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The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

From hiking in national parks to exploring charming towns, here's what to see and do on a road trip through Colorado.

To experience the best of the U.S. via the great open road, look to Colorado. This picturesque state straddling the Rocky Mountains is home to some of the most astounding stretches of highway in the country, connecting mountain resorts and artists' colonies to pioneer towns. In short, it's the perfect place for the ultimate road trip. With that in mind, we've devised a route that hits plenty of spots that make the Centennial State so special.

Our itinerary takes you through three spectacular national parks: Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, and Great Sand Dunes. While the last one doesn't require an admission fee, the first two do ($30 per car, including entry for all passengers, for one day or $35 per car for seven days of access). As of May 24, 2024, you must reserve a timed pass to enter Rocky Mountain National Park. If you're interested in purchasing an America the Beautiful annual pass, which gets you into all U.S. national parks and federal recreational lands, check each park's website below for more information about discounts for seniors, military members, and those with permanent disabilities.

Without further ado, here's our handy guide to everything you should do on a Colorado road trip.

iStockphoto / Getty Images

Colorado's capital and biggest city is inevitably where any road trip should start. Not only is Denver home to the state's largest and busiest airport, and therefore where most travelers arrive, it also acts as a gateway from the plains in the east into the Rocky Mountains. There's plenty to do here before you start your journey: Grab some green chiles at El Taco de Mexico, explore historic Larimer Square, go to one of the city's great museums — the Denver Art Museum and Denver Museum of Nature & Science are great places to start — and perhaps buy yourself a pair of cowboy boots. Whatever you do, make sure your last activity is getting in your car and driving northwest.

Denver's smaller, more free-spirited sibling Boulder is home to the University of Colorado's main campus, which means you can expect a whole lot of restaurants and businesses catering to college students. You'll also find some sublime hiking on and around the Flatirons , an iconic formation formed by dramatic, diagonally tilted slabs of rock.

Tanya Nikolic / Travel + Leisure

Your journey northwest continues to Estes Park, the first destination on this route wholly within the Rocky Mountains. This quaint town has become a popular tourist stop, due to its proximity to some of the region's best rock climbing and mountain trails. Estes Park is also considered the jumping-off point for much of Rocky Mountain National Park , where you can easily spend several days exploring backwoods trails, finding waterfalls, and spotting wildlife. This part of the itinerary is optional, but definitely encouraged if you have the time.

Trail Ridge Road

If you're road-tripping between May and October, you're in luck. The next portion of the route contains what is considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in America: Trail Ridge Road , a switchback-saturated stretch of U.S. Highway 34 that crosses over the Continental Divide and is closed during the fall and winter. In the spring and summer, you can pass through some of the region's highest mountains. Witness the sun glinting off glaciers as you weave through dramatic passes and drive along impossibly blue ponds until you reach Grand Lake. Refuel, then it's onto the next oasis.

Glenwood Springs

The aptly named Glenwood Springs is the hot spring capital of the area, with huge natural hot springs bubbling up from the earth. It's just what you want to see after a long drive from Grand Lake, and a particularly scenic remedy for driving-related cramps. The town is located right where the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers meet, in a valley cradled by steep mountain faces.

Telluride and Ouray

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Drive a few hours from Glenwood Springs and you'll enter gold rush territory. Sure, you can try panning in the Uncompahgre or San Miguel Rivers — it's a good way to cool off, but maybe not to get rich — though the real draw in Telluride and Ouray is the history. These little mountain villages are chock-full of relics from the area's Wild West days, from museums like the Ouray Alchemist Pharmacy Museum to mining tours in Telluride. They're also both tucked away in furtive, but gorgeous, canyons. You can hit Telluride, which is larger, more bustling, and artsier (it's also home to the Telluride Film Festival ), or Ouray, which is smaller and more rustic. Either way, we're venturing south.

Mesa Verde National Park

Continuing south, you'll trade the gold rush era for more ancient times at Mesa Verde National Park . These lands in Montezuma County were once inhabited by the cliff-dwelling ancestors of the Pueblo people, who constructed homes out of the sandstone from the cliffs and mesas on which they were built. The result is extraordinarily dramatic and incredibly enlightening. While there are hundreds of these sites throughout the park, the most impressive is Cliff Palace, pictured above, which lies in the shadow of a magnificent rock arch. Check out its elaborate rooms and the decorative plasters, all of which have withstood erosion and time.

Michael Snell / Robert Harding World Imagery / Getty Images

Beginning our turn east, Durango is the first major town on the map after leaving Mesa Verde. It's a great place to stop and rest for a while, combining the laid-back charm of small-town America with a rich history rooted in its importance as a railroad hub. It has also served as the backdrop in many Hollywood Western films , and you can visit several shooting locations from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Visuals Unlimited / Getty Images

Drive three hours down Route 160 and you'll arrive in a place that feels so otherworldly, you'll feel like you're on another planet. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve seems totally incongruous with the landscape around it, but that's what makes it so enticing — towering, ivory-colored dunes up to 750 feet tall are an echo of the nearby mountains. Camping here is the move, as the effect of the clear night sky over the dunes is a popular astronomical phenomenon that must be seen to be believed.

There's no better place in Colorado to witness the awe-inspiring force of water than Cañon City, so named for the steep cliffs carved by the Arkansas River. Whether you're looking for a gentle, comfortable sightseeing experience like the Royal Gorge Route Railroad or a more extreme method like rafting, you'll find it here, in addition to plenty of wineries and restaurants where you can luxuriate after feasting your eyes.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is the last stop on your vehicular journey, and it's a bit of a doozy. Not only is this the second-largest city in the state, it's also a stone's throw from two of Colorado's most impressive natural landmarks: Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods . The first can be easily ascended by car via Pikes Peak Highway, and the views from its 14,115-foot summit are truly magnificent — they actually inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write " America the Beautiful ." The second, Garden of the Gods, is a gorgeous public park that combines strikingly red rocks with lush forest scenery.

After indulging in your outdoor activity of choice, end your trip with green chiles at King's Chef Diner and bask in the success of a road trip well spent. If you're returning to Denver to fly home, it's just an hour's drive or so north to reach the airport.

Related Articles

COtrip Planner 4+

State of colorado, designed for ipad.

• 2.8 • 537 Ratings

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Description.

The COtrip app is the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) official real-time traffic and traveler information app. The COtrip app provides statewide travel information for Colorado’s interstates, U.S. routes and state highways. It does not include information for county roads or city streets. Features: - Zoomable and mobile-friendly map display - Traffic speeds and road conditions - Real-time updates on road maintenance, construction, restrictions and road closures - Camera images and live streaming video - Trucker mode with resources specific to commercial motor vehicle operators - Winter weather conditions (seasonal) - Plow tracker - Hands-free, eyes-free feature to announce upcoming road conditions that will impact your route Please Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can decrease device battery life. Drop the Distraction The primary responsibility of every driver is the safe operation of their vehicle. While traveling, mobile communication devices should be used only when the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. Do not text and drive (it's against the law) or use this app while driving. For more information about distracted driving in Colorado and safety tips, visit https://distracted.codot.gov. Feedback We welcome your feedback on this app. Please send your suggestions, questions or concerns in an email to [email protected]. For tutorials and more information, visit COtrip.org. CDOT Privacy Policy: https://codot.gov/topcontent/privacypolicy

Version 4.7

- New Road Closures button - Default map layers for summer - Fix for error when submitting a rockfall report

Ratings and Reviews

537 Ratings

Great App… BUT

We love this app, and use it all the time! It only has one MAJOR thank you flaw! The colors on the map for road conditions are to close, and therefore, are very hard to distinguish, especially for those with vision issues. Please fix this and choose bright colors that are very different from each other for each of the road conditions. If that is done, this app immediately becomes a 5 Star App! Until then, it gets a three… Barely!

Developer Response ,

Thank you - we appreciate your comments! This feedback is helpful as we continue to improve our system.

Front Range/ West Side Story

COTrip. Org is my go to whether planning a trip or for a last minute run to Denver International Airport. Having to cross the Rockies over a high pass and a tunnel/ pass does make it interesting. Not to mention that the drive takes you through very popular ski areas (cross roads to even more of them and other outdoor destinations,) and it’s the heart of the commercial route from the eastern and western part of our nation. For all of these reasons and because of our extreme weather I use the CO trip website (and the the trip planner, now!) There have been times that weather has caused delays but we have the resource in this service to make informed decisions and arrive to our destination safely, albeit a little late. Other road conditions and closures can be monitored on the maps many layers, as well as, on cameras along the route. For all these reasons COTrip is a godsend and a very import state service. Add a thermos of coffee and appropriate sound track and I’m ready to go.

Two levels of terrible

There are two levels of terrible here. One is the app itself. The user interface designers made inexplicable choices. More importantly, CDOT’s data flow into this system makes the app mostly worthless. The timeliness, quality, and quantity of information CDOT feeds into the system of their lit road information signs, website, and app means that even a finely polished app would be useless. I get it. It’s challenging. CDOT is one thing, local dispatch another, reality on the ground yet a third. But CDOT is mostly useful as an agency for awarding various contracts (including to make an app). The actual value added by, say, having employees who can use their creativity and skills to integrate these data streams better to make CDOT’s road information system better, is close to 0. Don’t worry – CDOT can award a contract for that (to someone who doesn’t really get it).

Hi! Thank you for your comments - we are sorry to hear that your experience using the COtrip app has been a terrible one. We'd love to learn more about how you are using the app so we can get you the information you need. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are willing to chat.

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The developer, State of Colorado , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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Perfect Colorado Road Trip Itinerary: 22 Stops You Need to See

Posted on Published: June 21, 2023  - Last updated: January 5, 2024

The state of Colorado is a little bit magical. From the stunning Rocky Mountains, alpine lakes, adorable mountain towns and adventure around every corner, this state is unlike any other! Here’s an ultimate Colorado road trip guide that takes you to the top places to see and things to do in Colorado.

This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, see my  disclosures .

Colorado trip planning is no easy task – there’s so much to see and do – how do you even begin to start?!

Including all the best places to vacation in Colorado, this guide is perfect if you’re looking for a Colorado road trip. You can customize your trip based on the length of your vacation. Pick and choose from the activities and road trip stops below.

To see it all, you’d need a minimum of 3 weeks, which would be an amazing Colorado road trip! This Colorado itinerary starts and ends in cities, but let’s be honest – a visit to Colorado is meant to be explored outdoors! With some activities for winter and others for summer, spring and fall, this itinerary will work in any season.

