Chicago To Colorado Road Trip: Top 18 Tips

Traveling from Chicago to Colorado is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 1,066 miles of road trip from Chicago to Colorado takes around 15 hours and 52 mins of driving without stops.

This article includes 18 top tips that turn your Colorado trip into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Chicago to Colorado, take your coffee and keep reading!

6 Best Hotels On The Way From Chicago To Colorado

On the way from Chicago to Colorado, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top six hotels on the Chicago – Colorado route!

1. Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection: Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the road trip from Chicago to Colorado. Driving from Chicago to Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection might take around 2 hours and 45 mins. This Davenport hotel features an on-site bowling alley and a luxurious spa within 5 minutes walk of the Mississippi riverfront. The city views are included in every modern room. Check the Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection, one of the best hotels in Davenport, Iowa, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Surety Hotel: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Colorado from Chicago is Surety Hotel. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, the hotel is 333 miles away from Chicago, and it would take 5 hours and 2 mins to drive. At Surety Hotel Des Moines, they make a promise to provide unparalleled service and a superior Iowa experience for travelers and locals. The Surety Courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy shareable bites, listen to live music and connect with friends over cocktails. If you want to learn more about the Surety Hotel, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area. Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it’s 467 miles away from Chicago. You can arrive there with 6 hours 59 mins of non-stop driving. Residence Inn by Marriott offers a variety of modern rooms and suites with all the amenities you need to stay connected, relax after a long day, and enjoy a hot breakfast each morning in their lobby. The location makes exploring all that Omaha has to offer easy. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area for more information.
4. Fullerton Inn, Nebraska: If you are taking the road trip from Chicago to Colorado, Fullerton, Nebraska is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Fullerton Inn, Nebraska, is one of the best hotels in town. It is Fullerton Inn, Nebraska, 577 miles from Chicago, and it would take 8 hours and 53 mins to drive. The Fullerton Inn is an excellent option for travelers visiting Fullerton, with many helpful amenities designed to make your stay more enjoyable. If you need more info about the price and availability of Fullerton Inn, Nebraska, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites: Our next hotel is Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites, North Platte, Nebraska. It will take 10 hours, and 47 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Chicago. The Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites offers modern amenities and thoughtful design, making it stand out among other hotels in North Platte. The hotel includes a work desk and free internet access in all guest rooms to ensure you don’t miss any important business meetings while you’re away. Check the Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. South Platte Cabins & Kennels: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Chicago to Colorado is South Platte Cabins & Kennels. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Ogallala, Nebraska, within 11 hours and 29 mins drive from Chicago. Located in the heart of Ogallala, South Platte Cabins & Kennels features air-conditioned rooms with river views. The property also includes a barbecue and a 24-hour front desk. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

In this part, we explained six different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Chicago 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 the same Chicago to Colorado route.

