We will be driving from Dayton, Ohio to Denver, Colorado this summer. Has anyone made this trip? How long did it take to drive it? Do you have recommendations regarding the route to take?

Thanks!

I have done it more than once. Get on I 70 and don't stray off of it very far.
Go north on 75 toward Vandalia, and turn west at I 70! (I lived in Dayton for 4 years, on Briar Place not far from Siebenthaler and Catalpa.)

The distance is about 1200 miles. That is a long 2 days. There are two major stumbling blocks: St. Louis and Kansas City. If you want to see a few sights along the way, you could make a 3 day trip out of it.

There is really no alternative if you want to get there the fastest way.

Thanks for the info, Bob. So, about 20 hours then? We were planning to drive straight through. Is that possible? Also--we plan to spend about 9 or 10 days on this trip. So 1 or 2 each for the drive there & back, and then the rest around Denver. Can you recommend places near Denver? Is it too far to drive to the Grand Canyon? We have never been out west, so we thought that since we will be close, we should see some of the sights. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Well, the Grand Canyon will be at least a LONG day's drive from Denver--about 12 hours. It's not very close at all. I would stick to Denver and the Rockies. Spend at least 2 days in the mountains...visit Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park, drive to Vail to see the town and take the gondola to the top of the mountain for a hike and/or a great view, spend a day hiking along a trail (there are thousands...a hotel concierge or outdoor shop can give you a recommendation), go to a Colorado Rockies game, catch an outdoor concert at Red Rock if the timing is right, visit Boulder to walk around and shop on Pearl St. There will be tons to do!

The Grand Canyon is almost another 1400 miles and driving there and back will take up most of the time you have left.

If you want a view that is similar to the Grand Canyon without all the driving then you might consider a side trip to Moab, Utah. (355 miles from Denver) Spending a couple days in Moab you can experience some of the beautiful scenic red rock area. The Green River Overlook, the Grand View over looks in Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky District) and Dead Horse State Park both offer fantasic views. Spend the second day in Arches National Park. Drive back to Denver by leaving Moab, Utah on Hwy 128.

Also on the way back you might consider driving thought Colorado National Monument and Aspen. From Aspen take the Hwy 82 over beautiful Independence Pass and come back thought Leadville, CO the highest elevation city in the US.

Don't forget the Rocky Mountain National Park!

You might not have time for everything but these are some ideas.

Utahtea

Drive it straight through? Why? Is this a vacation or a forced march?

I like to arrive in shape to enjoy my trip. Driving straight through and losing sleep is not my idea of fun.
Besides, it is dangerous.

You have gotten some excellent advice. The GC is a looooong jump from Denver.
There is a lot to see in Colorado.
Leadville is an interesting place for a slice of the old, ugly west of gold mining days. Also Ouray in the soutwest corner is beautiful.
Rocky Mountain NP is beautiful, and Trail Ridge Road over the top of the park is a fascinating, highly scenic drive.

topping

Thanks--anyone else?

From another former Daytonian -- I have to agree with Bob. Are you kidding about driving straight through? In my Dayton days we did that drive several times, usually taking three days, but once doing it in two which was OK. But the last time we did the drive straight through to Florida -- less distance, we were both wiped out for the first two days of our vacation, so what was the point of that?

Kansas City is almost in the exact middle of the trip -- about 9 hours actual driving and about 600 miles either direction. I'd stop in Kansas City for the night and stretch your legs, get some good food, and make it a micro-mini vacation on its own. I find that so much more relaxing than just stopping at a motel out on the Interstate for the night.

I also agree about forgetting the Grand Canyon. But there really is no point in changing your route coming home as opposed to going. The route is long and boring no matter how you go, so I'd stick with I-70.

If you give yourself 4 days driving there and back, you have 6 days in Colorado. What do you like to do? I would skip Denver and stop at Estes Park for 2 or 3 nights for Rocky Mtn National Park and then I'd drive further west-- Dinosaur National Monument is very interesting and a good choice if you decide to spend some time in Denver or more time in the Rockies. Otherwise I'd travel to the 4 corners area-- Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley-- these two areas of Colorado are very different and will give you a perfect introduction to the west.
-- I'd stop in St. Louis on the way and then push through Kansas (which is often breathtakingly beautiful) and stop somewhere in the middle of Kansas the night before Colorado.

I have driven that at least a couple of times--I have driven from NC more often (1600 miles). It is not a hard drive--just long. Get some books on tape. And going west you gain time which makes driving a longer distance seem easier. Driving straight through is a possibility--our kids have done it but it does wipe you out. Motels in Kansas are plentiful and cheap. I drive until I can't go further or it is getting dark (I am usually alone) and just get off for the night wherever I am. And just from a psychological point of view, don't think you are "just about to Denver" when you hit the Colorado state line--it is still another 4-6 hours!
St. Louis can be a big problem at rush hours. I have most often just driven straight through it (coming from the south to connect to I70) but I think on I70 from the east you can get on a bypass (beltway) that helps you considerably. Look at your map carefully.
Colorado is a beautiful state with LOTS to do. GC is just too far. Rocky Mountain National Park is stunning. Denver has a lot to do also. A day trip up to Vail (only a couple of hours drive) by way of Leadville would be nice. If you do want to go to Aspen (only 4 hours from Denver, 2 past Vail)
you will see a beautiful stretch of highway outside Glenwood Springs.

Let me add, if you take the beltway around St. Louis you won't see the arch. I suggest that when you return you come straight through ST. Louis and at least see it. It really is an amazing structure. It might even be that St. Louis would be the place to stay overnight on the return.

Can you give me some recommendations regarding one or two-day trips that we can take from Denver to see some sights?

Thanks!

Are you attending the BMW-CCA O'Fest?
If not, the drive is very long and US airfares are still not too bad.
All the recs are right on!
M

There are several ideas already. Go up to Rocky Mountain National Park--it's about an hour and a half from Denver. Absolutely beautiful.
Go to Vail by way of Leadville--over the mountain.
Go down to Colorado Springs and Pike's Peak.

RMNP is so awesome I would seriously considering basing yourself there - estes park for 2-3 days. Go rafting, go hiking. Spend a night in Vail. I would not be coming back to Denver every night....

Chris

Tracy -
I live in Kansas City, and have been to and through St. Louis many times. It would be a very long, tiring drive from Dayton to Denver without an overnight stop! Look to split up the trip if you can! Driving across Kansas on I-70 can be both beautiful and relaxing, or very monatonous, depending on your point of view!

To by-pass Kansas City, exit westbound I-70 to I-470 south. After several miles, it turns westbound. Stay westbound as the interstate merges with I-435 west. After several miles, stay on I-435 as it turns north on the Kansas side, then exit at I-70 west. If you'll be spending any time here, visit the Country Club Plaza, and sample our delicious bar-b-que!

To by-pass St. Louis, take I-270 west along the north side of town. However, if you want to drive right by the arch downtown, stay on I-70 west.

RMNP is a very short drive from Denver -spend a few days there if you can. Many beautiful, highly accessible spots, along with many scenic hiking trails around gorgeous mountain lakes. I recommend spending the time there rather than continuing on to the Grand Canyon - save that for another trip!
Enjoy! Dean