Colorado road trip map

If you choose to do all 22 stops on this Colorado itinerary, here’s the best route to take. Depending on where you’re traveling from, you can join the loop at any point. 🙂

This Colorado road trip route starts in Boulder and ends in Denver. But if you’re flying into Colorado, it’s best to rent a car in Denver and then drive to Boulder to start your journey.

By the way, I recommend searching for a rental car with Discover Cars . It’s a free search tool that finds the best rate from all the major rental companies. I typically save 10-30% using Discover Cars !

Road trip Colorado: what to pack

Here are some road trip essentials you might want to take into consideration as you plan a trip to Colorado…

• Collapsible cooler. Perfect for traveling this cooler folds down and pops up when you need to keep food and beverages cold.
• Sunscreen and layers . No matter what time of year you visit Colorado, you’ll want to add or peel off layers as you adventure around these amazing destinations. And at this high of elevation, you’ll need sunscreen to protect your skin.
• GoPro. Take beautiful action photos and videos from your car, while hiking or sightseeing with a GoPro camera . It’s perfect for smooth videos, but also allows you to save your phone battery.
• Satellite communicator. Driving through the mountains and more remote parts of Colorado, you’ll run into a lot of the state that’s not within cell phone range. This satellite communicator allows for 2-way communication in the case of an emergency. Use it on a hiking trail, in a national park or road where there’s no cell phone service.
• Hiking gear. If you’re even thinking about stepping foot on a trail, come prepared! Proper hiking boots and moisture-wicking hiking socks , trekking poles and hiking backpack will go a long way in ensuring you’re comfortable while hiking and are adequately prepared.
• First aid kit. Keep it in your car or hiking backpack for just-in-case situations. You just never know!

Save money on travel with points: Check out the best credit card offers to save big money by using rewards points for flights and hotels. They’re so good; I regularly have 2-3 in my wallet and book most of my travel with points!

Ultimate Colorado itinerary and road trip stops

Are you ready to see the best places to vacation in Colorado and an awesome route that takes you through the state? There’s truly so many things to see and do in Colorado!

Let’s dive in!

Start in Boulder, Colorado

Recommended time: 1 day

From Denver, hop in a car and head straight to Boulder – just 45 minutes away. Boulder is known as a food scene, the place to be for cold brews, and a gateway to the mountains, Boulder is a good time.

It’s got a cute and lively downtown that seems to be busy year-round, too!

Best things to do in Boulder

• Visit Pearl Street Mall. Watch street performers, shop cute boutique stores, grab some ice cream or people watch on one of the best downtown spots in all of Colorado.
• Do a tasting at a brewery or microbrewery. Boulder has more breweries per capita than any other city in the US, so you’ll likely find a good one. 🙂 Here’s some Boulder Breweries to check out.
• Hike or climb the Flatirons. A sight to see in real life, these giant tilted rock slabs are beyond impressive. The Mesa Trail is 13 miles and will take you past the best flatirons.
• Visit Eldorado Canyon State Park. View really cool landscapes and a great spot for a picnic, hike, climb, kayaking or paddle boarding. Note: check the official website for timed entry reservation days.
• Food! With over 300 restaurants, there’s plenty to choose from! We decided on tacos on a rooftop bar after a day exploring the area…perfection!

Speaking of food, the best road trips have great snacks! Check out the 101 Road Trip Food Ideas: Best Fun and Healthy Snacks You’ll Love

Estes Park (road trip Colorado: gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park)

Estes Park, Colorado is a fun mountain town best known for y ear-round outdoor activities. From snowshoeing to skiing, hiking and zip lining, Estes Park has something for everyone.

Since Estes Park is neighbors to Rocky Mountain National Park, the scenery is pretty incredible.

If you’e up for a thrill, head over to the the Stanley Hotel. It’s one of America’s most haunted hotels and was the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining . (I honestly wasn’t brave enough for this adventure during my time in Estes Park!)

Rocky Mountain National Park and Trail Ridge Road (a Colorado itinerary favorite)

Recommended time: 1-3 days

It’s the kind of place that takes your breath away. Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful beyond measure , and a place that you could spend a week exploring without getting bored.

But since this is a Colorado road trip itinerary, let’s keep it to 1-3 days, okay?

From Estes Park to the next destination in Grand Lake, you’ll take Highway 34 right through the Park, also called Trail Ridge Road. And it’s got to be one of the most beautiful drives in the state!

So popular, that the National Park Service is now requiring timed entry reservations for a majority of the time the road is open (it’s closed during winter). This will take a bit more planning in advance, so be sure to factor this in with your Colorado trip planning.

Top things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park

• Hiking! There’s over 350 miles of hiking trails in the park – just pack your bear spray !
• Visit – or swim in – a gorgeous lake. Bear Lake, Adams Falls, or Sprague Lake are really beautiful.
• Witness the alpine tundra at the Alpine Visitor Center. We visited the park in late June and found many, many feet of snow still packed on the mountainside at the visitor center. While you’re there, make sure to hike the Alpine Ridge Trail to see the summit at 12,000 feet!

Pro tip: pack layers for Rocky Mountain National Park (my favorite travel pieces, merino wool , is perfect for this). Even if you’re just driving through for the day, at over 11,000 feet in elevation, getting out of your car is cold even in the hottest parts of summer.

Visit the quaint town of Grand Lake, during your Colorado road trip

Recommended time: 1-2 days

This picturesque town in Colorado is often overlooked by tourists – which is part of the appeal in my opinion! Grand Lake offers gorgeous lake and mountain views (it’s neighbors to Rocky Mountain National Park, after all) and is a quiet little village.

Walk the main street for little shops and restaurants. Or buy a souvenir to remember this amazing Colorado road trip adventure you’re on! Oh, and the ice cream shop in town is to die for so make sure you grab a cone while you’re there.

My favorite thing to do on Grand Lake is spend time on the water! Kayak the lakes and canals – it might just be the highlight of your trip!

Pro tip: rent kayaks, paddle boards, pedal boats or even motor boats in advance as they sell out quickly in such a small town. Grand Lake water rentals here.

Colorado road trip continued – Central Colorado

Ok, so this adventure has explored some fun parts of northern Colorado – if you choose to add them to your Colorado itinerary! More scenic spots ahead!

Hit the slopes in Keystone, CO

Get your skis or board ready to experience some of the best skiing in the country! If you love being on the snow, the Rocky Mountains in Colorado is the place to do it.

For the purposes of this article I chose Keystone, but there’s a ton of spots to ski right off I-70. Breckenridge, Aspen and Vail are popular ski resorts, too. Just make sure to rent equipment and make reservations well in advance during peak ski season.

My first (and only) snowboarding experience was in the Rocky Mountains, and I’d highly recommend it!

Beautiful Colorado road trip spot: Dillon Reservoir

Recommended time: 1/2 to 1 day

If you like water activities, Dillon Reservoir is the place to be. A huge lake with the perfect mountain backdrop, Dillon Lake is gorgeous.

Kayaking or boating, hiking or bike riding, it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. I highly recommend renting bikes and riding the trails around the lake for a unique Colorado experience!

One of the coolest things to do in Dillon is hike the Sapphire Point Overlook Trail. It’s more of a walk than a hike, and offers beautiful views of the lake. Best time to go is the middle of a sunny day with the sun overhead for truly sapphire colored water.

Be sure to head out to one of the local breweries in town for some brews, pizza or burgers to wind down the day. Such an amazing stop during this road trip Colorado!

Year-round adventure in Frisco, Colorado

Head to Frisco for all things adventure in Colorado! Of course there’s skiing, but there’s also tubing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, a dirt bike track, disc golfing, kayaking and hiking.

So basically, if you like being outdoors you’ll love Frisco! With plenty of options for accommodations and dining, this is a perfect one-day stop on an epic Colorado road trip.

Frisco is especially known as a winter destination for tubing and cross-country skiing in the winter. It’s the perfect stop for Colorado trip planning in the wintertime.

Experience Vail, Colorado

Vail, Colorado is the largest ski mountain in Colorado and it’s one of the bigger tourist spots on this list . Aside from mountain adventures, this town hosts lots of annual events and festivals, so there’s always something to do in Vail.

Vail is an excellent spot to enjoy a more luxurious side of Colorado. Find your zen at a yoga class or spa. Stay at one of the nicest resorts in all of Colorado, overlooking the gorgeous Rockies.

Head on over to Vail Village to experience for dining and shopping. Grab an ice cream cone at Sundae and walk the village.

Oh, and hit the slopes in over 5200 acres of terrain. If you’re into snowboarding or skiing, Vail is a great spot for it!

Sylvan Lake State Park (another favorite place to vacation in Colorado)

Okay, okay. This might be one of the most beautiful places in Colorado! I got the pleasure of spending a week exploring Sylvan Lake State Park a few years ago and honestly, I loved every minute of it.

If you’re looking for a more rustic vacation, try one of the cabins, yurts or campsites. Then rent kayaks or paddle boards on the lake and soak in the views!

Try the Sylvan Lake Trail or Sneve Gulch Trail for the best views of Sylvan Lake! Hiking through trails of Aspen trees is super fun, too. Just remember to pack your bear spray , hiking shoes and plenty of water.

Pro tip: if you’re planning to do any hiking in Colorado, be prepared with the right gear. These hiking shoes are my favorite and super grippy with ankle support. And trekking poles will definitely help you with those steep inclines, plus they’re compact too.

Perfect Colorado itinerary – heading west

As you transition from the jagged Rocky Mountains to the fun western part of the state, the landscape begins to change. With generally warmer weather, these destinations and activities will have you Colorado trip planning allll the places you can fit into your timeline!

Cross Hanging Lake off your bucket list

Recommended time: 1/2 day

I’ve already covered some beautiful places, and yet there’s more! Hanging Lake is one of the most uniquely gorgeous lakes in all of Colorado, and is extremely popular. Because of the beautiful lake’s allure, it’s accessible by permit only.

Schedule your hike weeks in advance during the summer months as it fills up fast. This trail is 2.4 miles round trip and it’s got a steep incline. You’re rewarded with a gorgeous view of this geologic gem! It’s so beautiful and such a unique experience, you’ll have fun crossing it off your Colorado bucket list .

Make reservations for Hanging Lake here .

Go hiking in Glenwood Canyon

Recommended time: 1/2 day to 1 day

The Glenwood Canyon area is one of my favorite spots in all of Colorado. Interstate 70 west of Denver runs along the Colorado River and both cut right through the canyon. And while the drive through the canyon is beautiful, seeing it while hiking is even better .