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

6 Best Restaurants On The Way To Colorado From Chicago

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Chicago to Colorado road trip. This section lists the six restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Chicago to Colorado. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Cafe d’Marie: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Chicago to Colorado with Cafe d’Marie. Cafe d’Marie is located in Davenport, Iowa, 176 miles from Chicago. It would take 2 hours 46 mins of driving. On a memorable and unique day in 2009, Dr. DeAnna Marie Walter and Rick Kimmel opened their home, Café D’Marie, to the public as a unique getaway for families and friends. The restaurant is praised by many as an ideal place to relax and enjoy good food with family or friends. For more information about Cafe d’Marie, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Cafe d’Marie.
2. Fong’s Pizza: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Colorado from Chicago is Fong’s Pizza. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, Fong’s Pizza is 333 miles from Chicago and would take 5 hours and 1 min of driving. Fong’s Pizza is a restaurant that blends flavors and inspiration from the Far East and the West. Their specialty pizzas include Crab Rangoon pizza and appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan selections. If you want to learn more about Fong’s Pizza, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. M’s Pub: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is M’s Pub. It will take 6 hours 57 mins of car drive to take 466 miles from Chicago to M’s Pub, Omaha, Nebraska. You can dine at a restaurant in formal attire, shorts, and sandals if you like. There is a wide variety of food to choose from on the menu, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. You can check M’s Pub on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. The Green Gateau: The Green Gateau deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Lincoln, Nebraska. Eric Lemke, owner and Executive Chef at The Green Gateau Restaurant and The Green Gateau Reception Center, began his culinary career at the restaurant on Mother’s Day 2000. He has worked in 14 kitchens since then and is passionate about creating delicious food that brings people together. The Green Gateau is 522 miles from Chicago and would take 7 hours and 43 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about The Green Gateau, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Luigi’s, Nebraska: If you enjoy dining, Luigi’s, Nebraska, would be an excellent choice in North Platte, Nebraska. It’s 689 miles from Chicago and would take 10 hours and 32 mins of car driving. All menu items are made fresh daily, with no frozen prepackaged ingredients. This includes breakfast items, lunch options, and dinner choices. If you want to learn more about Luigi’s, Nebraska, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Open Range Grill: Another restaurant we recommend visiting on the road trip from Chicago to Colorado is Open Range Grill, Ogallala, Nebraska. It will take 45 mins of driving to reach Open Range Grill from Chicago. The steak salad was terrific. The atmosphere inside the metal shed was great, and the service was excellent. The prices were fair too. For more information about Open Range Grill, you can check TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Chicago to Colorado. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 1,066 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 Chicago to Colorado. Keep reading.

6 Places To Visit On The Way From Chicago To Colorado

A unique experience awaits you in Colorado. However, on your road trip, there are also some unique destinations, like Davenport, Iowa. We want to explain the top six destinations we recommend on the Colorado route.

• Figge Art Museum: Figge Art Museum will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Chicago to Colorado road trip. Located in Davenport, Iowa, Figge Art Museum is 176 miles away from Chicago, and it would take 2 hours and 46 mins to drive. The Figge Art Museum is a premier art exhibition and education facility in the Midwest between Chicago and Des Moines. It has a landmark glass building on the banks of the Mississippi designed by British architect David Chipperfield, and its art collection presents world-class traveling exhibitions. This beautiful, well-designed museum, and easy to manage with a good gift shop. If you want to learn more about the Figge Art Museum, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Capitol Building: Capitol Building, Des Moines, Iowa, is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on the Chicago to Colorado route. It’s 704 miles from Chicago, and it’ll take about 11 hours and 44 mins to drive. If you’re interested in seeing this hand-built tower’s architecture and history, we recommend taking the approximately 90-minute free tour. The guides are very informative and will tell you all about the history and design of the interior of this magnificent building. If you want to learn more about Capitol Building, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Old Market: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Chicago to Colorado is Omaha, Nebraska. And if you visit Omaha, Nebraska, we suggest you visit Old Market. You can arrive at Old Market after 6 hours 57 mins of driving. Omaha, Nebraska, is a historic city that preserves its place in time by maintaining its historic streets and buildings. Visitors can stroll along the cobbled streets and explore the many preserved buildings. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Old Market for more information.
• Broken Arrow Wilderness: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Broken Arrow Wilderness, Fullerton, Nebraska, on the road trip from Chicago to Colorado. Broken Arrow Wilderness is 576 miles from Chicago, and you can arrive there after the 8 hours 51 mins of drive. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a comfortable way to spend a day in the sun, consider renting a raft or kayak and taking it down the lazy river. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Broken Arrow Wilderness before going there.
• Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center: Located in North Platte, Nebraska, Golden Spike Tower, and Visitor Center ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the Colorado road trip. You must take 10 hours 56 mins of driving to arrive at Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center. This rail yard is home to many trains, all of which can be seen and experienced. It’s a fun place to visit and learn about the history of rail transportation. If you want to learn more about Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Lake McConaughy: Lake McConaughy, Ogallala, Nebraska, is another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Chicago to Colorado. Lake McConaughy is 801 miles from Chicago, and it would take 11 hours and 44 mins to drive. Lake McConaughy is Nebraska’s largest lake and reservoir in a three-state region. It is located on the edge of the Nebraska Sandhills and offers natural white sand beaches, excellent fishing, boating, camping, and all outdoor recreation. For more information about Lake McConaughy, you can check their TripAdvisor page or official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Chicago to Colorado

