to spot incredible wildlife, like the many herds of elk that call the park home.
Continue north to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. These two parks neighbor one another and offer very distinct qualities. At Grand Teton, you have perfectly jagged mountain peaks surrounded by plains full of wildlife. As you enter Yellowstone, you’ll encounter lots of geothermal energy and natural features, like the famous Old Faithful geyser.
Once you have explored thoroughly, it is on to your end destination, the spectacular Glacier National Park. One of the few places in the continental US where you’ll find glaciers and perfectly turquoise glacial fed lakes, Glacier National Park is unlike the other three National Parks you’ve already encountered.
While you can do this road trip in a week, it is ideal for a two week trip to allow plenty of time in each of the parks, particularly if you are a hiker. Not to mention, you’ll also find yourself stopping at plenty of overlook points to admire the stunning beauty along the way!
Denver to Telluride, Colorado
By Daria of The Discovery Nut
Telluride is a small town tucked in the box canyon in Colorado’s towering San Juan Mountains. It is a scenic destination that is renowned for its year-round outdoor opportunities, gorgeous nature and a vibrant art scene, so it’s not just skiing that brings people here (Although Telluride does have some great slopes).
Still, Telluride remains largely off-limits to tourist masses who come to Colorado’s places such as Aspen, Breckenridge or Vail because of its remote location.
There are no big commercial flights to Telluride (except for small local airlines flying here from Denver airport) and it takes about 6 hours to get here from Denver by car, which limits the number of people who come here. Thus, this is one of the best Colorado road trips.
Since the drive takes you across the whole state, there are countless options for places to stop along the way, depending on the time of year and the amount of time that you have available.
If you are traveling in summer, make sure to stop at one of the towns along Interstate-70 such as Breckinridge, Vail or Eagle. Another option is to take a slight detour to Independence Pass before arriving to Aspen.
And, if you are an outdoor enthusiast, spare a day for hiking the Blue Lakes outside of Telluride, one of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado.
Telluride visitors enjoy riding a free gondola between Telluride and Mountain Village from where you can get an amazing view of the San Juan Mountains with countless hikes and waterfalls. Downtown Telluride is home to a big art scene with several galleries and you can easily participate in one of organized tours.
Make sure to save at least 2-3 days for your stay at Telluride, if you are an avid hiker.
Denver, Colorado to Moab, Utah
By Nikki of She Saves She Travels
One of the best Colorado road trips has got to be Denver to Moab, Utah. Scenic and interesting, there’s so many things to do along the way. At about 350 miles, the road trip could technically be done in just a single day – under 6 hours. But I’d recommend at least a day in Denver, a day in Moab and a night in between.
In Denver, be sure to check out 16th Street Mall in downtown, the Denver Botanical Gardens, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, and enjoy the many breweries in micro breweries in the city.
After leaving the city, it is fun to experience a classic mountain town anytime of year. In the winter hit the slopes for skiing, in the summer visit the many hiking trails, scenic streams and of course shopping year-round. For this I recommend an afternoon in Vail or Breckenridge, right along I-70.
The next stop, and perhaps an overnight location is Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The biggest thing that brings visitors to Glenwood Springs is the natural hot springs. It’s the largest mineral hot springs in the world! You can also hike one of the many trails in Glenwood Canyon that range from less than a mile up to 9 miles in length. Grab dinner or breakfast in the downtown historic district in Glenwood Springs.
Back on the road is one more stop in Colorado before you head to Utah. Take a detour to visit the Colorado National Monument. The landscape is quite different than high in the mountains! Take the scenic road, Rim Rock Drive through the Colorado National Monument and check out up to 19 viewpoints in just 23 miles!
From there you will continue on into Utah towards Moab. It’s a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts. A hub for hiking with nearby Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park are all amazing adventures. Furthermore, outdoor adventures like paddle boarding, wineries, waterfalls and river rafting – the opportunities are endless! With so many cool things to do in Moab, you could spend a whole week there!
The Best Colorado Road Trips to Other Places
Colorado Springs to Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
By Nate of Travel Lemming
This is an easy but memorable Colorado road trip taking in the best of the state’s cities and mountains along the 140 mile drive from Colorado Springs to Rocky Mountain National Park. The three hour drive is so straightforward that it can technically be completed in a (long) day, but slowing down and stretching it out to three full days will allow you to soak it in.
Start in Colorado Springs, and be sure to check out the famous Garden of the Gods before leaving town. The site’s soaring red rocks set against the mountain range draws adventurers, climbers, hikers, and tourists looking for that iconic Colorado Instagram shot.
Next, plan a city stopover in Denver, the state’s political and cultural capital. Grab a meal in one of the restaurants in Denver’s iconic Union Station (the Kitchen Next Door is a particularly good value), and go for a stroll through the nearby historic Larimer Square. If you opt to stay a night in town, the incredible Brown Palace Hotel is a destination in and of itself.
From Denver, it’s less than two hours to the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. You can break up the drive by stopping over in Boulder for lunch or tea at the excellent Dushanbe Teahouse, whose innate Tajikistan-inspired interior evokes the feeling of being on the Silk Road.
At the national park, you will be spoiled for choice of activities and hiking trails. If you’re looking for an easy hike, the flat half mile walk to Bear Lake is a popular choice. Or, if you are more adventurous and trained in climbing, the park offers peaks that attract climbers from around the world. Whatever you do, you’re sure to fall in love with one of the most beautiful national parks, thus making this one of the best Colorado road trips!
Grand Junction, Colorado to Sedona, Arizona
Allison of She Dreams of Alpine
For one of the most fun and best Colorado road trips spending time in both the desert and the mountains, start in Grand Junction, Colorado and make your way to Sedona, AZ. While there are several different routes you can take, but heading through Telluride, Durango, and Four Corners makes for a memorable trip with plenty of outdoor adventure along the way. This route covers 575 miles and takes about 10-11 hours straight through, but it is worth spending several days (at least 3 to 5) to really explore along the way.