Best Glenwood Canyon hiking trails

• Glenwood Canyon Overlook Trail, 3.2 miles
• Glenwood Springs Boy Scout Trail, 6.2 miles
• Glenwood Canyon Trail, 14.3 miles
• Grizzly Creek Trail, 7.9 miles
• Wulfsohn Trail, 2.9 miles
• Jess Weaver Trail, 9 miles
• Doc Holiday Grave Trail, .7 miles
• Babbish Gulch, 3.2 miles
• Lookout Mountain Trail, 11 miles

Colorado itinerary continues: get hot in Glenwood Springs

The biggest thing that brings tourists to Glenwood Springs is the natural hot springs. Visit the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, which is the largest mineral hot springs in the world!

I’ve visited the hot springs in both winter and summer, and both seasons are fun. Make sure to get there early during summer and weekends, as the pool fills up quickly. Find out more about the Hot Springs Pool here .

While you’re in Glenwood Springs, make sure you check out the downtown historic district . It’s a great spot for street performers and to grab a bite to eat.

Speaking of which, I had the best tacos of my entire life at Slope and Hatch. They’ve received accolades from Travel & Leisure and Insider as one of the top taco places in the US. More on that here .

Colorado road trip with kids? Visit Fruita!

Recommended time: up to 1/2 day

The town of Fruita is relatively small, but for kids it’s an adventure land! One of the main attractions is Dinosaur Journey Museum.

It’s an interactive museum showcasing over 15,000 fossils, a dig site where kids can search for bones, visit a real paleontology lab, see robotic dinosaurs and more. My favorite is the Triceratops skull, which is possibly the largest ever found on earth.

Check out the Dinosaur Journey Museum’s Facebook page for the latest discoveries and event information.

Visit an icon: Colorado National Monument (must-do on this Colorado road trip itinerary)

By the time you drive to Colorado National Monument, Colorado, you’re no longer in the mountains – you’re in the desert! In fact, it’s one of the best stops on a Denver to Moab road trip as well!

Located near Grand Junction, on the western edge of the state, Colorado National Monument is the 2nd nationally protected on this list.

You could probably spend days exploring Colorado National Monument, but to see the highlights, make sure to take the scenic road – Rim Rock Drive . With 19 viewpoints in just 23 miles, it offers some of the best views in Colorado!

Other things to do Colorado National Monument

• Catch views of Monument Canyon
• Hike Devil’s Kitchen, 1.5 miles
• Window Rock
• Balanced Rock
• Independence Monument View
• Cold Shivers Point
• Hike the Canyon Rim Trail, 1.8 miles

Road trip Colorado – southern part of the state

While there’s simply too many good spots in Colorado to cover them all, here are the highlights of the southern part of the state. And the perfect way to loop back around to the starting point, with plenty of adventures along the way.

Let’s keep going!

Next Colorado road trip stop: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a huge park split up into 3 sections – South Rim, North Rim and East Portal. For the purposes of this Colorado itinerary, we’re going to focus on the South Rim section.

This national park is jaw-dropping beautiful, and to be honest, not for those afraid of heights! Many hiking trails and even the road is right beside steep drop offs, so use caution in this park.

One of my favorite parts of this park is the fact that it’s one of the least visited parks in Colorado. So it’s not packed with people, even during peak season! Making this park one of the best places to vacation in Colorado .

Top sights and things to do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

• Take the 7-mile South Rim Drive
• Painted Wall Overlook
• Hike Rim Rock Nature Trail, 1 mile
• Devil’s Lookout
• Pulpit Rock Overlook
• Hike Oak Flat Loop Trail, 1.3 miles
• Stay until dark and stargaze – it’s an international dark sky park!

Pro tip: if you’re planning to visit all the national parks on this list, be sure to get an annual pass – America the Beautiful pass – through the National Park Service. It allows you access to all National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands for 12 months, which is a bargain if you plan to visit 3 or more.

I’ve used mine all across Colorado, but also while hiking Avalanche Lake Trail in Glacier National Park, while visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park and underrated national monuments like Petroglyph and Bandelier in New Mexico.

Drive the Million Dollar Highway: Ouray to Silverton

Recommended time: 1 hour

If you’re looking for a scenic drive in Colorado , this is it! Highway 550 from Ouray to Silverton is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway and if you’re on the best Colorado road trip ever, this needs to be part of the journey!

You’ll experience hairpin turns, jagged cliffs, fun lookouts that will leave you breathless. And all in less than 25 miles of road!

Bonus if you take this road in the fall with the gorgeous changing leaves. It’s truly one of the best scenic drives in all of the U.S.!

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (underrated stop on this Colorado itinerary)

Home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, this place is beyond impressive! And let me tell ya, if you have some adventure in you, this is a great stop for your Colorado road trip itinerary!

One of the best things to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is sand sledding and sand boarding! Specifically designed to help you fly down sand hills, make sure you rent the right gear! Here’s more info for renting sand sleds and such .

More adventurous things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park

• Go off-roading up the scenic Medano Pass Primitive Road (4-wheel drive necessary!)
• Camp with the best view of the stars!
• Hike to Zapata Falls, 0.9 miles

This is such an underrated stop on this Colorado road trip, but a fun adventure for all ages!

White water rafting down the Arkansas River

One of my first trips I took with girlfriends was a white-water rafting adventure trip in Colorado. The Arkansas River is powerful and impressive!

There are many great options for white-water rafting in Colorado . Perhaps one of the coolest spots is taking a trip down the Arkansas River under the Royal Gorge Bridge near Canon City, Colorado.

Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the U.S. Seeing it from underneath is a whole new perspective, too! More on the bridge, here .

Back to rafting…you can take a half or whole day rafting trip . Whole day trips include lunch and typically let you experience more views of the canyon, wildlife and of course the river.

Pro tip: most rafting companies only operate May 1st – September 30th, so make sure your trip is in this window if you’re wanting to raft down a river.

More on this Colorado road trip itinerary

The last stretch of this Colorado road trip is just as fun as the rest of it! With mountain views, city activities and a few more surprises, this beautiful is continuing to steal our hearts during this epic Colorado vacation!

Hang out with giraffes at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Ranked one of the top 10 zoos in the country , the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo does not disappoint! I’ve visited the zoo multiple times and the animal interactions are unique and fun. Feeding the giraffes is a must-do in this zoo!

The zoo is open year-round and has indoor and outdoor exhibits, perfect for even a winter Colorado road trip! Just a note though – there’s lots of hills so be prepared for a good walk when visiting the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

You can enjoy as little as an hour visiting this zoo, or spend 1/2 day or more. It’s a fun spot for all ages on this road trip Colorado.

Visit Garden of the Gods (classic stop on this Colorado road trip itinerary)

No Colorado road trip is complete without a visit to Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs ! You could spend a day (or more) hiking the trails and checking out the scenery, but for this Colorado itinerary let’s keep it to a day.

For a simple hike with tons of scenery, I’d recommend the Perkins Central Garden Trail. It’ relatively flat and is about 1.5 miles. The best way to see the park is though the walking trails so plan to spend some time here checking out the scenery.

If you have a bit more time, you can hike the Siamese Twins Garden of the Gods . This scenic trail has fun views of funky rock formations, and overlooks the park and Pikes Peak.

Bonus: Garden of the Gods is free!

Colorado Springs is one of the best places to visit in August , so if you happen to be planning your adventure in late summer, you’re going to love it!

Epic views at Pikes Peak (a Colorado itinerary must-see)

Nicknamed America’s Mountain, Pikes Peak is a must-do on a trip to Colorado. With an elevation of over 14,000 feet, if you choose to drive you’ll have quite the climb!

Many people take a car up to the view point and visitor center. If you’re maybe not quite comfortable ascending 8,000 feet up from Colorado Springs, you can opt to take a guided tour .

Oh, and expect the viewpoints to be crowded. Nearly 6 million people visit Pikes Peak each year. Starting your route early in the morning may help to beat the crowds!

Pro tip: pack your layers here. I visited in the middle of summer and wasn’t as prepared as I could have been. Learn from my mistake, okay?

Book a photo shoot: The best souvenir, booking a photo shoot while traveling preserves memories of your vacation! I love Flytographer because the photo sessions are fun, easy and affordable. you can get $25 off if you book through this link or use the code SSST.

Colorado road trip – Denver

Alright so no Colorado road trip itinerary is complete without some time in Denver. There’s about a million things to do in Denver, so it can be hard to choose what to do!

Each time I’ve vacationed in Denver, I made a visit to the 16th Street Mall in downtown. It’s the perfect spot for dining, bar-hopping, shopping and people watching. An outdoor pedestrian mall, 16th street is a mile long that offers a free shuttle, stopping at every block. So hop on and off as you please.

More things to do in Denver

• Denver Botanical Gardens
• Union Station
• Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater
• Enjoy a brewery or microbrewery
• Art District on Santa Fe

As you finish your time in Denver, you can loop back up to Boulder, drive home or back to the airport to fly out. What an amazing adventure, right?!

Colorado itinerary: where will you go on your road trip?

Okay so now that you’ve seen all 22 Colorado road trip stops, which do you like best? I mean, with all the stuff to do in Colorado, you really can’t go wrong! I hope you have an amazing road trip with plenty of scenic drives too. 🙂

Comment below on which spots you think you’ll hit – I’m dying to know!

Don’t forget, if you’re planning to rent a car for this epic Colorado road trip, check out the cheap rates on Discover Cars . I typically save 10-30%, which can really add up! They search top car carriers to find the best deal, at no extra cost to you. Check rental car rates here

Related: Summer in Breckenridge: 30 Amazing Things to Do (Plus What to Know Before You Go) 26 Fun and Unique Things to Do in Dillon, CO Breckenridge Troll in Colorado: Everything You Need to Know Denver to Moab: 16 Scenic Stops You Gotta See to Believe 101 Road Trip Snack Ideas You’ll Love 15 Essentials to Pack on a Road Trip with Kids

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Sunday 25th of June 2023

I did a cross country national park road trip before the pandemic and Rocky Mountain National Park was one of my favorite parks (I made it to 22 of em' so it's saying something! :P ). I loved my time in Colorado and hope to go back again someday to visit!! Saving this for when I do!

Monday 26th of June 2023

Oh awesome Farra! Yes, RMNP is amazing. And wow what an adventure that sounded like. Hope you make it back soon!

Sunday 7th of August 2022

I have a trip coming up. 6 days to spend and a lot to cover. This list definitely helps. I have most of the spots from this list in my itinerary.

Tuesday 9th of August 2022

Oh I'm so glad to hear that Akash! I hope you have a fabulous time touring Colorado. It's such an incredible state.

Friday 23rd of July 2021

I'm going on a solo Road Trip to Colorado for 2 weeks in September. I'm so excited. Your article has given me a lot of places that I plan to hit now. I swim EVERY day, so I'm hoping to find places to swim each day of my trip. I hope that will not be hard to do. I'm an ice swimmer so if it's cold that's not an issue. Ha ha. I even plan to stay a night at The Stanley Hotel.

