Best way to avoid going through Denver

[Txmachinist]

We are heading out in the morning to Burns, Co for our 2nd rifle Elk hunt and was looking for the best option to avoid going through Denver. Is the loop the best option or should we cut across somewhere? We will be pulling a small trailer. Thanks for any help!!

 

[Txmachinist]

Oh, we will be coming in on I25 from the south.

 

[go_deep]

If you show up before 6 a.m. you'll be fine, otherwise if it's after your screwed no matter where you drive.

 

[Txmachinist]

I figure it will be noon or a little after when we hit there.

 

[Triple BB]

Best part about Denver is seeing it in yer rear view mirror...

 

[SGM]

At that time it will be better to take C470 West and loop around Denver to I70. Traffic will still suck but on a lesser scale then going thru Denver.

 

[Predatore]

Ah, the classic Colorado driving question. SGM may be on to something, but I have not personally tried to bypass Denver with that west I-470 loop. Make sure there aren't any tolls there, as with the east side of the 470.

Having driven through Denver from all different directions, I have come to realize the CO network of freeways is a joke. Give yourself an extra 30min for sitting in stop-and-go traffic, and expect multiple wrecks. Coming from the south, I have always hit bad traffic around Monument or Larkspur, though that was typically Fri night or Sun evening. I've just learned to deal with it, and tune out the traffic with the radio. I am currently commuting from Fort Collins to east Denver every day, and it takes me on average 1.5 hrs each way for 65 miles. I'll be hunting about 30 miles southeast of you this weekend. Good luck with your hunt!

 

[sbluke55]

Depends on how bad you want to skip Denver. You can always turn at pueblo and take hwy 50. Then to hwy 9 just after canyon city. Take that to i70. You will pop out at frisco. Google maps says it's 17 min slower but with traffic it should be faster. Plus the view is much better.
Plus you go through FairPlay. Which is famous because of South Park the cartoon.

 

[wy-tex]

Take the loop. You may not even get an invoice for it if your state has no agreement with Colorado to share license plate info. We paid toll for 2 years then found out we didn't really have to until Wyoming made an agreement with Colorado to share plate info. Cold weather coming for the high country, snow too. Be prepared. Leave that cotton clothing at home.

 

[Winchester]

Depends on how bad you want to skip Denver. You can always turn at pueblo and take hwy 50. Then to hwy 9 just after canyon city. Take that to i70. You will pop out at frisco. Google maps says it's 17 min slower but with traffic it should be faster. Plus the view is much better.
Plus you go through FairPlay. Which is famous because of South Park the cartoon.

I've been living here awhile and that's the route I would take. Nice drive, great scenery, avoid Denver completely.

 

[Winchester]

Take the loop. You may not even get an invoice for it if your state has no agreement with Colorado to share license plate info. We paid toll for 2 years then found out we didn't really have to until Wyoming made an agreement with Colorado to share plate info. Cold weather coming for the high country, snow too. Be prepared. Leave that cotton clothing at home.

The South/Western part of the I-470 loop, where you would drive, doesn't have any toll.

 

[Shane13]

I drove through Denver in July. Stayed on I-25 and drove in the HOV toll lanes. Best $10 or so I ever spent. Traffic still sucked in areas between Colorado Springs and Denver where 25 is just 2 lanes though.

I almost just stayed on 287 out of Amarillo, up to Limon and then north on 71 to I-76 before turning west. Probably less traffic, but more slowing down through little towns. 6 of one, half a dozen of the other, I imagine.

 

[sbluke55]

I've been living here awhile and that's the route I would take. Nice drive, great scenery, avoid Denver completely.

Yep. Plus you get to skip Idaho springs and Eisenhower pass.

I'm over in grand junction and our weather report says it's going to be great. If it was predicted to snow, I would go through Denver.

 

[Txmachinist]

Depends on how bad you want to skip Denver. You can always turn at pueblo and take hwy 50. Then to hwy 9 just after canyon city. Take that to i70. You will pop out at frisco. Google maps says it's 17 min slower but with traffic it should be faster. Plus the view is much better.
Plus you go through FairPlay. Which is famous because of South Park the cartoon.

I was looking at that. Is it easily passable with a trailer? That's what I would prefer to do.

 

[sbluke55]

Shouldn't have no problems. Semi's take it. Once you get on top it's flat. Dropping down from alma to Breckinridge has some switch backs but it's not too bad.

 

[SGM]

If you take US 50 thru Canon City to CO HWY 9 then up to I70 you will have no issues with a trailer. I drive that route about twice a month with a camper and 18 foot boat. You will hit some road work between Breck and Frisco but not a big deal. Worse part is the back side of Hoosier Pass but take it slow and down shift as riding the breaks can burn them up.

 

[hoshour]

Highway 9 can be pretty steep with a lot of fairly tight curves when you get to the northern portion near Breckenridge.

It's 25 minutes longer, but with a trailer, I would be tempted to take 50 from Pueblo to Salida and then head up 24 up through the valley past Buena Vista to I-70 at Vail. I love that drive, it is just spectacular, the roads are great, with no tight curves and not that many steep grades.

 

[cmbbulldog]

At noon, you will be fine taking 470 on the western side. No tolls.

 

[Txmachinist]

Thanks guys. Headed out in the am

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[SunnyInCO]

At noon, you will be fine taking 470 on the western side. No tolls.

+1 Of Course any accidents will screw you up no mater where you are. I also believe all the repaving is complete. Another benefit is if you remember on your way in that you forgot something important you can always stop at Cabela's on I-25 at the Ridgegate exit a few miles before you exit for 470.