Denver To Salt Lake City Road Trip: Top 21 Tips

Traveling from Denver to Salt Lake City is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 518 miles of a road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City takes around 7 hours and 57 mins of driving without stops.

In this article, we share the 21 top tips that turn your Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City, keep reading!

7 Best Hotels On The Way From Denver To Salt Lake City

On the way from Denver to Salt Lake City, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top seven hotels on the Denver – Salt Lake City route!

1. The Silver Lake Lodge: The Silver Lake Lodge is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City. Driving from Denver to The Silver Lake Lodge might take around 1 hour. The Silver Lake Lodge is a romantic bed and breakfast located at 10,500 ft elevation in the Rocky Mountains. The lodge features luxurious amenities, as well as cozy guest rooms. It is an ideal location for authentic Colorado adventures. Check The Silver Lake Lodge, one of the best hotels in Idaho Springs, Colorado, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Frisco Lodge: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Salt Lake City from Denver is Frisco Lodge. Located in Frisco, Colorado, the hotel is 71.5 miles away from Denver, and it would take 1 hour and 20 mins to drive. The Frisco Lodge is a historic bed and breakfast located in the heart of Colorado. It’s been family-owned and operated for over 50 years, and its guest rooms are filled with charm, delicious gourmet meals, and warm hospitality. If you want to learn more about the Frisco Lodge, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Glenwood Springs Inn: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Glenwood Springs Inn. Glenwood Springs Inn is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and it’s 158 miles away from Denver. You can arrive there with 2 hours 40 mins of non-stop driving. They offer reasonably priced, clean rooms close to all the major attractions in Glenwood Springs. Continental breakfast items such as pastries, bagels, and juice are available daily. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Glenwood Springs Inn for more information.
4. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction: If you are taking the road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City, 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, 243 miles from Denver, and it would take 3 hours and 50 mins to drive. Finding a family-friendly hotel in Grand Junction does not have to be complicated. Free parking is available if you are driving to La Quinta Grand Junction Hotel. If you like French restaurants, La Quinta Grand Junction Hotel is conveniently located near Chez Lena Restaurant. 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. Legacy Inn, Utah: Our next hotel is Legacy Inn, Utah, Helper, Utah. It will take 6 hours 12 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Denver. This Price motel near the Nine Mile Canyon entrance features free Wi-Fi and a breakfast that includes continental items. Free parking is available in front of guest rooms. Check the Legacy Inn, Utah on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Legacy Inn, Utah, for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. Hampton Inn Provo: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City is Hampton Inn Provo. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel, located in Provo, Utah, within 7 hours 26 mins drive from Denver. Provo, Utah, is a city with natural wonders close by that you can explore. Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Mountain Range offers stunning views, and Provo Canyon is only a few miles away. Hampton has a a complimentary hot breakfast every morning to start your day off right. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.
7. Best Western Plus Cotton Tree Inn: Another hotel that deserves to be on the list is Best Western Plus Cotton Tree Inn. It’s located in Sandy, Utah, 510 miles from Denver. You can arrive there within 7 hours 51 mins of car drive. At the Best Western Plus Cotton Tree Inn, you’ll find all the modern amenities and thoughtful design you need to feel at home while away from home. In addition, their work desks are included in all guest rooms so you can stay productive, and free internet access is available in all of their rooms so you can stay connected. If you need further information, you can check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Best Western Plus Cotton Tree Inn.

In this part, we explained seven different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Denver to Salt Lake City. We have seven restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