Sunday 25th of July 2021

Thanks so much for your comment - I'm so glad you found the post helpful! I love that you booked a night in the Stanley Hotel - such an iconic spot! I hope you have a wonderful time in Colorado!

Valerie Giacoma Wolenberg

Tuesday 22nd of June 2021

Planning a trip for August! Thanks for all the tips! Staying in Winter Park as our base.

Very cool, Valerie! You'll love Winter Park...and the rest of Colorado! Glad you found this post helpful :)

Wednesday 9th of December 2020

I've been pleased to learn about your journey with this blog post. I loved the photos that you have shared. And I am feeling fly to Colorado as soon as possible.

Friday 11th of December 2020

That's so great, Elisa. I hope you get to make it to Colorado soon :)

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Ideal 10-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (Ideas, Costs & Map)

If I had to sit down and draw up my dream US road trip itinerary, I’d have a hell of a hard time ever leaving my home state of Colorado. I’m a hopeless skiing, hiking, camping, and outdoor addict, and I can’t imagine a better setting to fire up my camper van and start exploring.

Sure, I’ve spent most of my 30-something years here, and I’m a bit biased, but that doesn’t change the cold hard facts: Colorado is packed with rich history, easy-to-find adventure, and exceptional natural beauty. It’s an incredible place to set off on the open road.

Are you thinking about a Colorado road trip of your own? You’re in luck. I’ve put together my ideal 10-day itinerary to help you maximize your journey cruising around the Centennial State. I’ve also included must-see destinations, vehicle and lodging recommendations, tips, maps, costs, and more.

Also, check out my list of road trip essentials and road trip tips posts to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure.

Keep reading, and get excited. It’s time to start planning the right way.

Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

• Ten-Day Road Trip Itinerary

Day One: Denver

Day two: boulder, day three: estes park, day four: steamboat springs, day five: glenwood springs, day six: black canyon of the gunnison, day seven: telluride, day eight: durango.

• Day Nine: Great Sand Dunes NP.

Day Ten: Buena Vista

• Additional Ideas & Destinations
• Shorter Itineraries (Four to Nine Days)
• Road Trip Planning Tips
• Final Thoughts: Colorado Road Trip

A Local’s Ultimate 10-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

Colorado Road Trip Map

Now, for the fun part.

Here’s the exact itinerary I would use if I had ten days to spend road-tripping around my home state. My route is quite ambitious — over 100 miles and about two hours of driving per day — so don’t be afraid to bend and tweak it to fit your style.

Buckle up and have fun out there.

Distance from Denver International Airport : 26 miles Driving Time : 45 minutes

I don’t consider myself much of a city boy, but if you witnessed me in my element in Denver , you might beg to differ. I never once grew bored of the place during my six years living in the Mile High City. The scores of restaurants, microbreweries, cafes, music venues, sports arenas, museums, and parks always seemed to keep me thoroughly entertained (for better or worse).

The impressive views of the Rocky Mountains beckoning on Denver’s horizon serve as a reminder that pristine wilderness is an easy escape.

You can’t road trip Colorado without spending some quality time in Denver; I won’t allow it.

Activities & Ideas Near Denver

• Ogle over incredible marine life at the Downtown Denver Aquarium
• Get tipsy on a brewery tour and sample some of Denver’s best beer
• Relax and watch a baseball game at Coors Field , the home of the Colorado Rockies
• Stroll down Larimer Square to enjoy the best of Denver’s food and drink scene
• Dance to incredible live music at Dazzle , Denver’s oldest Jazz bar

Check out my detailed one-day budget guide for Denver for a more in-depth look at my favorite activities within The Mile High City.

RV Parking: The Prospect RV Park Budget Hotel: Off Broadway B&B Mid-Range Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Luxury Hotel:  Kimpton Hotel Born

Distance from Denver : 30 miles Driving Time : 30 minutes

Some of my best childhood memories were when my parents drove my brother and me to Boulder to march up hiking trails and wander the Pearl Street Mall. These fond experiences eventually led me back to Boulder, where I spent six years socializing, exploring, and occasionally studying at the University of Colorado. Boulder and I go way back.

What I love most about Boulder is its proximity to nature. Mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing – it’s all within your backyard when Boulder’s your base camp. And much like Denver, Boulder has plenty of excellent food, nightlife, and cultural happenings to keep you busy as you pass through.

Activities & Ideas Near Boulder

• Bask in the sun and enjoy an afternoon by the Boulder Creek at the lively Eben G Fine Park
• Hike Nederland’s jaw-dropping 4th of July Trail , just a 45-minute drive from downtown
• Shop, watch street performers, and enjoy Boulder’s best restaurants on the Pearl Street Mall
• Catch some live tunes at Boulder’s most iconic music venue, The Boulder Theater
• Soak in Colorado culture at the Boulder County Farmers Market (Wednesdays and Saturdays)

Want to explore more entertaining things to do in Boulder during your Road trip? Visit Boulder’s official website .

Camping: Kelly Dahl Campground RV Parking: Boulder Area RV Site | Sign up here first for $10 off Budget Hotel: Rodeway Inn and Suites Mid-Range Hotel: Boulder University Inn Luxury Hotel:  Hotel Boulderado

Distance from Boulder : 40 miles Driving Time : One hour

Just 45 minutes from my hometown of Longmont, Estes Park has been a go-to mountain town of mine for many years. I know it quite well.

Though Estes Park has a bit of a touristy downtown — packed full of kitschy restaurants and souvenir shops — I’ve always found it to be quite endearing. But I don’t visit Estes Park for its downtown. I travel there for a completely different reason: the incredible natural beauty in every direction.

Estes Park is a gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park – 250,000 acres full of incredible hiking trails, crystal clear mountain lakes, roaming wildlife, and staggering alpine terrain. You won’t need to leave your car to soak it all in either, as the road leading up to the park entrance is among the most beautiful I’ve ever driven on.

Note: Every car entering Rocky Mountain National Park must pay a $30 entrance fee, which covers you for three days.

Activities & Ideas Near Estes Park

• Drive along the breathtaking Trail Ridge Road (Highway 34), which tops out at over 12,000 feet
• Explore over 350 miles of hiking trails in the stunning Rocky Mountain National Park
• Take a tour of the Stanley Hotel , made famous by the classic film, The Shining
• Check out how Colorado settlers lived 150 years ago at the MacGregor Ranch Museum
• Stroll the streets of Downtown Estes Park for shopping, restaurants, and more

Want to explore more entertaining things to do in Estes Park during your Road trip? Visit Estes Park’s official website .

Camping: Moraine Park RV Parking: Manor RV Park Budget Hotel: Discovery Lodge Mid-Range Hotel: StoneBrook Resort Luxury Hotel: The Ridgeline Hotel

Distance from Estes Park : 115 miles Driving Time : Two hours and 30 minutes

As I write this, I’ve only visited Steamboat Springs once, on a 2019 road trip with my mom. I’ve been ready to return ever since.

My mom and I set up base camp during our trip at the scenic Steamboat Lake State Park. We nearly inflated my two-person raft and set out on the glassy lake on a couple of different occasions, but ultimately we were far too relaxed to be bothered. We made a few visits to downtown Steamboat, filled with delicious food stops, thrift store browsing, and lazy window shopping.

The wide-open landscape surrounding Steamboat Springs is rugged and raw, and driving its sprawling country roads is like stepping back in time. Rustic ranches dot the countryside, and imposing mountains stand firmly on the horizon. Steamboat Springs is my kind of place.

Activities & Ideas Near Steamboat Springs

• Go fishing, kayaking, camping, or swimming in the pristine Steamboat Lake State Park
• Soak in the natural 100-degree geothermal pools at Strawberry Hot Springs Park
• Ride the gondola to the top of Steamboat Ski Resort for impressive views of the Yampa Valley
• Sit in on a live concert from the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra
• Enjoy a breathtaking day hike along the Fish Creek Falls Trail in Mount Zirkel Wilderness

Want to explore more entertaining things to do in Steamboat Springs during your Road trip? Visit Steamboat Springs’ official website .

Camping: Steamboat Lake State Park RV Parking: Steamboat Lake State Park Budget Hotel: The Steamboat Hotel Mid-Range Hotel: The Inn at Steamboat Luxury Hotel:  Chalet Val d’Isere

Distance from Steamboat Springs : 114 miles Driving Time : Two hours and 15 minutes

Glenwood Springs is surrounded by impressive nature, but many of my best experiences there have occurred within the town. Whether I’m poking around outdoor gear shops, cozying up on a barstool, or soaking in its hot springs, Glenwood Springs always seems to show me a good time.

Originally named ‘Defiance’ in 1880, Glenwood Springs is steeped in Wild West heritage. So, be sure to stop by the Frontier Museum , which paints a colorful picture of Glenwood Springs’ rowdy and tumultuous spirit near the turn of the 19th century.

On top of its rich history, Glenwood Springs has plenty to offer to the outdoor enthusiasts who are passing through. Mountain biking, rafting, skydiving, hiking, rock climbing, you name it – it’s all there waiting for you.

Activities & Ideas Near Glenwood Springs

• Hike along the Colorado River and through Glenwood Canyon to the picturesque Hanging Lake
• Throw back a few cold Colorado microbrews at Glenwood Canyon Brewpub
• Honor the Wild West and visit Doc Holiday’s gravesite in Linwood Cemetary
• Play a round of golf surrounded by mountains at the Ironbridge Golf Club
• Relax and soak in 16 different thermal pools at Iron Mountain Hot Springs

Want to explore more entertaining things to do in Glenwood Springs during your Road trip? Visit Glenwood Springs’ official website .

Camping: Coulter Creek  | Sign up here first for $10 off RV Parking: Ami’s Acres Campgrounds Budget Hotel:  Hanging Lake Inn Mid-Range Hotel: Hotel Denver Luxury Hotel: Hotel Colorado

Distance from Glenwood Springs : 95 miles Driving Time : Two hours

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is among the most staggeringly beautiful places I’ve ever visited.

On my first visit, I sat for hours atop the canyon, staring down at the jaw-dropping 2,000-foot walls as I sipped beer in silence. Years later, I embarked on a shin-busting (and mildly terrifying) 1.1-mile descent into the bottom of the canyon to set up camp along the Gunnison River. I spent the entire evening craning my neck up towards the same canyon walls I’d ogled a few years prior.

Though it’s not as gigantic or well-known as the Grand Canyon, I found the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to be just as impressive. It’s one of Colorado’s most magnificent feats of nature and is about as can’t-miss as they come.

