California To Colorado Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

California to Colorado road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 1,118 miles of California to Colorado drive takes around 17 hours and 13 mins without stops.

This article includes 15 top tips that turn your California to Colorado drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from California to Colorado, take your coffee and keep reading!

5 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From California To Colorado

On California to Colorado road trip, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top five hotels on California – Colorado route!

1. Best Western Plus Hill House: Best Western Plus Hill House is one of the best hotels where you can stay on a California to Colorado road trip. Driving from California to Best Western Plus Hill House might take around 1 hour and 56 mins. The Best Western Plus Hill House is a pet-friendly hotel near many popular Bakersfield attractions, including Rabobank Arena. The hotel is a short drive from many points of interest and offers complimentary continental breakfast and onsite restaurant dining options. Check the Best Western Plus Hill House, one of the best Bakersfield, California hotels, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Park MGM Las Vegas: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Colorado from California is Park MGM Las Vegas. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the hotel is 389 miles away from California, and it would take 6 hours to drive. At Bavette’s, Chef Roy Choi brings the best of LA’s food scene to the desert with a poolside restaurant that conjures the South of France. Enjoy flair without the formality at Bavette’s and savor a handcrafted cocktail at Juniper Cocktail Lounge, a bodega-style bar, and eatery. If you want to learn more about the Park MGM Las Vegas, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Best Western Plus Abbey Inn: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Best Western Plus Abbey Inn. Best Western Plus Abbey Inn is located in St. George, Utah, and it’s 511 miles away from California. You can arrive there in 7 hours and 51 mins of non-stop driving. The Best Western Plus Abbey Inn in Saint George, UT, boasts modern amenities and a thoughtfully designed interior that will set it apart from other hotels in the area. They also have an in-house fitness room, so you can stay on top of your workout routine while on the road. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Best Western Plus Abbey Inn for more information.
4. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction: If you are taking the road trip from California to Colorado, Grand Junction, Colorado is must have a place you should visit. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction is one of the best hotels in town. It is La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction, 900 miles from California, and it would take 13 hours and 20 mins to drive. The La Quinta Grand Junction Hotel is a comfortable and convenient place to stay, featuring a 24-hour front desk, express check-in/out, convenience store, pool, and complimentary breakfast. Free parking is available onsite. If you need more info about the price and availability of La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Tivoli Lodge: Our next hotel is Tivoli Lodge, Vail, Colorado. It will take 15 hours, and 28 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from California. The Tivoli Lodge is a ski resort located in Vail Village’s heart. The resort is known for providing friendly, caring, and personalized service. The new European-style architecture blends in with the surrounding natural environment, with unobstructed views of Vail’s Golden Peak ski area and within steps of the Vista Bahn ski lift. Check the Tivoli Lodge on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Tivoli Lodge for reviews, prices, and availability.

In this part, we explained five different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from California to Colorado. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. It will help people who will take some California to Colorado routes.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from California to Colorado. We have five restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

5 Best Restaurants On California To Colorado Road Trip

Some restaurants will please you on your California to Colorado road trip if dining is a pleasure. In this section, we list the five different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from California to Colorado. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. 24th Street Cafe: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on California to Colorado road trip with 24th Street Cafe. 24th Street Cafe is located in Bakersfield, California, 108 miles from California. It would take 1 hour and 53 mins of driving. Bakersfield residents and visitors flock to this restaurant for its home-cooked feel and variety of menu items. A restaurant is an excellent place for dinner or a light snack. For more information about 24th Street Cafe, visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of 24th Street Cafe.
2. Fresco Italiano, Las Vegas: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Colorado from California is Fresco Italiano, Las Vegas. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, Fresco Italiano, Las Vegas, is 393 miles from California and would take 6 hours of driving. Fresco Italiano is a Las Vegas restaurant that serves Tuscan-inspired Italian cuisine. The menu features a variety of pasta dishes with freshly made sauces, handcrafted flatbreads, steaks, chicken, and fresh seafood. If you want to learn more about Fresco Italiano, Las Vegas, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Cliffside Restaurant: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Cliffside Restaurant. It will take 7 hours and 55 mins of car drive to take 513 miles from California to Cliffside Restaurant, St. George, Utah. The restaurant is on a cliff above the boulevard with a scenic view of the St. George valley. The restaurant offers an unparalleled view and an experience that cannot be found anywhere else in southern Utah. You can check Cliffside Restaurant on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. Bin 707 Foodbar: Bin 707 Foodbar deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Grand Junction, Colorado. Bin 707 Foodbar is committed to sourcing from local, Colorado, and domestic sources. The restaurant is a Zero Foodprint member, a 2018 and 2019 Good Food 100 restaurant, and a James Beard Smart Catch Leader for its ongoing commitment to sustainability within the industry. Bin 707 Foodbar is 900 miles away from California, and it would take 13 hours and 23 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Bin 707 Foodbar, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Swiss Chalet – Vail: If you enjoy dining, Swiss Chalet – Vail would be an excellent choice in Vail, Colorado. It’s 1,045 miles from California and would take 15 hours and 26 mins of car driving. The Swiss Chalet is a popular restaurant known for its authentic regional dishes, including hearty favorites like Schnitzel and delicious fondues. In addition, the restaurant has an extensive wine list recognized by Wine Spectators, earning the Best Award of Excellence. The Swiss Chalet is the perfect place to enjoy a meal with family and friends. If you want to learn more about the Swiss Chalet-Vail, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

This section lists our five restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from California to Colorado. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 1,118 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Colorado road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from California to Colorado. Keep reading.

