Denver To Moab Road Trip: Top 16 Tips

Traveling from Denver to Moab is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 354 miles of a road trip from Denver to Moab takes around 5 hours and 27 mins of driving without stops.

This article shares the 16 top tips that turn your Moab trip into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Denver to Moab, keep reading!

5 Best Hotels On The Way From Denver To Moab

On the way from Denver to Moab, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top five hotels on the Denver – Moab route!

1. Best Western Denver Southwest: Best Western Denver Southwest is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the road trip from Denver to Moab. Driving from Denver to Best Western Denver Southwest might take around 23 mins. The Best Western Denver Southwest hotel is located in Lakewood, Colorado, and offers visitors a seasonal outdoor heated pool. In addition, it is 20 minutes to drive from Red Rocks Amphitheater. Check the Best Western Denver Southwest, one of the best hotels in Lakewood, Colorado, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. The Lodge at Breckenridge: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Moab from Denver is The Lodge at Breckenridge. Located in Breckenridge, Colorado, the hotel is 81.4 miles away from Denver, and it would take 1 hour and 38 mins to drive. The Lodge is perched atop a forested cliff overlooking Boreas Pass, Breckenridge Ski Resort, and the Ten Mile Range. This luxurious resort offers all the comfort and services guests would expect from a world-class ski resort in an enchanting boutique hotel – perfect for a romantic getaway, family vacation, mountain wedding, or corporate retreat. If you want to learn more about The Lodge at Breckenridge, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. The Sebastian – Vail: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to Sebastian – Vail. The Sebastian – Vail is located in Vail, Colorado, and it’s 96.8 miles away from Denver. So you can arrive there with 1 hour 42 mins of non-stop driving. The Sebastian – Vail is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Vail Village. You’ll find every conceivable comfort in the hotel rooms and suites. There’s also a pool with hot tubs and a fire pit, making it the perfect spot to spend your time in Vail Village. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of The Sebastian – Vail for more information.
4. Glenwood Springs Inn: If you are taking the road trip from Denver to Moab, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Glenwood Springs Inn is one of the best hotels in town. It is Glenwood Springs Inn, 158 miles from Denver, and it would take 2 hours and 40 mins to drive. The Glenwood Springs Inn offers clean, affordable rooms within walking distance of all of the major attractions in Glenwood Springs. Continental breakfast items include pastries, bagels, juice, and coffee. If you need more info about the price and availability of Glenwood Springs Inn, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction: Our next hotel is La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction, Grand Junction, Colorado. It will take 3 hours, and 50 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Denver. Finding a family-friendly hotel in Grand Junction doesn’t have to be complicated. The property also boasts a pool and complimentary breakfast. Free parking is available if you’re driving to La Quinta Grand Junction Hotel. Check the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction for reviews, prices, and availability.

In this part, we explained five different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Denver to Moab. 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 Denver to Moab route.

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

5 Best Restaurants On The Way To Moab From Denver

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Denver to Moab road trip. In this section, we list the five different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Denver to Moab. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Abrusci’s Fire & Vine: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Denver to Moab with Abrusci’s Fire & Vine. Abrusci’s Fire & Vine is located in Lakewood, Colorado, 11.7 miles from Denver. Therefore, it would take 22 mins to drive. Abrusci’s Fire and Vine is a locally-owned restaurant with seating in the main dining room and indoor/outdoor seating in the bar and patio. For more information about Abrusci’s Fire & Vine, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Abrusci’s Fire & Vine.
2. Hearthstone Restaurant: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Moab from Denver is Hearthstone Restaurant. Located in Breckenridge, Colorado, Hearthstone Restaurant is 80.0 miles from Denver and would take 1 hour and 34 mins of driving. Hearthstone, a 125-year-old home in Breckenridge, Colorado, that is also the restaurant’s namesake, features creative farm-to-table Colorado cuisine reminiscent of the town’s Victorian charm. In addition, the home itself is decorated with beautiful antiques and art pieces, giving it a unique and charming atmosphere. If you want to learn more about Hearthstone Restaurant, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Swiss Chalet-Vail: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Swiss Chalet-Vail. It will take 1 hour 42 mins of car drive to take 96.8 miles from Denver to Swiss Chalet – Vail, Vail, Colorado. Swiss Chalet offers regional favorites such as Schnitzel and delicious fondues, both award-winning selections with intense flavors and aromas. In addition, their Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence” list features over 1,000 wines worldwide. You can check Swiss Chalet – Vail for more information on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
4. Riviera Scratch Kitchen: Riviera Scratch Kitchen deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The Riviera Supper Club and Scratch Kitchen is a renowned dining establishment in historic downtown Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The restaurant has been awarded multiple accolades, including Best Restaurant in Glenwood Springs by the Glenwood Springs Gazette and Best Fine Dining Establishment by Westword Magazine. Guests can enjoy a unique interior with an extensive wine list, inventive cocktails, and a seasonal menu with fresh and local ingredients. Riviera Scratch Kitchen is 157 miles from Denver, and it would take 2 hours and 37 minutes of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Riviera Scratch Kitchen, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Bin 707 Foodbar: If you enjoy dining, Bin 707 Foodbar would be an excellent choice in Grand Junction, Colorado. It’s 244 miles from Denver and would take 3 hours and 58 mins of car driving. Bin 707 Foodbar is a Zero Foodprint member, a 2018 and 2019 Good Food 100 restaurant, and a James Beard Smart Catch “Leader” for its dedication to sustainability within the industry. This commitment has resulted in Bin 707 being awarded three stars from the Denver Post and 4.5 stars from Yelp! The restaurant strives to use local, Colorado & domestic sources for food production, ensuring its menu is unique and accessible to all diners. If you want to learn more about Bin 707 Foodbar, 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 Denver to Moab. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 354 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 Moab 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 Denver to Moab. Keep reading.