Pro Tip : When stocking up on supplies, be sure to do so in Montrose – a relaxed, authentic, and outdoorsy town just a 20-minute drive from the Black Canyon.

Activities & Ideas Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison

• Camp out atop the canyon and revel in the stunning views at the North Rim Campground
• Enjoy a pleasant stroll full of gorgeous overlooks along the Warner Point Trail
• Hike the Gunnison Route Trail , a remarkably  steep descent into the bottom of the canyon
• Learn the region’s fascinating history at the Museum of the Mountain West in nearby Montrose
• Kayak, stand-up paddle, or play disc golf along the river at the Montrose Water Sports Park

Want to explore more entertaining things to do near the Black Canyon of the Gunnison during your Road trip? Visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison’s official website .

Camping: North Rim Campground (First come, first served) RV Parking: South Rim Campground (First come, first served) Budget Hotel: Briarwood Inns Mid-Range Hotel:  Hampton Inn Montrose Luxury Hotel:  Double G Guestranch

Distance from Black Canyon of the Gunnison : 78 miles Driving Time : One hour and 45 minutes

Of all the picturesque ski towns in Colorado, Telluride might be the most captivating. Surrounded by towering peaks in nearly every direction, the small town of 2,500 attracts visitors from all over the world. The endless opportunities for outdoor bliss around Telluride — hiking, mountain biking, skiing, fishing, camping — are a bit excessive. You’ll see.

Lodging in Telluride isn’t cheap by any stretch of the imagination (the “budget” hotel I’ve listed below is $176 a night!). However, budget travelers can still visit by setting up shop at Telluride Town Park Campground. Show up early, though, as sites are first-come, first-served.

Telluride’s something different, and you need to see it for yourself.

Activities & Ideas Near Telluride

• Drive Owl Creek Pass through the Cimmaron Mountains and soak in captivating views
• Set up camp in the heart of town at the Telluride Town Park Campground
• Enjoy a jaw-dropping day hike along the scenic Hope Lake Trail in Lizard Head Wilderness
• Try your hand at some of Colorado’s best fly fishing along the San Miguel River
• Sing, dance, and eat your heart out at the annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival

Want to explore more entertaining things to do in Telluride during your Road trip? Visit Telluride’s official website .

Camping: Telluride Town Park RV Parking: Ouray RV Park & Cabins (Ouray, CO) Budget Hotel:  Mountainside Inn Mid-Range Hotel: Mountain Lodge at Telluride Luxury Hotel: Lumiere with Inspirato

Distance from Telluride : 111 miles Driving Time : Two hours and 15 minutes

If I could choose one place to live on this ten-day road trip itinerary, I’d pick Durango. Durango offers some of the best skiing, hiking, and camping in the state, and the town is full of great food, rich history, live music venues, and entertaining nightlife.

I consider Durango Colorado’s cultural center west of the Rocky Mountains, and it’s not even close.

Though the route from Telluride to Durango I’m about to recommend may seem a bit indirect, take it anyway. It’ll be among the most beautiful stretches of the entire trip. Here it is:

• From Telluride, drive west on Highway 145 for 16 miles
• Turn right on Highway 62 and continue for 24 miles
• Turn right on Highway 550 (the Million Dollar Highway) and continue for 81 miles until you reach Durango

Follow this route even though Google Maps will recommend something entirely different. (Trust me.)

Activities & Ideas Near Durango

• Drive along the famed Million Dollar Highway (US 550) for, you guessed it, million-dollar views
• Walk along the Animas River Trail , a scenic nature path that cuts through the heart of town
• Hop aboard the Silverlight Express , a coal-powered train running along the San Juan Skyway
• Lace up your boots, throw on your daypack, and hike a segment of the Colorado Trail
• Enjoy prohibition-era live music and ambiance at the Diamond Belle Saloon

Want to explore more entertaining things to do in Durango during your Road trip? Visit Durango’s official website .

Camping: Lightner Creek Campgrounds & Cabins RV Parking: Alpen Rose RV Park Budget Hotel: Days Inn by Windham Mid-Range Hotel:  The Durango Downtown Inn Luxury Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton

Day Nine: Great Sand Dunes National Park

Distance from Durango : 168 miles Driving Time : Three hours and 15 minutes

At first glance, Great Sand Dunes National Park doesn’t seem real.

Wavy sheets of rolling sand that stretch for miles, backed by mammoth snow-capped mountains on the nearby horizon – How did this unreal spectacle end up out here in the middle of nowhere, anyway?

Believable or not, Great Sand Dunes National Park exists and is a must-visit on any itinerary. So, pencil in a stop and get ready to explore one of Colorado’s most mystifying places.

There’ll be no shortage of tourists, so strap on your day pack, put on your favorite hiking playlist , and trudge your way deep into the sprawling hills of sand for some well-earned solitude.

Activities & Ideas Near Great Sand Dunes National Park

• Set up at Piñon Flats Campground , your base for the Sand Dunes and the San Juan Mountains
• Four-wheel along Medano Pass Road for a bumpy and exhilarating off-road adventure
• Fly fish for Colorado mountain trout along Medano Creek or the Rio Grande River
• Strap on a sandboard and explore the dunes in the most entertaining way imaginable
• Revel in the brisk runoff from the San Juan Mountains along a day hike to Zapata Falls

Want to explore more entertaining things to do near the Great Sand Dunes National Park during your Road trip? Visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park’s official website .

Camping: Piñon Flats Campground RV Parking: Piñon Flats Campground Budget Hotel: The Sunset Inn (Alamosa, CO) Mid-Range Hotel: Mountain View Motor Inn (Fort Garland, CO) Luxury Hotel:  Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott (Alamosa, CO)

Distance from Great Sand Dunes National Park : 109 miles Driving Time : One hour and 45 minutes Distance back to Denver : 123 miles Driving Time back to Denver : Two hours and 15 minutes

Whenever I find myself near Buena Vista, I usually punish my legs on an ass-kicking ascent up one of the nearby Collegiate Peaks. This impressive collection of mountains — a 34-mile section of the Sawatch Range — includes 19 imposing summits over 13,000 feet in elevation.

Simply put, the hiking trails around Buena Vista are steep, breathtaking, and world-class.

And, if hiking isn’t your thing, Buena Vista has plenty else to offer – ATV tours, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, elk hunting , and camping (to name a few).

When all the adventure has caught up to you, head straight to the nearby Mount Princeton Hot Springs for a long, contemplative soak.

Activities & Ideas Near Buena Vista

• Set up shop near some of Colorado’s tallest mountains at the Collegiate Peaks Campground
• Conquer a 14,000-foot mountain and soak in the views on a grueling day hike of Huron Peak
• Rent an ATV and power through the backcountry trails at Chinaman Gulch
• Sample some of Colorado’s best whiskey during a quick tour of the Deerhammer Distillery
• Replenish energy and restore your balance with a soak in Mt. Princeton Hot Springs

Want to explore more entertaining things to do in Buena Vista during your Road trip? Visit Buena Vista’s official website .

Camping: Historic Ranch at Mt. Princeton | Sign up here first for $10 off RV Parking: Mt. Princeton RV Park Budget Hotel:  Topaz Lodge Mid-Range Hotel: Super 8 by Windham Luxury Hotel:  Surf Hotel & Chateau

Additional Colorado Destinations

Let’s face it. It’ll be impossible to see all Colorado has to offer on the 10-day itinerary I’ve given you. Colorado has many more beautiful places that I was forced to leave out. Check out the list below for more awe-inspiring destinations that barely missed the cut.

• Aspen – Ritzy ski town an hour south of Glenwood Springs
• Blackhawk – Casino-filled mountain town an hour west of Denver
• Breckenridge – Popular resort town for skiers an hour and a half west of Denver
• Creede – Historic mining town two hours west of the Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Crested Butte – Adventure-packed mountain town two hours east of Montrose
• Fort Collins – College town and microbrew mecca an hour north of Denver
• Grand Lake – Family-friendly mountain town an hour west of Estes Park
• Gunnison – Outdoor lovers college town an hour and 15 minutes east of Montrose
• Idaho Springs – Tourist-friendly mountain town an hour west of Denver
• Nederland – Funky and spiritual mountain town 45 minutes west of Boulder
• Ouray – Hip and lively mountain town 45 minutes north of Telluride
• Pagosa Springs – Relaxed town with hot springs an hour and 15 minutes west of Durango
• Salida – Small and endearing mountain town half an hour south of Buena Vista
• Silverton – Rugged and imposing mountain town an hour north of Durango
• Twin Lakes – Scenic camping and boating reserve half an hour north of Buena Vista
• Vail – Hip and world-renowned ski town two and a half hours west of Denver

Shorter Itineraries (4-9 Days)

While I highly recommend you set aside at least ten days for your ideal road trip, I understand that not everyone can hit the road for that long. So if time is an issue, check out my shorter suggested itineraries below and start planning your dream route.

Distance from Denver International Airport: 23 miles Driving Time: 45 minutes

Day Two: Rocky Mountain National Park

Distance from Denver: 72 miles Driving Time: One hour and 45 minutes

Day Three: Breckenridge

Distance from Rocky Mountain National Park: 130 miles Driving Time: Three hours

Day Four: Buena Vista

Distance from Breckenridge: 60 miles Driving Time: One hour and 15 minutes

Day Two: Fort Collins

Distance from Denver: 66 miles Driving Time: One hour and 15 minutes

Day Three: Steamboat Springs

Distance from Fort Collins: 157 miles Driving Time: Three hours and 15 minutes

Day Four: Vail

Distance from Steamboat Springs: 93 miles Driving Time: One hour and 45 minutes

Day Five: Blackhawk

Distance from Vail: 77 miles Driving Time: One and a half hours

Day One: Boulder

Distance from Denver International Airport: 43 miles Driving Time: 45 minutes

Day Two: Denver

Distance from Boulder: 28 miles Driving Time: 45 minutes

Day Three: Vail

Distance from Denver: 97 miles Driving Time: One hour and 45 minutes

Day Four: Glenwood Springs

Distance from Vail: 61 miles Driving Time: One hour

Day Five: Aspen

Distance from Glenwood Springs: 41 miles Driving Time: One hour

Day Six: Twin Lakes

Distance from Aspen: 23 miles Driving Time: 45 minutes

Day Two: Vail

Day three: gunnison.

