Colorado To Chicago Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

Traveling from Colorado to Chicago is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 1,068 miles of road trip from Colorado to Chicago takes around 15 hours and 51 mins of driving without stops.

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

6 Best Hotels On The Way From Colorado To Chicago

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

1. South Platte Cabins & Kennels: South Platte Cabins & Kennels is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the road trip from Colorado to Chicago. Driving from Colorado to South Platte Cabins & Kennels might take around 4 hours 26 mins. South Platte Cabins & Kennels features air-conditioned rooms in Ogallala, which provides guests with a comfortable environment. The property also offers river views, a barbecue, and a 24/7 front desk. Check the South Platte Cabins & Kennels, one of the best hotels in Ogallala, Nebraska, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Chicago from Colorado is Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites. Located in North Platte, Nebraska, the hotel is 326 miles away from Colorado, and it would take 5 hours and 7 mins to drive. At the Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites, you’ll find all the modern amenities and thoughtful design you need to feel home while away from home. In addition, the hotel includes a spacious work desk and free internet access in all guest rooms so you can stay connected while traveling. If you want to learn more about the Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Fullerton Inn, Nebraska: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Fullerton Inn, Nebraska. Fullerton Inn, Nebraska, is located in Fullerton, Nebraska, and it’s 509 miles away from Colorado. You can arrive there with 7 hours 53 mins of non-stop driving. The Fullerton Inn is an excellent option for travelers visiting Fullerton, with many helpful amenities designed to make your stay more enjoyable. Check Fullerton Inn, Nebraska’s TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages for more information.
4. Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area: If you are taking the road trip from Colorado to Chicago, Omaha, Nebraska, is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area is one of the best hotels in town. It is Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area, 604 miles from Colorado, and it would take 9 hours and 1 min to drive. Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha/Downtown Old Market Area offers modern rooms and suites with all the amenities of the home, including grocery delivery service, free Wi-Fi access, and a complimentary hot breakfast each morning in the lobby. If you need more info about the price and availability of Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Surety Hotel: Our next hotel is Surety Hotel, Des Moines, Iowa. It will take 10 hours, and 54 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Colorado. At the Surety Des Moines hotel, they promise to offer impeccable service, breathtaking design, top-notch hospitality, and an Iowa experience unlike any other for travelers and locals. The Surety Courtyard is the perfect place to share bites and enjoy live music while connecting with friends. Check the Surety Hotel on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Surety Hotel for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Colorado to Chicago is Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Davenport, Iowa, within 13 hours and 25 mins drive from Colorado. The Hotel Blackhawk, located in the heart of downtown Davenport, features a luxurious spa and an on-site bowling alley. The city views are included in every modern room at this hotel. 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 Colorado to Chicago. 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 identical Colorado to Chicago route.

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

6 Best Restaurants On The Way To Chicago From Colorado

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

1. Open Range Grill: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Colorado to Chicago with Open Range Grill. Open Range Grill is located in Ogallala, Nebraska, and is 1,026 miles from Colorado. It would take 15 hours and 9 mins of driving. The steak salad was excellent. The casual atmosphere is perfect for a summer lunch. The service was excellent, and the prices were fair. For more information about Open Range Grill, visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Open Range Grill.
2. Luigi’s, Nebraska: Luigi’s, Nebraska is another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Chicago from Colorado. Located in North Platte, Nebraska, Luigi’s, Nebraska, is 385 miles from Colorado and would take 6 hours and 5 mins of driving. The restaurant does not have a microwave. All menu items are made fresh, with no frozen prepackaged ingredients. If you want to learn more about Luigi’s, Nebraska, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. The Green Gateau: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is The Green Gateau. It will take 8 hours and 13 mins of car drive to take 548 miles from Colorado to The Green Gateau, Lincoln, Nebraska. Eric Lemke, owner and Executive Chef at The Green Gateau Restaurant and The Green Gateau Reception Center, has a long history of cooking experience. He began his career at the restaurant on Mother’s Day 2000. You can check The Green Gateau on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. M’s Pub: M’s Pub deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Omaha, Nebraska. You can dine in formal attire, shorts, and sandals at this restaurant and feel at home. The menu is extensive, with a variety of options to choose from. M’s Pub is 604 miles away from Colorado, and it would take 9 hours and 2 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about M’s Pub, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Fong’s Pizza, Iowa: If you enjoy dining, Fong’s Pizza, Iowa, would be an excellent choice in Des Moines, Iowa. It’s 777 miles from Colorado and would take 11 hours and 33 mins of car driving. Fong’s Pizza is a popular pizzeria that combines flavors from all over the world. Their Crab Rangoon pizza is especially famous, and they also offer a variety of other appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and gluten-free pizzas. If you want to learn more about Fong’s Pizza, Iowa, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Cafe d’Marie: Another restaurant we recommend you to visit on the road trip from Colorado to Chicago is Cafe d’Marie, Davenport, Iowa. It will take 13 hours and 24 mins of driving to reach Cafe d’Marie from Colorado. In 2009, DeAnna Marie Walter and Rick Kimmel opened their home as Café D’Marie. This unique restaurant is praised by families worldwide for its unique setting and delicious food. For more information about Cafe d’Marie, you can check the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Colorado to Chicago. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 1,068 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 Chicago 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 Colorado to Chicago. Keep reading.