6 Places To Visit On The Way From Denver To Moab

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

• Bear Creek Lake Park: Bear Creek Lake Park will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Denver to Moab road trip. Located in Lakewood, Colorado, Bear Creek Lake Park is 20.0 miles away from Denver, and it would take 31 mins to drive. Bear Creek Lake Park is a great place to get away and offers miles of trails, scenic views, a swim beach, paddle boarding, picnic tables, and more. For those who want to be more active, canoes, kayaks, and stand-up boards are available for rent. If you want to learn more about Bear Creek Lake Park, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Main Street: Main Street, Breckenridge, Colorado, is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on the Denver to Moab route. It’s 1,436 miles from Denver, and it’ll take about 21 hours and 46 mins to drive. The street was lined with various shops, from touristy gifts to local wares and art. There were also plenty of restaurants, bars, desserts, and coffee shops to allow a break. If you want to learn more about Main Street, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Denver to Moab is Vail, Colorado. And if you visit Vail, Colorado, we suggest you visit Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. You can arrive at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens after 1 hour 43 mins of driving. The Vail Alpine Botanical Garden is open to the public and features beautiful flowers and plants. It’s a great place to see different flowers and learn about botany. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens for more information.
• Hanging Lake Trail: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Hanging Lake Trail, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, on the road trip from Denver to Moab. Hanging Lake Trail is 156 miles from Denver, and you can arrive there after the 2 hours 37 mins of drive. Hanging Lake and Spouting Rock are beautiful sights but plan your hike to enjoy them at their best. The scenery around these landmarks is stunning during warmer weather, so don’t hesitate to book your visit now! In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Hanging Lake Trail before going there.
• Downtown Grand Junction: Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, Downtown Grand Junction ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the Moab road trip. You must take 3 hours 58 mins of driving to arrive at Downtown Grand Junction. Downtown Grand Junction is a beautiful place to walk around, with tree-lined streets and public art, fountains, and historic buildings. There are also tantalizing local cuisine options, unique gifts, and relaxing family fun. It’s the perfect place to spend a day or two. If you want to learn more about Downtown Grand Junction, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Sego Canyon Petroglyphs: Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Denver to Moab is Sego Canyon Petroglyphs, Thompson Springs, Utah. Sego Canyon Petroglyphs is 322 miles from Denver, and it would take 5 hours to drive. Sego Canyon is worth visiting if you’re looking for an exciting adventure. The canyon contains rock art from three Native American cultures and a well-preserved ghost town. You can check their TripAdvisor page or official website for more information about Sego Canyon Petroglyphs.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Denver to Moab

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Denver to Moab drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Denver To Moab?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 5 hours and 27 mins to drive. The distance between Denver to Moab is 354 miles.
• If you want to make the Denver to Moab road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be one day and 15 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Denver-Moab route, you will have to walk for five days and 5 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Denver To Moab?

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

1. Bear Creek Lake Park: 20.0 miles / 31 mins to drive from Denver | 349 miles / 5 hours 22 mins of driving to Moab.
2. Main Street: 1,436 miles / 21 hours 46 mins to drive from Denver | 1,923 kmles / 18 hours 9 mins of driving to Moab.
3. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: 95.9 miles / 1 hour 43 mins to drive from Denver | 259 miles / 3 hours 49 mins of driving to Moab.
4. I am hanging Lake Trail: 156 miles / 2 hours 37 mins to drive from Denver | 207 miles / 3 hours 2 mins of driving to Moab.
5. Downtown Grand Junction: 244 miles / 3 hours 58 mins to drive from Denver | 112 miles / 1 hour 44 mins of driving to Moab.
6. Sego Canyon Petroglyphs: 322 miles / 5 hours 1 min to drive from Denver | 41.0 miles / 47 mins of driving to Moab.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Denver To Moab?

There are many excellent hotels during your Denver to Moab road trip. 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 Moab From Denver section.

• Best Western Denver Southwest: 11.3 miles / 23 mins to drive from Denver | 353 miles / 5 hours 22 mins of driving to Moab.
• The Lodge at Breckenridge: 81.4 miles / 1 hour 38 mins to drive from Denver | 294 miles / 4 hours 33 mins of driving to Moab.
• The Sebastian – Vail: 96.8 miles / 1 hour 42 mins to drive from Denver | 258 miles / 3 hours 47 mins of driving to Moab.
• Glenwood Springs Inn: 158 miles / 2 hours 40 mins to drive from Denver | 198 miles / 2 hours 52 mins of driving to Moab.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction: 243 miles / 3 hours 50 mins to drive from Denver | 113 miles / 1 hour 41 mins of driving to Moab.

Where To Eat Between Denver to Moab?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Denver to Moab journey, 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 Denver To Moab.

1. Abrusci’s Fire & Vine: 11.7 miles / 22 mins to drive from Denver | 346 miles / 5 hours 16 mins of driving to Moab.
2. Hearthstone Restaurant: 80.0 miles / 1 hour 34 mins to drive from Denver | 293 miles / 4 hours 29 mins of driving to Moab.
3. Swiss Chalet – Vail: 96.8 miles / 1 hour 42 mins to drive from Denver | 258 miles / 3 hours 47 mins of driving to Moab.
4. Riviera Scratch Kitchen: 157 miles / 2 hours 37 mins to drive from Denver | 198 miles / 2 hours 52 mins of driving to Moab.
5. Bin 707 Foodbar: 244 miles / 3 hours 58 mins to drive from Denver | 112 miles / 1 hour 44 mins of driving to Moab.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Denver to Moab. We have listed five hotels, five 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 Denver to Moab as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

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