Distance from Vail: 160 miles Driving Time: Three Hours

Day Four: Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Distance from Gunnison: 63 miles Driving Time: One Hour and 15 minutes

Day Five: Salida

Distance from Black Canyon of the Gunnison: 64 miles Driving Time: One Hour and 15 minutes

Day Six: Buena Vista

Distance from Salida: 25 miles Driving Time: Half an hour

Day Seven: Blackhawk

Distance from Buena Vista: 115 miles Driving Time: Two hours

Day Three: Grand Lake

Distance from Rocky Mountain National Park: 21 miles Driving Time: 45 minutes

Distance from Grand Lake: 94 miles Driving Time: Two hours

Distance from Steamboat Springs: 114 miles Driving Time: Two hours and 15 minutes

Distance from Glenwood Springs: 95 miles Driving Time: Two hours and 15 minutes

Day Seven: Salida

Distance from Black Canyon of the Gunnison: 126 miles Driving Time: Two and a half hours

Day Eight: Idaho Springs

Distance from Salida: 127 miles Driving Time: Two and a half hours

Distance from Denver: 28 miles Driving Time: 45 minutes

Day Three: Rocky Mountain National Park

Distance from Boulder: 49 miles Driving Time: One hour and 15 minutes

Distance from Rocky Mountain National Park: 137 miles Driving Time: Three hours

Distance from Vail: 28 miles Driving Time: 45 minutes

Day Seven: Ouray

Distance from Black Canyon of the Gunnison: 49 miles Driving Time: One hour

Distance from Ouray: 71 miles Driving Time: One hour and 45 minutes

Distance from Durango: 168 miles Driving Time: Three hours and 15 minutes

Tips for Planning Your Colorado Road Trip

As a passenger and driver, I’ve been going on road trips for as long as I can remember. Here are some of my best bits of wisdom to help you plan your best trip possible.

Know When to Go

While cruising around Colorado is doable at any time of the year, certain times are better than others. My favorite months to visit weather-wise are September and October – when the leaves on the trees change colors, and the air is cool and crisp.

July and August are typically Colorado’s hottest months and are best for hiking, backpacking, and camping at high altitudes. Snow is scarce during these months, even on Colorado’s tallest peaks .

Skiers and snowboarders should expect the best snow from January until March, although snowfall is impossible to predict from year to year. Driving long distances during the winter could get dicey, as the roads are more prone to snow, ice, and slush.

Book Your Lodging Early

During peak season, hotels, Airbnbs, campsites, and RV parks are known to book up well in advance. Study up, plan your trip, and reserve your accommodations ahead of time, or risk losing out on the lodging that best suits your needs.

Sign up for Hipcamp and get $10 off your first booking

Bring your hiking, camping, and backpacking gear.

Colorado offers some of the most incredible hiking, camping, and backpacking in the US. Pack your tent, boots, and other lightweight backpacking gear so you’ll be ready for any hiking or camping adventures the moment they present themselves. Camping along the way can also save you loads of money.

Download Offline Maps

Cell coverage can get spotty in the more rural parts, so I recommend downloading offline Google Maps for every region you’ll explore during your trip. These offline maps will allow you to use GPS navigation even if cell service is inconsistent or lacking altogether.

Keep Track of Special Events

Visit Colorado’s official events page to keep up with fun happenings that might pop up along your adventure. With constant music festivals, farmers markets, rodeos, art exhibits, and more – Colorado is a lively place with a heck of a lot to offer.

Start Your Days Early

You’ll likely be logging some serious miles, so rise early, brew up a strong pot of coffee, and hit the open road with an entire day ahead of you. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to make prolonged pit stops, wear out the shutter button on your camera, and bask in the Centennial State’s undeniable glory.

Don’t be Afraid to Ditch Your Itinerary

Last summer, I spent days planning a “perfect” five-day trip for my girlfriend while she was visiting from China. But about 36 hours into our journey, we realized that the trip I’d planned was moving too quickly. Eventually, we took a deep breath, scrapped the rest of the itinerary, and slowed our roll. It was the right decision.

Buy Travel Insurance

Regardless of how much effort you put into drawing up your trip, the best-laid travel plans can spiral out of control at a moment’s notice. Cover yourself with a rock-solid travel insurance policy to protect against accidents, breakdowns, theft, sickness, and injury.

WorldNomads is widely used by road trippers worldwide. I highly recommend it.

Plan Your Perfect Colorado Road Trip

So, there you have it. I’ve given you the very best information I can offer about taking your Colorado road trip. The tips, advice, and recommendations – it’s all straight from the heart of a passionate native. I hope you find it useful.

I’ve spent decades exploring this great state and hope to spend many more in the future. Colorado is a place I’ll never grow tired of, and it’s somewhere that will always spark my explorer’s spirit.

So, fire up your engine and see Colorado for yourself. Whether you’re enjoying a stroll in City Park, white water rafting in the Rio Grande, or scrambling down the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the Centennial State is bound to stir up some excitement inside you that won’t quickly fade away.

Last Updated on March 19, 2024

Noel Krasomil

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22 thoughts on “Ideal 10-Day Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (Ideas, Costs & Map)”

Sounds like an awesome itinerary. Thank you for sharing. I am planning on a solo road trip this October for about 10 days. As much as I would love to do some camping, I don’t feel like bringing all that gear with me as I want to pack a carry on only. Any suggestions on how to modify the itinerary for a solo female traveler?

Sorry for the late reply. I just got back from hiking the Colorado Trail for the last month. Give me a little time to think about an adjusted itinerary without camping and I’ll get back to you soon. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do with my blog! Take care.

Awesome write up. First one I clicked and I feel like I don’t need anymore! I was surprised there were no ghost towns on here but I am not sure how common they are to begin with. I am also hesitant to fly with all the extra weight of camping gear for luggage, I was wondering if It might be a good idea to buy a tent in colorado and ship it back to my home state.

Glad you liked the write-up! Yeah, ghost towns are usually out in the middle of nowhere and aren’t always super easy to get to. I’ll consider adding some to the list when I have some time! Thanks for the heads up.

When will you be in Colorado for your road trip? I could loan you an REI Half Dome 2 tent if you’d like.

Hi, I’m arriving in Denver on April 23rd, and I know that the weather is super unpredictable at that time of year. Should i skip RMNP and just head south? We will be there for 7 days, still trying to decide on itinerary and accommodations. Looking for great hiking and scenery, and am overwhelmed with too many options!

Hey, Christie. Thanks for reaching out! Hmmmm… you’re right about the weather here being unpredictable during April. It could be 70 degrees and sunny or it could be 25 degrees with a foot of snow. Colorado is fun like that. If the weather is decent, which it should be , I really do recommend visiting RMNP. But if there’s a spring snowstorm in the forecast, you might want to have a plan B.

In terms of hiking, there will probably be snow/ice/snowpack anywhere you go above 10,000 feet in elevation, so bring snowshoes or crampons if you want to get up high into the thin, crisp air!

What are some destinations that jump out at you for your road trip? I’d be happy to answer any more questions you may have.

This is a great list! Thanks so much for putting it together!!

I’m planning a 6-7 day road trip in the last week of May/first week of June. We’ve already explored Denver/Boulder on a previous trip so we’d focus on parks this time. Do you think the weather would be amenable for RMNP/Black Gunnison/Great Sand Dunes? Those are the main places we’d want to hit if we can. Also, we can’t decide if we should RV or rent a car –> it would be our first time RV’ing and we have to fly in so we can’t bring much camping gear. I’m just not sure how RV friendly these places are if we haven’t yet booked campsites. This late could it be more practical to stay in airbnb’s and such instead? Thanks so much if you have the chance to answer our amateur questions!

Thanks for reaching out! I’m glad you like the list.

Late-May/early-June should offer up some good weather for your particular trip, but there’s no way to be certain. At higher elevations like in RMNP and Great Sand Dunes, where you can get above 10,000 feet, snow and cold temperatures aren’t completely out of the question for that time of year. As I said, you should be good, but I would pack cold-weather clothing and be ready for snow if and when it arrives.

As far as renting an RV, I can’t give you much advice. I travel in my converted Chevy Astro Van, so I park where cars/trucks go. For this part of your question, you might be better served posting on a message board or diving deep into the National Parks Service websites.

I’m really excited you’ve chosen to explore Colorado on your upcoming road trip! I think you’re going to have a wonderful time. Please feel free to reach out to me with any more questions you might have until then.

Happy Travels!

Hey Noel, First of all, GREAT SITE! Lots to digest. I am coming out in August with my 17 yr old son for a Saturday to Saturday trip. We’re city folk but like to take vacations with some outdoor life, but comforts of hotels at night. We will land in Denver and head to a Rockies game, then the following day be ready to get out into the country. We are renting a 4WD truck to get around. Any recommendations on a trip that would not lead to a new town every night? So like, maybe Denver the 1st night, then a couple nights in Boulder, then a night or two in Estes (hitting RMNP), maybe a few nights in Breckenridge. I’m not opposed to driving 2-3 hours between stops, but Telluride, as amazing as it sounds, is just too far. Along the way we want to do some cool hikes (4-6 miles and we are ok with steeper terrain), rent an ATV for a half day, do some mountain biking one day, and maybe somewhere we could hire a fishing guide. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Nathan

Glad to hear you and your son are coming out to Colorado this August! You’re going to have a wonderful time. Definitely check out Denver/Boulder and catch a Rockies game. (Even though they’re really bad this year, Coors Field is always a good time!)

Good call on RMNP. It’s truly a gorgeous place. It will be very busy in August (peak season), so start your days early and research lesser-traveled parts of the park to avoid crowds.

For ATV riding and fishing, look into Buena Vista, Salida, and Leadville. Really cool mountain towns known for those activities that aren’t quite as touristy or expensive as Breckenridge. You’d likely have a more authentic Colorado experience in that neck of the woods, as well.

I’m not a mountain biker, but I do know lots of the ski resorts (Breck, Winter Park, Copper Mountain, etc.) will haul you and your bike up to the top of their ski runs and let you ride down. If you’re looking for a more earned experience, there are plenty of great trails in Colorado that you can find through a quick Google search.

Feel free to get in touch with me before your trip. If I’m available, I’d love to meet up with you guys and show you around Denver. (I’m living here for the summer.)

I hope this was helpful!

Hi, loved your itineraries…. we are flying in and out of Denver (6 days). Any recommendations how we can see the most in that short of a loop?

Yes, but can you tell me about your group first? Do you like city life, hiking, camping, outdoor sports, etc.?

Thank you for a great post! Thinking of renting a campervan for the first time, but I couldn’t understand if you must park it in RV parking lots? if not, what are the rules regarding where I could park it while on my road trip? Thanks again!

Thanks, Sapir! I have never parked my camper van in an official RV lot/campground in Colorado and haven’t had any issues parking it (for free) at trailheads, dispersed campgrounds, hotel parking lots, etc. I guess it all depends on how much your camper van blends in and what the regulations are around where you are planning to travel. That said, if you’re quiet, respectful, and park your van in strategic spots, you probably won’t run into any issues. Happy travels!