7 Best Restaurants On The Way To Salt Lake City From Denver

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

1. Smokin Yard’s BBQ: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City with Smokin Yard’s BBQ. Smokin Yard’s BBQ is located in Idaho Springs, Colorado, and is 2.6 miles from Denver. So it would take 10 mins of driving. Smokin’ Yards started in 2008 in Idaho Springs, Colorado. Their style is borrowed from many regions to bring you their “High Elevation BBQ. Their flagship restaurant is located right on Clear Creek, which flows through the city. For more information about Smokin Yard’s BBQ, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Smokin Yard’s BBQ.
2. Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Salt Lake City from Denver is Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe. Located in Frisco, Colorado, Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe is 71.4 miles from Denver and would take 1 hour and 20 mins of driving. The Butterhorn Bakery & Cafe is a longstanding business that has enjoyed serving customers for over 40 years. We handcraft all of their recipes from scratch in their kitchen, and we bake fresh bread and baked goods every day in their bakery. If you want to learn more about Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Riviera Scratch Kitchen: Riviera Scratch Kitchen is another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food. It will take 2 hours 37 mins of car drive to take 157 miles from Denver to Riviera Scratch Kitchen, Glenwood Springs, Colorado. At Glenwood’s The Riv, guests can enjoy a unique interior, extensive wine list, inventive cocktails, and a seasonal menu designed around fresh and local ingredients. The restaurant has multiple awards wins to its name and consistently receives high ratings from guests. You can check Riviera Scratch Kitchen for more information on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
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. At Bin 707 Foodbar, we take pride in sourcing local, Colorado, and domestic sources whenever possible to provide a unique, thoughtful, and accessible experience time and time again. In addition, the restaurant is a Zero Foodprint member, a 2018 Good Food 100 restaurant, and James Beard Smart Catch “Leader” for its commitment to sustainability within the industry. Bin 707 Foodbar is 244 miles from Denver, and it would take 3 hours and 58 minutes 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. Grogg’s Pinnacle Brewing Company: If you enjoy dining, Grogg’s Pinnacle Brewing Company would be an excellent choice in Helper, Utah. It’s 409 miles from Denver and would take 6 hours and 15 mins of car driving. The beet salad is a great option on the extensive menu, with friendly service and excellent food. If you want to learn more about Grogg’s Pinnacle Brewing Company, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Tucanos Brazilian Grill: Another restaurant we recommend you to visit on the road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City is Tucanos Brazilian Grill, Provo, Utah. It will take 1 hour and 18 mins of driving to reach Tucanos Brazilian Grill from Denver. Their food is some of the best in the area, and we always have something different for you to try. In addition, we offer two unique Brazilian treats every month to give your taste buds a little trip down south. For more information about Tucanos Brazilian Grill, you can check TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.
7. Texas Roadhouse, Utah: Ranked seventh on our list, Texas Roadhouse, Utah appeals to those who want to turn their Salt Lake City vacation into a memorable experience. Located in Sandy, Utah, 451 miles from Denver, it’ll take 7 hours and 51 mins to drive. The food was excellent, especially given the busy atmosphere. Their food arrived promptly and was perfectly cooked. The service is reliable, and good-quality products are consistently delivered with competent staff. If you want to learn more about Texas Roadhouse, Utah, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

This section lists our seven restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 518 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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City. Keep reading.

7 Places To Visit On The Way From Denver To Salt Lake City

A unique experience awaits you in Salt Lake City. However, on your road trip, there are also some unique destinations, like Idaho Springs, Colorado. We want to explain the top seven destinations we recommend on the Salt Lake City route.

• Argo Mill and Tunnel: Argo Mill and Tunnel will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Denver to Salt Lake City road trip. Located in Idaho Springs, Colorado, Argo Mill and Tunnel is 32.2 miles away from Denver, and it would take 40 mins to drive. The Argo is an integral part of the story of the Colorado gold rush, and it remains one of the world’s largest and most well-preserved historic mills. You can expect to spend about an hour and a half to two hours on a tour of this mill, which will give you a thorough understanding of its history. If you want to learn more about the Argo Mill and Tunnel, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Frisco Historic Park and Museum: Frisco Historic Park and Museum, Frisco, Colorado, is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on the Denver to Salt Lake City route. It’s 72.2 miles from Denver, and it’ll take about 1 hour and 20 mins to drive. The Frisco Historical Park & Museum preserves and promotes the history of the town of Frisco by presenting an excellent educational museum experience to its community and visitors. In addition, the museum connects the past, present, and future to the world around it through exhibitions and programming. If you want to learn more about Frisco Historic Park and Museum, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Hanging Lake Trail: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City is Glenwood Springs, Colorado. And if you visit Glenwood Springs, Colorado, we suggest you visit Hanging Lake Trail. You can arrive at Hanging Lake Trail after 2 hours and 37 mins of driving. Planning your hiking trip to Hanging Lake can ensure you have the desired time and day for hiking later in the year when snow is still on the ground. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Hanging Lake Trail 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, and Grand Junction, Colorado, on the road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City. Downtown Grand Junction is 244 miles from Denver, and you can arrive there after the 3 hours 58 mins of drive. Grand Junction is a pleasant city in the heart of Colorado’s Grand Valley. It enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually, and many nearby outdoor activities can be enjoyed. The downtown area is home to many local businesses and attractions, including several music venues, restaurants, and galleries. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Downtown Grand Junction before going there.
• Western Mining & Railroad Museum: Located in Helper, Utah, Western Mining & Railroad Museum ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the Salt Lake City road trip. You must take 6 hours 18 mins of driving to arrive at Western Mining & Railroad Museum. The museum is a multi-level treasure trove of the area, with exhibits on mining and trains in its building and outside by the machinery. If you want to learn more about Western Mining & Railroad Museum, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Bridal Veil Falls: On the road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City, Bridal Veil Falls, Provo, Utah, is another attraction you can visit on the road trip. Bridal Veil Falls, Utah, is 491 miles from Denver, and it would take 7 hours and 44 mins to drive. Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful, natural waterfall located in Provo Canyon. It can be accessed via a trail that connects to the parking lot and is open year-round. However, access may be limited during the winter months due to snow. For more information about Bridal Veil Falls, Utah, you can check their TripAdvisor page or official website.
• RioTinto Stadium: You can visit many Denver to Salt Lake City destinations. One of these destinations is RioTinto Stadium, located in Sandy, Utah. You can arrive at RioTinto Stadium after 7 hours 53 mins of driving. The soccer stadium is a beautiful setting with mountains behind it. Plenty of parking options are available, making it convenient for fans to get to the game. If you want to read the reviews of previous visitors about RioTinto Stadium, you can visit RioTinto Stadium’s TripAdvisor page or their website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Denver to Salt Lake City

