Scary Mountain Drive?
 

Does anyone know if the drive from Estes Park to Vail is scary? I REALLY don't like the mountain driving with no guardrails

It will take you approximately 3 hours travel journey to reach your destination Vail. And it's not at all scary to believe me. You will enjoy it.

Scary is subjective but I agree with MoBro that Trail Ridge Road is not scary in good weather.

Also, in the direction you are going most of the big drops are on the other side of the road.

Not over Trail ridge road, I know that's scary, I've been on it. I would be taking Rt.7 to 72 to interstate 70

I-70 is one of the scariest roads in CO, IMO. And not because of the drop offs:)

There are some pretty silly comments being made up thread. I think they are try to mock you. Scary is always relative to your experience. I personally don't perceive Trail Ridge road as being scary but if you do I suppose I can see why. It is hard to travel in Colorado without hitting mountain roads. Very little of Colorado major roads do not have guard rails in appropriate areas. There may be some but doubt if you will be near any of them. Maybe you can make an argument that I-70 is scary solely because of traffic volume but from a design view point it is about bland as you can get -- four lanes, big shoulders, lots of guard rails, and pretty straight so the drive to Vail would be very easy. From Estes Park to I-70 via 7 and 72 will take you along the front range via Ward, Nederland, Rollin, to Idaho Springs (1-70) is a fairly typical, two lane mountain road with occasionally third lane passing. It has been a while since I was on 72 but remember it as being fairly curvy but nothing else. You will hit some construction on I-70 as they are addition some toll lanes to make it three lanes wide in some areas. Depending on your time volume on I-70 can be pretty heavy. Saturday morning west bound and Sunday afternoon east bound can be slow.

It is no big deal if you are apprehensive about driving in the mountains so just take it slightly slower. If you are blocking twenty cars, then pull over in a wide spot and let them pass. Good luck.

The big drop offs are scary and the fact that there are no guardrails. Even in Glacier National Park on Going to the sun road was better having that little foot high guardrail makes it better. It's definitely psychological. I know I'm a baby. I'm ok as a passenger, just not driving it.

But I do believe that Fmpden has given some good thoughts (and particularly that some are having a bit of fun).
Keep your eyes on the road and stay on it!! LOL
I would not miss Trail Ridge Road if you are going to RMNP and then on to Vail. Drive the road, then down the other side in a valley (Route 7?) and hit I70.

Honestly if you can't drive on I70 there is no reason to go to Colorado. I do NOT mean this to be snarky at all--realism. ;o)

Not sure who is being "silly" or mocking the OP. Certainly not me.
Rather random comment by fmpden.

I haven't been on Trail Ridge road for several years, so I don't remember the drop offs, but I think it would be a shame to miss it.

For me, driving a two-lane, winding mountainous or foothill road is "scary", because I worry about other head-on drivers wandering into my lane while they sightsee. Been there; done that.

Also, not being snarky, but I understand what Gretchen is saying. Colorado is not flat. Your tolerance for "scary" drives might be tested.