Thank you so much for your time and effort in creating this itinerary! I know very little about traveling and nothing about Colorado, this is a tremendous help!

You’re welcome, Hailey. Let me know how your adventure of Colorado ends up!

This is a great guide. It highlights a lot of the main destinations. One town that doesn’t get mentioned a lot is Cripple Creek. It is a neat little town with beautiful scenery, especially in the fall. Estes and Rocky Mountain National Park are the gems of Colorado and you could easily spend a few day just exploring the park.

Thanks, Josh! I need to look into Cripple Creek. Though I’ve heard about it, I’ve never visited and don’t know anything about it. I’ll add it to the list!

Hi Noel, I am looking to do a trip around July to add to my bucket list. I was interested in packing my days with as much as possible. Some things I wanted to see were: Marron Bell Lake, Garden of the Gods, Red Rocks, Rocky Mountains and if possible a natural hot spring. I love hiking, and would also like to do some sort of either sand sledding or a zip line of some sort to get the most of the views. If I did a thursday to Monday trip what would you suggest? I will rent a car and I think maybe a hotel in Denver for the first two nights but I also am wondering for the farther part of the trip maybe a hotel closer to Breckenbridge/ Aspen?

Hey, Jenna! Thanks for reaching out. I think you could definitely squeeze everything in on a Thursday to Monday trip, but you’d definitely have to do a bunch of planning ahead of time to maximize your time. Since Maroon Bells is a bit of a drive from Denver, it might not be a bad idea to get a hotel close by (or camp!) for one night. Aspen isn’t cheap, though, so you might want to look into Carbondale or Glenwood Springs. I don’t really know your trip info, so I can’t suggest an itinerary, but you can pull this off if you plan accordingly and are okay with long drives in the rental car. Good luck! Feel free to reach out to me as the trip gets closer.

I visited Snowmass and Breckenridge and had a great time hiking there. The rivers are scary. Telluride has fascinated me and I’d like to hike there. What area would you say is close to what you’d hike in the Canadian Rockies? Everything’s so expensive in Colorado. Definitely need to make it a primarily camping trip though. Congrats on your blog and happy hiking Noel.

Hey, Gord. I’m not super familiar with the Canadian Rockies, but I think sticking to SW Colorado near Telluride would be a great move. Telluride isn’t affordable, but there is tons of free camping all over the region. Check out Ridgway, Ouray, and Silverton. (Definitely look into Silverton if you want to find some dramatic landscapes.) Cheers, and happy trails!

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Travel | Explore Colorado’s electric byways on an EV…

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Travel | explore colorado’s electric byways on an ev road trip, as of february, 65% of the centennial state’s historic and scenic byways are “electrified”.

As of February, 65% of the Centennial State’s historic and scenic byways are “electrified.”

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s Scenic & Historic Byway Commission announced that 17 of Colorado’s 26 byways have electric charging stations within 100 miles. This effort is part of the Colorado Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap that was designed to help the state meet emissions numbers by making electric vehicles more practical and appealing.

It makes sense to be out and about appreciating nature while also protecting it from harmful fumes and pollution, and these charging stations are part of an eco-friendly initiative for tourists.

A Colorado Electric Byway must either have a dual-port DC fast charging station at least every 100 miles within the start and end of the byway or if the byway is under 100 miles long, the station needs to be available within 15 miles of the start or end of the byway.

In addition, nearby communities are being encouraged to install these charging stations at established places frequented by travelers, such as hotels, restaurants, and even trailheads.

The three newest Colorado Electric Byways are:

The Peak to Peak Highway between Estes Park and Black Hawk. This drive can take about three hours over 55 miles on Highway 7 to Highway 72 and then Highway 119. This mountain drive offers views galore including the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park and Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Along the way, travelers can stop in charming towns with distinct character, including Estes Park, Nederland, Allenspark, Ward, and Black Hawk.

The Mount Blue Sky Road , which despite a recent name change, is still billed as the highest paved road in North America where it tops out at 14,130 feet above sea level. This road is subject to seasonal closures and there are reservations required in summer to minimize impact (go to recreation.gov for fees and details). Along the way, you can visit Mount Goliath Natural Area, a high alpine garden managed by Denver Botanic Gardens. The byway is 28 miles long and very curvy as you ascend over 7,000 feet in elevation, so plan for at least one hour to go one way.

The Gold Belt Tour Byway is also a National Scenic Byway that takes road trippers through 131 miles of former mining camps and towns. Along the way, the road cuts through Cripple Creek, Victor, Florence, and other spots, as well as gives some stunning views of Pikes Peak, Royal Gorge, and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Check road conditions ahead of time as some stretches will require a 4 x 4 vehicle to safely pass.

The remaining nine byways will also be “electrified” in the coming years.

For a complete list of Colorado’s scenic and historic byways, go to ColoradoByways.com , and for a full list of charging stations, try Plugshare.com .

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Full closure of CO 115 on-ramp to eastbound US 50 begins June 5

Travel advisory.

Fremont County  — Starting Wednesday, June 5, the Colorado Department of Transportation will close the Colorado Highway 115 on-ramp to eastbound US Highway 50 in Penrose. Detour signage will be posted to route motorists to CO 120 to access eastbound US 50. Other detour routes do exist. The closure will be in place 24/7 until further notice during construction of the southeast portion of the new roundabout.

Traffic Impacts & Detour Route

• Starting on Wednesday, June 5, the CO 115 on ramp to eastbound US 50 will be closed, with detour routes in place
• The recommended detour route is to take CO 115 to CO 120, then head east to access eastbound US 50
• Please refer to the map below for route details
• The detour route will add approximately 10 miles and 7 minutes to travel times, depending on time of day
• Other detour routes do exist
• The closure will be in place 24/7 until further notice
• Signs and construction devices will be present to alert motorists to the ramp closure and detour routes

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

• Call the project information line at 719-507-9083
• Email the project team at: [email protected]
• Visit the project website at: https://www.codot.gov/projects/us50co115roundabout

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!

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Colorado’s Bold New Approach to Highways — Not Building Them

The state has made it harder to widen highways, and transportation officials are turning their eyes to transit.

Credit... Elliot Ross for The New York Times

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By Megan Kimble

• May 31, 2024

When Interstate 25 was constructed through Denver, highway engineers moved a river.

It was the 1950s, and nothing was going to get in the way of building a national highway system. Colorado’s governor and other dignitaries, including the chief engineer of the state highway department, acknowledged the moment by posing for a photo standing on bulldozer tracks, next to the trench that would become Interstate 25.

Today, state highway departments have rebranded as transportation agencies, but building, fixing and expanding highways is still mostly what they do.

So it was notable when, in 2022, the head of Colorado’s Department of Transportation called off a long planned widening of Interstate 25. The decision to do nothing was arguably more consequential than the alternative. By not expanding the highway, the agency offered a new vision for the future of transportation planning.

In Colorado, that new vision was catalyzed by climate change. In 2019, Gov. Jared Polis signed a law that required the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent within 30 years. As the state tried to figure out how it would get there, it zeroed in on drivers. Transportation is the largest single contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, accounting for about 30 percent of the total; 60 percent of that comes from cars and trucks. To reduce emissions, Coloradans would have to drive less.

An effective bit of bureaucracy drove that message home. After sustained lobbying from climate and environmental justice activists, the Transportation Commission of Colorado adopted a formal rule that makes the state transportation agency, along with Colorado’s five metropolitan planning organizations, demonstrate how new projects, including highways, reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If they don’t, they could lose funding.

Within a year of the rule’s adoption in 2021, Colorado’s Department of Transportation, or CDOT, had canceled two major highway expansions, including Interstate 25, and shifted $100 million to transit projects. In 2022, a regional planning body in Denver reallocated $900 million from highway expansions to so-called multimodal projects, including faster buses and better bike lanes.

Now, other states are following Colorado’s lead. Last year, Minnesota passed a $7.8 billion transportation spending package with provisions modeled on Colorado’s greenhouse gas rule. Any project that added road capacity would have to demonstrate how it contributed to statewide greenhouse gas reduction targets. Maryland is considering similar legislation , as is New York .

“We’re now hoping that there’s some kind of domino effect,” said Ben Holland, a manager at RMI, a national sustainability nonprofit. “We really regard the Colorado rule as the gold standard for how states should address transportation climate strategy.”

That won’t be easy. States have almost unilateral power to determine how billions of dollars in federal transportation funding is spent. A recent analysis showed that more than half of $1.2 trillion enabled by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 will be spent on highway expansion and resurfacing.

“In order to fundamentally change how most federal transportation dollars are spent,” said Shoshana Lew, the executive director of Colorado’s transportation agency, “you have to get into the network of state D.O.T.s.”

In other words, the people most likely to reduce cars on the road are the ones who have long prioritized them.

More lanes, more cars, more greenhouse gasses

People have been fighting highway expansions for as long as there have been highways. In recent years, activists in Houston, Los Angeles and Portland, Ore., have fought widenings, arguing that the increased exhaust would worsen air pollution and exacerbate high rates of asthma in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods.

In Denver, a fight started in 2014 when the transportation department announced a plan to triple the width of Interstate 70, which runs through majority Hispanic neighborhoods in North Denver. Growing up, Ean Tafoya would stand in his front yard, in the shade of a century-old maple tree, and look north at the highway’s elevated lanes. Beyond the highway, a smokestack at a nearby oil refinery billowed toxins. His neighborhood was among the most polluted in America, and residents experienced significantly higher rates of respiratory diseases than those elsewhere in Denver.

Mr. Tafoya was working for the City Council when he heard about the plan to expand the highway just blocks from where his mother still lived. “I-70 radicalized me,” he said. He quit his job and helped organize a statewide coalition of activists and community members who tried to stop the Interstate 70 expansion with lawsuits and protests. In the end, Interstate 70 was expanded. But the fight served as a warning to leaders like Ms. Lew that future highway construction would face spirited opposition.

At the same time, a larger reckoning with how transportation decisions affect greenhouse gas emissions was playing out.

The basic principle linking wider highways to more carbon emissions has been well understood since the 1960s. Back then, an economist rebutted the prevailing assumption that adding lanes would fix traffic, showing instead that wider roads only increased the number of cars and made congestion worse. This phenomenon came to be called “ induced demand .”

State transportation departments nonetheless consistently underestimate how highway expansion leads to more driving. In 2019, a team led by Susan Handy, a professor of environmental science at the University of California, Davis, developed an induced demand calculator to help others translate how specific expansions led to more cars on the road.