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Denver to Salt Lake City drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Denver To Salt Lake City?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 7 hours and 57 mins to drive. The distance between Denver to Salt Lake City is 518 miles.
• If you want to make the Denver to Salt Lake City road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be one day, 22 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Denver-Salt Lake City route, you will have to walk for six days and 17 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Denver To Salt Lake City?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Salt Lake City. Here we list seven of them. For more information about the best places on the Denver to Salt Lake City journey, you can check the 7 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Denver To Salt Lake City part.

1. Argo Mill and Tunnel: 32.2 miles / 40 mins to drive from Denver | 493 miles / 7 hours 31 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
2. Frisco Historic Park and Museum: 72.2 miles / 1 hour 20 mins to drive from Denver | 454 miles / 6 hours 51 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
3. Hanging Lake Trail: 156 miles / 2 hours 37 mins to drive from Denver | 378 miles / 5 hours 40 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
4. Downtown Grand Junction: 244 miles / 3 hours 58 mins to drive from Denver | 283 miles / 4 hours 23 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
5. Western Mining & Railroad Museum: 414 miles / 6 hours 18 mins to drive from Denver | 111 miles / 1 hour 49 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
6. Bridal Veil Falls, Utah: 491 miles / 7 hours 44 mins to drive from Denver | 44.5 miles / 48 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
7. RioTinto Stadium: 513 miles / 7 hours 53 mins to drive from Denver | 14.3 miles / 18 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Denver To Salt Lake City?

There are many excellent hotels during your Denver to Salt Lake City road trip. We have selected seven hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 7 Best Hotels On The Way To Salt Lake City From Denver section.

• The Silver Lake Lodge: 44.1 miles / 1 hour 0 mins to drive from Denver | 499 miles / 7 hours 44 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
• Frisco Lodge: 71.5 miles / 1 hour 20 mins to drive from Denver | 454 miles / 6 hours 51 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
• Glenwood Springs Inn: 158 miles / 2 hours 40 mins to drive from Denver | 368 miles / 5 hours 30 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction: 243 miles / 3 hours 50 mins to drive from Denver | 284 miles / 4 hours 20 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
• Legacy Inn, Utah: 407 miles / 6 hours 12 mins to drive from Denver | 117 miles / 1 hour 56 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
• Hampton Inn Provo: 480 miles / 7 hours 26 mins to drive from Denver | 45.7 miles / 44 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
• Best Western Plus Cotton Tree Inn: 510 miles / 7 hours 51 mins to drive from Denver | 15.5 miles / 19 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.

Where To Eat Between Denver to Salt Lake City?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Denver to Salt Lake City journey, you can consider the seven restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 7 Best Restaurants On The Way From Denver To Salt Lake City.

1. Smokin Yard’s BBQ: 2.6 miles / 10 mins to drive from Denver | 520 miles / 7 hours 54 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
2. Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe: 71.4 miles / 1 hour 20 mins to drive from Denver | 454 miles / 6 hours 52 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
3. Riviera Scratch Kitchen: 157 miles / 2 hours 37 mins to drive from Denver | 368 miles / 5 hours 30 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
4. Bin 707 Foodbar: 244 miles / 3 hours 58 mins to drive from Denver | 283 miles / 4 hours 22 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
5. Grogg’s Pinnacle Brewing Company: 409 miles / 6 hours 15 mins to drive from Denver | 115 miles / 1 hour 53 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
6. Tucanos Brazilian Grill: 71.1 miles / 1 hour 18 mins to drive from Denver | 587 miles / 8 hours 59 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.
7. Texas Roadhouse, Utah: 451 miles / 7 hours 51 mins to drive from Denver | 175 miles / 3 hours 49 mins of driving to Salt Lake City.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City. We have listed seven hotels, seven restaurants, and seven 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 Salt Lake City as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

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