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

How Long Is The Road Trip From Chicago To Colorado?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 15 hours and 52 mins to drive. The distance between Chicago to Colorado is 1,066 miles.
• If you want to make the Chicago to Colorado road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be four days and 3 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Chicago-Colorado route, you will have to walk for 14 days and 16 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Chicago To Colorado?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Colorado. Here we list six of them. For more information about the best places on the Chicago to Colorado journey, you can check the 6 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Chicago To Colorado part.

1. Figge Art Museum: 176 miles / 2 hours 46 mins to drive from Chicago | 903 miles / 13 hours 30 mins of driving to Colorado.
2. Capitol Building: 704 miles / 11 hours 44 mins to drive from Chicago | 1,732 miles / one day 3 hours of driving to Colorado.
3. Old Market: 466 miles / 6 hours 57 mins to drive from Chicago | 604 miles / 9 hours 7 mins of driving to Colorado.
4. Broken Arrow Wilderness: 576 miles / 8 hours 51 mins to drive from Chicago | 511 miles / 7 hours 57 mins of driving to Colorado.
5. Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center: 747 miles / 10 hours 56 mins to drive from Chicago | 326 miles / 5 hours 13 mins of driving to Colorado.
6. Lake McConaughy: 801 miles / 11 hours 44 mins to drive from Chicago | 291 miles / 4 hours 47 mins of driving to Colorado.

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

There are many excellent hotels during your Chicago to Colorado road trip. We have selected six hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 6 Best Hotels On The Way To Colorado From Chicago section.

• Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection: 176 miles / 2 hours 45 mins to drive from Chicago | 903 miles / 13 hours 30 mins of driving to Colorado.
• Surety Hotel: 333 miles / 5 hours 2 mins to drive from Chicago | 734 miles / 10 hours 59 mins of driving to Colorado.
• Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area: 467 miles / 6 hours 59 mins to drive from Chicago | 604 miles / 9 hours 4 mins of driving to Colorado.
• Fullerton Inn, Nebraska: 577 miles / 8 hours 53 mins to drive from Chicago | 509 miles / 7 hours 55 mins of driving to Colorado.
• Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites: 742 miles / 10 hours 47 mins to drive from Chicago | 326 miles / 5 hours 10 mins of driving to Colorado.
• South Platte Cabins & Kennels: 792 miles / 11 hours 29 mins to drive from Chicago | 275 miles / 4 hours 28 mins of driving to Colorado.

Where To Eat Between Chicago to Colorado?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Chicago to Colorado journey, you can consider the six restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 6 Best Restaurants On The Way From Chicago To Colorado.

1. Cafe d’Marie: 176 miles / 2 hours 46 mins to drive from Chicago | 904 miles / 13 hours 28 mins of driving to Colorado.
2. Fong’s Pizza: 333 miles / 5 hours 1 min to drive from Chicago | 735 miles / 10 hours 59 mins of driving to Colorado.
3. M’s Pub: 466 miles / 6 hours 57 mins to drive from Chicago | 604 miles / 9 hours 7 mins of driving to Colorado.
4. The Green Gateau: 522 miles / 7 hours 43 mins to drive from Chicago | 549 miles / 8 hours 18 mins of driving to Colorado.
5. Luigi’s, Nebraska: 689 miles / 10 hours 32 mins to drive from Chicago | 385 miles / 6 hours 7 mins of driving to Colorado.
6. Open Range Grill: 43.9 miles / 45 mins to drive from Chicago | 1,025 miles / 15 hours 14 mins of driving to Colorado.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Chicago to Colorado. We have listed six hotels, six restaurants, and six places to visit on the way. 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 Chicago to Colorado as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken a road trip from Chicago to Colorado? 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 Chicago to Colorado and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.