6 Places To Visit On The Way From Colorado To Chicago

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

• Lake McConaughy: Lake McConaughy will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Colorado to Chicago road trip. Located in Ogallala, Nebraska, Lake McConaughy is 291 miles away from Colorado, and it would take 4 hours and 46 mins to drive. Lake McConaughy is Nebraska’s largest lake and reservoir in a three-state region. It features natural white sand beahes, and excellent fishing, boating, camping, and outdoor recreation. If you want to learn more about Lake McConaughy, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center: Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center, North Platte, Nebraska, is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on Colorado to Chicago route. It’s 326 miles from Colorado, and it’ll take about 5 hours and 11 mins of driving. This rail yard is home to a fantastic variety of big and miniature trains. It’s a great place to watch the trains and listen to the yard as it works. You can also read about the history of this rail yard in detail, so don’t miss out on understanding its complex workings. If you want to learn more about Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Broken Arrow Wilderness: Fullerton, Nebraska is one of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Colorado to Chicago. And if you visit Fullerton, Nebraska, we suggest you visit Broken Arrow Wilderness. You can arrive at Broken Arrow Wilderness after 7 hours and 55 mins of driving. Relaxing at the Cedar River is easy, with plenty of amenities to keep you entertained. So pack your lawn chairs and be more relaxed, apply sunscreen, and take a lazy ride down the river. This is a great afternoon if you don’t mind occasionally pushing off the rafts. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Broken Arrow Wilderness for more information.
• Old Market: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Old Market, Omaha, Nebraska, on the road trip from Colorado to Chicago. Old Market is 605 miles from Colorado, and you can arrive there after the 9 hours and 2 mins of drive. In Omaha, the historic district is a popular tourist stop where visitors can stroll down the cobblestone streets and explore many preserved buildings. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Old Market before going there.
• Capitol Building, Iowa: Located in Des Moines, Iowa, Capitol Building, Iowa ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the Chicago road trip. You must take 10 hours 54 mins of driving to arrive at Capitol Building, Iowa. However, if you have the time and interest, we recommend taking the free 90-minute tour to learn about this hand-built tower’s history and design. The guides are very informative, telling us all about the history and architecture of the interior of this magnificent building. If you want to learn more about Capitol Building, Iowa, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Figge Art Museum: Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Colorado to Chicago is Figge Art Museum, Davenport, Iowa. Figge Art Museum is 905 miles from Colorado, and it would take 13 hours and 24 mins to drive. The Figge Art Museum is an internationally renowned art exhibition and education facility located in downtown Chicago, Illinois, and Des Moines, Iowa. The museum’s landmark glass building on the banks of the Mississippi was designed by British architect David Chipperfield, who also created London’s Tate Modern. The Figge Art Museum has one of the Midwest’s finest art collections, showcasing world-class traveling exhibitions from time to time. For more information about Figge Art Museum, you can check their TripAdvisor page or official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Colorado to Chicago

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

How Long Is The Road Trip From Colorado To Chicago?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 15 hours and 51 mins to drive. The distance between Colorado to Chicago is 1,068 miles.
• If you want to make Colorado to Chicago road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be three days and 23 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Colorado-Chicago route, you will have to walk for 14 days and 12 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Colorado To Chicago?

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

1. Lake McConaughy: 291 miles / 4 hours 46 mins to drive from Colorado | 802 miles / 11 hours 45 mins of driving to Chicago.
2. Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center: 326 miles / 5 hours 11 mins to drive from Colorado | 748 miles / 10 hours 59 mins of driving to Chicago.
3. Broken Arrow Wilderness: 511 miles / 7 hours 55 mins to drive from Colorado | 579 miles / 8 hours 56 mins of driving to Chicago.
4. Old Market: 605 miles / 9 hours 2 mins to drive from Colorado | 468 miles / 7 hours 2 mins of driving to Chicago.
5. Capitol Building, Iowa: 735 miles / 10 hours 54 mins to drive from Colorado | 333 miles / 5 hours 4 mins of driving to Chicago.
6. Figge Art Museum: 905 miles / 13 hours 24 mins to drive from Colorado | 176 miles / 2 hours 50 mins of driving to Chicago.

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

There are many excellent hotels during your Colorado to Chicago 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 Chicago From Colorado section.

• South Platte Cabins & Kennels: 276 miles / 4 hours 26 mins to drive from Colorado | 793 miles / 11 hours 32 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites: 326 miles / 5 hours 7 mins to drive from Colorado | 743 miles / 10 hours 49 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Fullerton Inn, Nebraska: 509 miles / 7 hours 53 mins to drive from Colorado | 592 miles / 8 hours 57 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area: 604 miles / 9 hours 1 min to drive from Colorado | 471 miles / 7 hours 1 min of driving to Chicago.
• Surety Hotel: 734 miles / 10 hours 54 mins to drive from Colorado | 334 miles / 5 hours 5 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection: 905 miles / 13 hours 25 mins to drive from Colorado | 176 miles / 2 hours 49 mins of driving to Chicago.

Where To Eat Between Colorado to Chicago?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Colorado to Chicago 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 Colorado To Chicago.

1. Open Range Grill: 1,026 miles / 15 hours 9 mins to drive from Colorado | 45.4 miles / 51 mins of driving to Chicago.
2. Luigi’s, Nebraska: 385 miles / 6 hours 5 mins to drive from Colorado | 690 miles / 10 hours 33 mins of driving to Chicago.
3. The Green Gateau: 548 miles / 8 hours 13 mins to drive from Colorado | 522 miles / 7 hours 45 mins of driving to Chicago.
4. M’s Pub: 604 miles / 9 hours 2 mins to drive from Colorado | 468 miles / 7 hours 2 mins of driving to Chicago.
5. Fong’s Pizza, Iowa: 777 miles / 11 hours 33 mins to drive from Colorado | 317 miles / 4 hours 51 mins of driving to Chicago.
6. Cafe d’Marie: 904 miles / 13 hours 24 mins to drive from Colorado | 175 miles / 2 hours 51 mins of driving to Chicago.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Colorado to Chicago. 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 Colorado to Chicago as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

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