This article’s recommendations may include affiliate links.
Are you looking for the best ways to get from Denver to Aspen? This guide includes transportation options, routes, costs, and even a few cool suggested stops!
Aspen is one of the most renowned skiing destinations in the world and an epic summer getaway for outdoor adventure, so it’s no surprise that it draws in thousands of visitors every single year.
Although there is a small airport in Aspen, the vast majority of visitors still fly into Denver, Colorado. If you’re one of those people and wondering, “But how do I get from Denver to Aspen?” you’re in luck—this guide maps out all of your options!
Denver to Aspen Drive by Car (2 Routes)
The most popular way to get from Denver to Aspen is by car. By driving yourself from Colorado’s capital to one of its adorable mountain towns, you’ll be able to make as many stops as you’d like and even save a bit of money (in comparison to some of the other ways to get from Denver to Aspen).
When you’re ready to begin your drive from Denver to Aspen, you’ll need to choose between the two main routes: the Leadville route and the Glenwood Springs route. Read on to learn the difference between those two routes.
- Travel tip: If you’re driving roundtrip during Spring – Autumn, you can alternate your choice on the drive back from Aspen.
Driving Option #1: The Leadville Route
The Leadville route is the most popular Denver to Aspen drive thanks to its thrilling journey through Independence Pass. This option takes about 3h15m, making it the shorter of the two drives.
Where to stop along the Leadville Route from Denver to Aspen:
There’s so much to see on the drive from to Aspen. As a matter of fact, you could easily turn this experience into a weekend-long road trip, if you make enough stops.
- You can learn about the gold mining history of Idaho Springs
- Take a detour to Mt. Evans Scenic Byway
- Admire the beautiful views at Twin Lakes
What to know before taking the Leadville Route / Independence Pass
- This roadway peaks at 12,095 feet high and is only open from the end of May to October.
- Overweight and oversized vehicles are not allowed, as the roads simply cannot accommodate them. For the safest option, your best bet is to drive a vehicle with 4WD or AWD.
As mentioned, the one downside of the Leadville Route is that it’s often closed in the winter due to dangerous driving conditions. If that’s the case, you can take the Glenwood Springs Route instead.
Driving Option #2: The Glenwood Springs Route
The Glenwood Springs route is a little bit longer than the Leadville route, with a total travel time of 3h30m. However, it has many amazing stops, and it’s open all year round.
The Glenwood Springs route is also more straightforward than the Leadville route. You simply need to drive on 1-70 until you reach Glenwood Springs and then hop onto Highway 82 until you end up in Aspen.
Like the Leadville route from Denver to Aspen, the Glenwood Springs route has many breathtaking stops along the way. The first couple of stops can remain the same, like Idaho Springs and Mt. Evans Scenic Byway, but there are many new ones you can add as well.
Things to see on the Denver to Aspen drive via Glenwood Springs:
- Visit the famous skiing town of Vail (here’s an audio tour you can do on your drive there)
- Hike Sylvan Lake State Park or visit Hanging Lake
- Soak in the amazing hot springs at Glenwood Springs
FAQs about driving from Denver to Aspen
1. How much does the Denver to Aspen drive cost?
The costs of driving from Denver to Aspen vary drastically. If you’re using your own car, you’ll need to pay for gas on this 3.5 hour drive. There are no tolls, but you can always double-check using a toll calculator.
2. How to rent a car + the cost to rent a car in Denver
If you don’t have a car of your own, you can rent a car instead. The average cost of renting a car in Colorado is approximately $120 to $180 per day. Rentalcars.com is a very popular source for renting cars, and Priceline.com is reputable as well. Both sites can get you great prices.
3. Safety tips for driving from Denver to Aspen
Before heading on your Denver to Aspen road trip, it’s important to read up on Colorado driving laws, especially in the winter. The most important one to know about–for both safety and fines–is the driving traction law.
Simply put, you’ll want to make sure that your car is outfitted with winter driving tires before you head out on your adventure. We always stop by Costco to get our tires checked before heading off.
Denver to Aspen by Plane
Flight Option: DEN > ASE in 45 minutes
If you’re short on time and either have a flexible budget or have planned ahead to find the best airfares, you can travel from Denver to Aspen by plane. It takes just 45 minutes to get from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE).
And luckily, United Airlines runs half a dozen flights between these two Colorado cities every single day! Flight prices start at about $180, but they can easily reach over $1,000 depending on the demand.
To speed up your travel even more and maximize your Aspen vacation, you can travel back from Aspen to Denver the same exact way.
Denver to Aspen by Train
Train Option: Amtrak to Glenwood Springs
Denver doesn’t have a direct train route to Aspen, but you can combine rail transportation with the aforementioned options to incorporate a train ride for the journey.
Your best bet is taking an Amtrak train from Denver to Glenwood Springs, which costs about $50 in coach for 5.5 hours. Then either catch a shuttle service or $7 RFTA bus (approx. 1 hour duration; you can catch the bus on 8th street).
Denver to Aspen by Bus
Bus Option: Connecting Buses from Denver to Aspen
If you’re on a tight budget, your best bet is to take a bus to Aspen. For about $40, you can travel all 159 miles between these two cities within 6+ hours.
In order to make your way from Denver by bus, start at Denver’s Union Station. From there, you can hop aboard the CDOT Westline bus to Glenwood Springs and stay aboard for four hours until you reach Westwood Park and Ride.
But your journey isn’t over yet!
You’ll then need to catch Bus L for an additional two-hour ride into the heart of Aspen. You can get off at the popular stop at Main St. + Galena St., or you can get off at a stop that is closer to your accommodation.
Denver to Aspen by Shuttle
Shuttle Option: Epic Mountain Express
Since Aspen is such a popular vacation destination, it’s no surprise to find out that a company stepped up to provide direct transportation from Denver International Airport and Aspen (there are also several private shuttles but at a heftier price tag).
Epic Mountain Express provides daily rides between Denver and Aspen. To take this shuttle, it takes about 4 hours and costs $92 per person.
If you have extra time to spare before heading onward to Aspen, be sure to check out the plethora of fun Denver tours and activities too, and make your trip twice as fun. Many of these activities only add 4 hours to your itinerary.
How Will You Get from Denver to Aspen?
Which will you choose? There are quite a few ways to get to Aspen, and each has its perks. Regardless of how you reach your destination, I hope you have an amazing time experiencing everything that Aspen has to offer.
**If you don’t have it bookmarked already use my Aspen top activities guide and pre-made Aspen itinerary to help you plan your trip. Add that to my list of favorite Aspen restaurants, and your trip is practically planned for you!
Enjoy!
* * *
Hey Pinterest Fam!
Share this guide to Get From Denver To Aspen by pinning the image below to your planning board.
