dede1997

I am getting ready to drive from Atlanta to Denver (really Breckenridge) with two kids (13 and 10). I am trying to determine the best areas in which to stop at 8 hour increments. Also, what happens once you hit Kansas (to Denver)? I will be driving from about 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. daily. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

Gretchen

This is a 20 hour drive and with your schedule you are doing it in 3 days. I have driven this MANY times, admittedly without kids, but kids now have their own technology to keep them occupied. It is not a difficult drive--just have to get it done.
I am sure you might like to at least see the Arch from the road.
You will "gain" an hour een route. There are many economical hotels on I70 and nothing to particularly draw you for sightseeing, IMO.
Personally, I would make it a two day drive, pressing on the first day to maybe Kansas City and have some BBQ for dinner.
Also, be aware that once you hit the Colorado state line, you are still 6 hours from Denver!! It can fool you.

You really will want the kids to have their entertainment, and you might like an audio book. When we did do this trip with our 3 children a long time ago, it was instructive to them how LARGE our country is!!

dede1997

Thank you for the information. I don't mean to sound naive, but there are adequate gas stations all the way right? No chance of not being able to get gas?

fmpden

We are not a third country and most of the drive will be interstate road with more than adequate gas stations and rest stops.

fmpden

Gretchen is pretty good for being a non-resident but she is off on this one ------

....be aware that once you hit the Colorado state line, you are still 6 hours from Denver!!.......


Assuming your are on I-70 via Kansas City when you hit the Kansas/CO line you are only 177 miles so it is three hours at most closer to 2.5. Since you are headed to Breckenridge that adds another two hours at the most.

We use a cut off that we think is quicker. Take CO 86 off I-70 through Kiowa, Elizabeth to Castle Rock, I-25 north towards Denver, and then C470 west around Denver to I-70 and on to Breckenridge. That avoids a lot the traffic associated with I-70 around Denver. However, that is not a great route around 5pm. But then nothings is a great route at that time other than the toll road (E-470).

Second warning - Kiowa and Elizabeth along 86 are notorious for speed traps so stay under 30 when passing though those towns. Since this a little cross country with small towns, gas stations will be limited to the towns.

love2cavies

Hi---we too are prepping for our first drive out to Breck from Atlanta.(always fly nonstop). January 2017 we will be driving out with our two dogs. I'd like to get any advice you can give on this trip. When are you driving out? I've been researching and happened upon this forum....never too early to plan! Thanks much!

Keith

If you want to take a fun break while crossing Kansas, a couple of the neatest things within 20 miles of I-70 are Lucas and the Castle Rock Badlands.

Lucas is the Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas. The tiny community has a number of off beat attractions within a couple of blocks of each other. The two best known are the Garden of Eden and the Grassroots Art Center.

Castle Rock badlands is beautiful and has even more impact because it is unexpected in the relatively flat region. It is undevelped, on private land, but open to the public. It feels like you discovered it.

fmpden

You will need to watch the weather in January. There is a tendency if the snow is heavy for the wind to close I-70 around the Kansas line. And there is not much you can do about it so be prepared with water, blankets, and a little food.

Gretchen

Fmpden is of course correct--it just seems like 6 hours!! I think I got that from the time DS and DDIL drove it to Vail!!

AND there are lots of low cost motels that are very adequate along I70--along with gas!! LOL

I generally drive in 12 hour sectors to get this drive "done" and enjoy more time on the destination end. I imagine your kids have plenty of games. Get an audio tape for you. I think you will be able to stretch your driving day a little--the speeds are "up" and the traffic isn't bad.

Your night stop from Atlanta could be around Columbia, MO which is a college town. Crossing the Mississippi and the Missouri are interesting.

And right on about January. Had to stop in Goodland once because of ice and wind. which also could be my 6 hour quote!!