5 Places To Visit On California To Colorado Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Colorado. However, on your road trip, there are also some unique destinations, like Bakersfield, California. Therefore, we want to explain the top five destinations we recommend on the Colorado route.

• Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace: Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace will be the first destination we recommend you stop on your California to Colorado road trip. Located in Bakersfield, California, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace is 108 miles away from California, and it would take 1 hour and 53 mins to drive. The live music added to the atmosphere while we dined. The service was good, and it was very family-friendly. The museum and memorabilia added charm to this unique place. If you want to learn more about Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Clark County Heritage Museum: Clark County Heritage Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on California to Colorado route. It’s 404 miles from California, and it’ll take about 6 hours and 17 mins of driving. The 30-acre museum site features a modern exhibit hall with a timeline exhibit about southern Nevada from pre-historic to modern times, as well as a collection of restored historic buildings that depict daily life from different decades in Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, and Goldfield. In addition, this museum has some outstanding exhibits in Las Vegas and the surrounding area. I enjoyed learning about Las Vegas and its history in the early years. This place is worth a visit. If you want to learn more about Clark County Heritage Museum, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Red Hills Desert Garden: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from California to Colorado is St. George, Utah. And if you visit St. George, Utah, we suggest you visit Red Hills Desert Garden. You can arrive at Red Hills Desert Garden after 7 hours and 55 mins of driving. The park is a great place to visit for a coffee and a peaceful walk. The landscaping is beautiful, and it’s accessible and close to downtown. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Red Hills Desert Garden for more information.
• Downtown Grand Junction: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Downtown Grand Junction, Grand Junction, Colorado, on California to Colorado road trip. Downtown Grand Junction is 899 miles from California, and you can arrive there after the 13 hours and 22 mins of drive. Downtown is home to dozens of unique locally-owned shops, music venues, restaurants, and galleries. The area’s tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly streets showcase public art, fountains, and historic buildings. It is a great place to enjoy local cuisine, unique gifts, and relaxing family fun. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Downtown Grand Junction before going there.
• Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: Located in Vail, Colorado, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from California to Colorado. You must take 15 hours and 27 mins of driving to arrive at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. The labels on the plants in this botanical garden provide visitors with important information. If you want to learn more about Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From California to Colorado

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about California to Colorado drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From California To Colorado?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, California to Colorado road trip takes approximately 17 hours and 13 minutes to drive. Therefore, the driving distance between California to Colorado is 1,118 miles.
• If you want to make California to Colorado road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be four days and 5 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the California-Colorado route, you will have to walk for 14 days and 15 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From California To Colorado?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Colorado. On the road, you can visit Bakersfield, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; St. George, Utah; Grand Junction, Colorado; Vail, Colorado. Here we list five places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on California to Colorado journey, you can check the 5 Best Places To Visit On The Way From California To Colorado part.

1. Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace: 108 miles / 1 hour and 53 mins to drive from California | 1,011 miles / 15 hours and 25 mins of driving to Colorado.
2. Clark County Heritage Museum: 404 miles / 6 hours and 17 mins to drive from California | 743 miles / 11 hours and 30 mins of driving to Colorado.
3. Red Hills Desert Garden: 514 miles / 7 hours and 55 mins to drive from California | 607 miles / 9 hours and 30 mins of driving to Colorado.
4. Downtown Grand Junction: 899 miles / 13 hours and 22 mins to drive from California | 221 miles / 4 hours of driving to Colorado.
5. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: 1,045 miles / 15 hours and 27 mins to drive from California | 74.2 miles / 1 hour and 50 mins of driving to Colorado.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From California To Colorado?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from California to Colorado. We have selected five hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 5 Best Hotels On The Way To Colorado From California section.

• Best Western Plus Hill House: 110 miles / 1 hour and 56 mins to drive from California | 1,009 miles / 15 hours and 25 mins of driving to Colorado.
• Park MGM Las Vegas: 389 miles / 6 hours to drive from California | 730 miles / 11 hours and 16 mins of driving to Colorado.
• Best Western Plus Abbey Inn: 511 miles / 7 hours and 51 mins to drive from California | 608 miles / 9 hours and 27 mins of driving to Colorado.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction: 900 miles / 13 hours and 20 mins to drive from California | 220 miles / 3 hours and 59 mins of driving to Colorado.
• Tivoli Lodge: 1,045 miles / 15 hours and 28 mins to drive from California | 74.3 miles / 1 hour and 52 mins of driving to Colorado.

Where To Eat Between California to Colorado?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your California to Colorado drive, you can consider the five restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 5 Best Restaurants On The Way From California To Colorado.

1. 24th Street Cafe: 108 miles / 1 hour and 53 mins to drive from California | 1,010 miles / 15 hours and 27 mins of driving to Colorado.
2. Fresco Italiano, Las Vegas: 393 miles / 6 hours to drive from California | 728 miles / 11 hours and 15 mins of driving to Colorado.
3. Cliffside Restaurant: 513 miles / 7 hours and 55 mins to drive from California | 608 miles / 9 hours and 31 mins of driving to Colorado.
4. Bin 707 Foodbar: 900 miles / 13 hours and 23 mins to drive from California | 222 miles / 4 hours of driving to Colorado.
5. Swiss Chalet – Vail: 1,045 miles / 15 hours and 26 mins to drive from California | 73.7 miles / 1 hour and 49 mins of driving to Colorado.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from California to Colorado. We have listed five hotels, five restaurants, and five places to visit on California to Colorado drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from California to Colorado as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken California to Colorado road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from California to Colorado and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.