According to map, there are two routes we can take:
One is to take US-34 -> US-40 via winter park, then I-70; another one is to take US-34 -> US-40 via kremmling, then take CO-9 -> I-70. Just wondering which route is more scenic? which one takes less time and easier to drive?
Thanks in advance!

There is another route which is the one I prefer. Instead of going south out of Kremmling, take 134 over Gore Pass ending in Toponas and then south on 131 to Wolcott and I-70, just about 15 miles to Vail. Very pretty scenery and not at all difficult. The trip on Hiway 40 over Berthoud is often scary to people not used to mountain driving.

The road south of Kremmling to Silverthorne is fine, just not very scenic IMHO.

We have driven it via Kremmling, and CO 9, which is through nice open country, and is an easy drive. GJLinda's route is probably more scenic. Either one is much better than going 40 over Berthoud and down to I-70, as that's a long haul and gets pretty crowded during tourist seasons.

Thank you very much for your suggestion. They are very helpful.

Since we will fly into Denver on early morning and plan to go to RMNP for a day trip, I'm not sure if it would be doable for us to drive 3 hours to get to Vail after a long day.
If we want to stay overnight somewhere along that route, which town will you suggest?
I have checked the places in Grand lake, most of lodges there require a minimum 2-3 nights stay during that time. I also checked Grandby and Hot sulphur spring, haven't found any places interested me so far.

In Hot Sulphur Springs, check out the Riverside Hotel. It's an OLD, but quaint hotel along the Colorado River about 2 blocks from the hot springs. It's owner, Abraham, is an eccentric, but affable proprietor who is also the cook, bartender, and waiter in the attached restaurant that he and his sidekick serve good food from a small menu of specialties that changes every night.

There is also the Cliffside motel in Kremmling. It's much newer, but lacks the ambiance of the Riverside.

A word of warning:

There is no "nightlife" in either Hot Sulphur Springs or Kremmling. Kremmling does have some saloons that stay open past midnight, but this is ranchin' territory.... not the Sunset Strip.

Just sayin'.

To say there's no night life in Kremmling and Hot Sulphur Springs is putting it mildly!
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Thank you all. I don't expect we would have enough energy left for any exciting night lives after a long day(considering our flight will depart 6:50am from dallas to Denver). I have checked the Riverside Hotel. Most of its rooms don't have private bath. I guess i have to pass it. What about Canyon Motel in Hot Sulphur Springs? It has good reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Canyon Motel is OK. Nothing fancy, but clean and comfortable. Go to dinner at the Riverside, though, then for a soak in the Hot Springs......or visa versa.

A warning about the hot springs....they are not very "family friendly". They have about 20 pools on a hillside overlooking the Colorado River, but only allow children under 16 years of age into the lower 3 pools - and they're very strict with enforcement. If you have kids, your soaking is limited. If you have kids that are big enough to pass for 16, just buy them an adult pass and they shouldn't be bothered in the upper pools.

You could also stay in Granby, which is a shorter drive from Grand Lake. It's a simple town, too, but it's larger and probably has more lodging options than Kremmling or Hot Sulphur Springs. There's a lot of growth now in Granby, with new housing developments on the south side of town.
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Thank you, furledleader and MaureenB!

I thought about Granby too. But not that many reviews have been written on trip advisor site, or any other associated site I can find. Any advice would be appreciated.

There are dude ranches near Granby, one being the C Lazy U Ranch which says it accepts short stays. I don't if you want to stay just one night, but it might be worth looking into. It's a nice place.

Here's a rental agency I know that might be able to help you:
Destinations West
419 Garfield St · Grand Lake, CO 80447
970-726-8881 · 800-545-WEST · Fax: (970) 726-4534

Also, there's a search engine at this chamber website for Granby:
http://www.chambermaster.com/directory/jsp/lodging
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Thanks a lot for the info, MaureenB
! I appreciate it.