Before you leave Grand Junction, be sure to visit the stunning sandstone and granite canyons of the Colorado National Monument. Then drive south to Telluride, which has plenty to offer beyond skiing, including lots of trails for hiking. You definitely don’t want to miss the exciting via ferrata, where you traverse along rock walls using iron rungs and cables.
Next, continue on to south to Durango, nestled at the edge of the San Juan National Forest. Mountain biking is king here, and you’ll find over 2,000 miles of trails to enjoy. When you’re ready for some rest, hop aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a unique ride.
As you leave Colorado, make a pit stop at the Four Corners, the only place in the US where four states (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico) converge. This special spot is located on Navajo land, and the Navajo Nation manages the Four Corners Monument, where the public can visit.
Finally, drive through Arizona on the last leg of your trip to Sedona. Make sure you have some time to spend in this sandstone paradise, since the hikes in Sedona are a wonderful way to explore the gorgeous red rock formations. The variety of landscapes you will experience along this road trip is simply incredible!
The Best Colorado Road Trips from Other Places
Dallas, Texas to Breckenridge, Colorado
By Monica of Champagne on Deck
The road trip from Dallas, Texas to Breckenridge, Colorado is an 815 mile drive that takes 13 and a half hours to complete. Break this drive into two days or even three days to enjoy some of these interesting pit stops along the way. This is one of the best Colorado road trips you can take!
A little under six hours into the road trip, Amarillo, Texas makes for an entertaining place to rest. For hungry travelers, The Big Texan Steak Ranch steak house boasts a, 72 oz. steak hall of fame, creepy face changing portraits, and live music. Kids plates that double as cowboy hat souvenirs are also a nice touch.
Just another 10-15 minutes down I-40, stands the quirky Muffler Man Second Amendment Cowboy statue (exit 63) and the Cadillac Ranch (exit 60), a row of Cadillacs buried hood down in the dirt. Feel free to bring spray paint to contribute to the Cadillac’s graffiti paint jobs.
The Capulin Volcano National Monument is located in the northeastern New Mexico portion of the road trip. Here visitors can explore an extinct cinder cone volcano. There are five different hiking trails perfect for stretching those road trip anxious legs.
Nearing Breckenridge, take a moment to stop and stand on the Hoosier Pass Continental Divide. There is a 2.8 mile moderate level hiking trail that features beautiful wild flowers, a trail loop for ATVs and four wheelers, and even motorcycle friendly routes.
Finally right before pulling into Breckenridge, stop in South Park, CO. If for no other reason, stop because it is called South Park and take a photo in the wooden cut out as the characters from the South Park animated TV series. Actually now called Fairplay, this is a great place to grab groceries and supplies on the way into Breckenridge.
Phoenix, Arizona to Colorado Springs, Colorado
By Melissa of Navigation Junkie
A road trip beginning in Phoenix and ending in Colorado Springs will take you past many of the nation’s most famous sites, including three national parks, shopping, culture, and outdoor adventure! The road trip along this route is about 880 miles with 16 hours of direct driving. Of course you will want to stop and check out the many great stops along the route! To fully enjoy the route allow for at least 7-10 days, depending on how long you wish to spend at each location.
Beginning in Phoenix, your trip should begin with a stop at Desert Botanical Gardens where you can explore some of the West’s iconic plant life, go hiking in Papago Park, or visit Old Town Scottsdale. Next continue to Sedona, where you will enjoy stunning views of the famous red rock formations and enjoy shopping in the heart of Sedona.
Grand Canyon National Park is next, where you can enjoy hiking, biking, or viewing the canyon by shuttle bus. Next, continue to the Four Corners Monument and snap your photo standing in four US states at once! Heading into Colorado, stop at Mesa Verde NP and view historic cliff dwellings and see sand dunes rise above you at Great Sand Dunes NP.
Make a quick stop in Canon City to view the Royal Gorge Railroad before finishing your trip in Colorado Springs. Once in Colorado Springs, enjoy some shopping and good eats in Downtown Colorado Springs, view the stunning rock formations of Garden of the Gods, or go spring hunting in nearby Manitou Springs. Traveling from Phoenix to Colorado Springs is one of the best Colorado road trips.
Moab, Utah to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
By Kate of Our Escape Clause
Driving from Moab to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado can take just a few hours–but double the time, and you can enjoy an extra national park as well as one of the most scenic and best Colorado road trips along the way!
To complete this road trip, start in charming Moab, Utah, famously home to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. In addition to exploring the national parks, some of the best things to do in Moab include hiking to Corona Arch, watching the sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park, and exploring one of the town’s waterfalls.
From there, head toward Colorado, and start your Colorado road trip by exploring the Puebloan dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park.
After visiting Mesa Verde National Park, drive through Durango, CO (and possibly stop for a rafting trip!) before heading north along the stupendous San Juan Scenic Byway (US-550), where you’ll be treated to views of snow capped mountains and waterfalls. The route will take you right through the delightful, historic mining town of Ouray, as well as through towns like Ridgeway.
Once arriving in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, you will be able to explore a stunningly beautiful (and surprisingly uncrowded) national park in western Colorado.
This road trip as written is 278 miles, and takes roughly 5.5 hours without stops. While you can complete the road trip in a day, we recommend setting aside 1-2 days for the drive, spending one night in or near Ouray, and potentially an additional night near Mesa Verde National Park.
Although some of the best Colorado road trips make for a great vacation, the United States has many other fun road trips to take. Interested in other road trips in the United States? Make sure to visit California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Texas as they also have awesome road trip options!