In Colorado, Mr. Holland and several other climate activists used Dr. Handy’s calculator to do more than measure increased driving. In 2021, they modeled the greenhouse gas effects of all the projects in the state transportation’s agency’s 10-year plan, which included more than 175 miles of lanes added to highways. They found that the projects could increase annual greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 70,000 more cars and trucks on the road.

The transportation agency disputed the figure, but the calculation nonetheless changed the conversation, Mr. Holland said. Until that point, “nobody was actually putting real emissions numbers behind highway expansion,” he said. The analysis galvanized climate activists, who had largely left highway fights to people like Mr. Tafoya, those living in communities directly affected by expansion.

In June 2021, when Governor Polis signed a $5.4 billion transportation funding bill, it included a requirement that the Transportation Commission of Colorado, which oversees CDOT, make a plan to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. Other states had tried to reduce emissions from transportation, but with little effect because there were few consequences for failing to do so. Activists in Colorado were determined that this rule would be different.

Mr. Tafoya, who was by then the Colorado director of a national advocacy group called GreenLatinos, showed up to the transportation commission’s monthly meetings and submitted detailed comments on the draft rule. When it passed in December 2021, the rule contained the forceful incentive tying emissions targets to funding.

Six months after the rule passed, on a hazy morning in June 2022, advocates gathered in a bike lane with Interstate 25 thrumming behind them and asked CDOT not to widen the highway. This time, they had leverage.

Why electric cars aren’t enough

If every car on the road were battery-powered and those batteries were charged entirely by renewable energy, transportation emissions would be close to zero. But the average car on the road is 12 years old, meaning that every gas-powered car sold today will emit carbon for at least another decade. And even though President Biden’s administration has invested tens of billions of dollars to stimulate electric vehicle production and infrastructure, electric cars accounted for just under 8 percent of new cars sold in the United States last year.

“The scale of the challenge to getting a net-zero transportation system is, I think, much bigger than folks want to acknowledge,” said Costa Samaras, the director of the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University. To meet emissions targets, “ridiculously high levels of electrification” are needed, he said. “We also, at the same time, need to be building the types of communities that enable folks to move around without needing to rely on a car.”

How, exactly, to do that is the challenge now facing Colorado’s transportation department. The emissions rule does not prevent highway expansions, and several are still being planned. But the agency has begun a significant shift. When Ms. Lew was appointed in 2018, she observed that the work force “was very rooted in the old culture of highway building,” she said. “I think that actually goes part and parcel with some of the overemphasis on these big highway widening projects.”

When the proposal to widen Interstate 25 came up, Ms. Lew took several things into consideration. The “tremendous amount of controversy” that surrounded the Interstate 70 expansion — the one Mr. Tafoya had tried to stop — was one issue.

The widening was also unlikely to fix traffic: Years earlier, the agency had spent $800 million to expand another stretch of Interstate 25 in south Denver and ended up with worse congestion than before construction began.

Perhaps most important, the department couldn’t expand Interstate 25 and meet its newly mandated climate targets. “We can’t get there with electrification alone,” said Kay Kelly, CDOT’s chief of innovative mobility. The transportation agency, she said, now has to think harder about ways “that allow people to get places without a car.”

For years, Denver had been trying to build bus rapid transit , which runs more like a light rail than traditional bus service, with faster travel times and more frequent service. Then came the greenhouse gas rule, which quickened that effort by years, Ms. Lew said.

In 2022, the agency allocated $170 million for bus rapid transit in Denver and $120 million for Bustang, a statewide bus service, over the next decade. Late last year, Ms. Lew announced CDOT’s first three rapid routes, including one along 18 miles of Federal Boulevard, which runs north-south across the city, roughly parallel to Interstate 25.

“It’ll come so frequently that you won’t need to read a schedule,” said Ryan Noles, who was hired last year to lead the transportation agency’s new bus rapid transit program. Mr. Noles hopes that CDOT will break ground on the Federal Boulevard rapid bus line in 2027, with riders on board by 2030.

That won’t be soon enough to have an impact on the state’s 2030 carbon emission reduction goals, which it’s not likely to hit . Building new transportation, even without changing the course of a river, takes time. And when the new bus line is up and running, lots of people still have to change their daily habits. Reducing emissions from transportation, Ms. Kelly said, requires changing the behavior of “millions of people and dozens of decisions that they make throughout their daily lives.”

Which comes first, transit or housing?

On a bright, unseasonably warm day in January, I met Danny Katz, the executive director of the nonprofit Colorado Public Interest Research Group, near the Decatur-Federal Station, one of the busiest transit stops in Denver and a future stop on the bus rapid transit line. We walked down Decatur Street toward the South Platte River, the one that was once rerouted to accommodate Interstate 25. The sounds of construction — the slow beeps of a truck in reverse, a pile driver pounding the hard earth — filled the air. But the machines aren’t for highways; they are for housing.

Over the coming decade, tens of thousands of housing units will be built within a two-mile radius of this spot. “This is the perfect place not to widen a highway,” Mr. Katz said. If transit is going to work anywhere, he said, it’s here.

To make it possible for people to drive less, they need to live closer to where they are going. “I think where we stand now is that the real frontier is around land use,” said Will Toor, the executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, a state agency responsible for reducing emissions. Changing zoning laws to allow for more dense development could reduce emissions in Denver by 8 percent, largely by reducing the distance and frequency people have to drive, according to a 2023 study by RMI.

Governor Polis agrees. After a sweeping land use reform bill failed last year, he focused on smaller measures to increase the state’s housing supply. In May, he signed laws to create incentives for denser housing development near transit stops and to allow accessory dwelling units to be built in more neighborhoods. “Big efforts often take several years,” Mr. Polis said in an interview. “Most people don’t want to have 45-minute commutes each way. They do it out of necessity and affordability. So housing opportunities that people can afford close to job centers means less travel in a car, less emissions and less time lost in traffic.”

Housing and transportation, in other words, are intertwined. Unlike most state transportation directors, Ms. Lew did not study engineering. She has a master’s degree in American history and a background in finance. Transportation represents most of the federal investment in cities, she said. But until recently, investing in transportation largely meant following a playbook written in the 1950s, building grand concrete structures that efficiently swept cars from one side of a city to another.

No longer. In 1958, the year that Interstate 25 opened to traffic, the State Highway Department constructed the sweeping interchange connecting Federal Boulevard to Colfax Avenue and demolished more than 240 homes and businesses in the process. That project, which shaped the city for half a century, might now be undone. In March, CDOT was awarded a federal grant to remove the cloverleaf and rebuild the street grid, complete with storefronts and apartment buildings full of people. And, if Ms. Lew is successful, a rapid bus to take them where they need to go.

Should transportation planners stop prioritizing highway construction?

Megan Kimble is an independent journalist based in Austin, Texas, and the author of “City Limits: Infrastructure, Inequality and the Future of America’s Highways” (Crown 2024).

The Headway initiative is funded through grants from the Ford Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors serving as a fiscal sponsor. The Woodcock Foundation is a funder of Headway’s public square. Funders have no control over the selection, focus of stories or the editing process and do not review stories before publication. The Times retains full editorial control of the Headway initiative.

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Expect traffic as Kamala Harris gives the Air Force Academy graduation speech Thursday

If you’re headed to the Air Force Academy graduation Thursday morning — or just any place near the Academy — make sure you give yourself extra time to get there.

Besides the enhanced security to get onto campus in Colorado Springs, officials say traffic in the area will likely be heavy and delayed.

And it's only because of a lot of people trying to get to the Academy for graduation. One of those guests is Vice President Kamala Harris, who is giving the commencement speech.

Depending on how she gets to the ceremony, her motorcade could get on I-25. That would mean long delays — or complete stoppages of traffic — on the highway.

Last year, when President Joe Biden gave the commencement speech at the Air Force Academy graduation, traffic was stopped completely on I-25 both before and after his arrival and departure.

After she gives the speech, Harris will tour Peterson Space Force Base and get a briefing.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Traffic lights could be getting a new colour

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Red, amber, green – traffic lights are pretty much the same the world over, and have been for more than a century.

However, they could one day have a fourth colour added to help traffic flow around driverless vehicles, scientists have proposed.

Autonomous vehicles (AV) are still a relatively new concept, with no fully driverless cars on the road yet. In California and Arizona self-driving taxi firm Waymo has come close, achieving what is known as SAE4, of five levels. Other AVs including Teslas are also becoming popular.

Self-driving vehicles are not currently allowed on UK roads with the exception of a few trials , but could be as soon as 2026 under the Automated Vehicles Act.

All this means that soon, there will be a mix of human-steered cars and driverless vehicles mingling on the streets.

To help make this merger smoother, engineers at North Carolina State University are proposing a ‘white light’ at traffic lights, which will allow self-driving cars to help with traffic flow and let human drivers understand what is going on. 

Study lead Dr Ali Hajbabaie said idea was to tap into the computing power of the AVs themselves to figure out which vehicles are where.

‘The white phase concept incorporates a new traffic signal, so that human drivers know what they are supposed to do,’ he said. ‘Red lights will still mean stop. Green lights will still mean go. And white lights will tell human drivers to simply follow the car in front of them.’

Dr Hajbabaie and his team created a series of computer simulations that helped visualise how the new traffic light system would work. 

The concept would see AVs communicate wirelessly to each other and with the computers that control the traffic signals. When enough AVs are approaching the intersection, the new traffic light system will be activated. 

The white light would indicate to people that the AVs are coordinating their movements to move traffic through the intersection, and any non-automated vehicles would just need to follow the vehicle in front of them. 

But for the majority of the time, until almost all cars are AVs, the standard red, yellow and green lights will be used and the system will be function as it has for over a hundred years.

The researchers further expanded their work to include pedestrians, and they found that the white phase concept still improves traffic efficiency for both vehicles and pedestrians. 

A history of traffic lights

Traffic lights have a long history and first appeared more than 150 years ago, first outside the Houses of Parliament on December 10, 1868. This rudimentary version saw red and green gas lights being operated during the night, controlled by a police constable. 

Unfortunately, a few weeks later on January 2, the gas lines exploded. 

The first electric traffic lights were first installed in Ohio in 1914, and the three colour system was first used in Detroit in 1919. 

In the UK, three colour manually operated traffic lights first appeared in Piccadilly, in 1926 and automatic traffic lights appeared in Princes Square, Wolverhampton in 1927. 

He said implementing this system would improve travel time, fuel efficiency and safety for all people using the roads. 

Dr Hajbabaie said: ‘If at some point in the future we see almost universal adoption of AVs, our models suggest that delays at intersections would decrease by more than 25%.

‘More realistically, we will eventually see a lower percentage of wirelessly connected AVs on the road, but there would still be meaningful improvements in traffic time.’ 

The paper was published in the journal of Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering. 

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