Denver To Santa Fe Road Trip: Top 15 Tips

Traveling from Denver to Santa Fe is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 392 miles of a road trip from Denver to Santa Fe takes around 5 hours and 47 mins of driving without stops.

This article includes 15 top tips that turn your Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe, take your coffee and keep reading!

5 Best Hotels On The Way From Denver To Santa Fe

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

1. SCP Colorado Springs Hotel: SCP Colorado Springs Hotel is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the road trip from Denver to Santa Fe. Driving from Denver to SCP Colorado Springs Hotel might take around 1 hour and 14 mins. SCP Colorado Springs is a modern, green property with a state-of-the-art fitness facility and creative co-working space. The Provisions Market is stocked with locally sourced food and beverage products. Check the SCP Colorado Springs Hotel, one of the best hotels in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Pueblo: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Santa Fe from Denver is La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Pueblo. Located in Pueblo, Colorado, the hotel is 110 miles away from Denver, and it would take 1 hour and 44 mins to drive. La Quinta Inn & Suites Pueblo is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Pueblo, as it offers a family-friendly environment and many helpful amenities to enhance your stay. If you want to learn more about the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Pueblo, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Days Inn by Wyndham Colorado City: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Days Inn by Wyndham Colorado City. Days Inn by Wyndham Colorado City is located in Colorado City, Colorado, and it’s 138 miles away from Denver. So you can arrive there with 2 hours 7 mins of non-stop driving. The Days Inn by Wyndham Colorado City is an excellent choice for visitors to Colorado City, providing a family-friendly atmosphere alongside many helpful amenities designed to make your stay more comfortable. Free parking is also available. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Days Inn by Wyndham Colorado City for more information.
4. The Historic Taos Inn: If you are taking the road trip from Denver to Santa Fe, Taos, New Mexico, it must have a place you should visit. The Historic Taos Inn is one of the best hotels in town. It is The Historic Taos Inn, 288 miles from Denver, and it would take 4 hours 38 mins to drive. The property offers unique guestrooms and suites with decorative kiva fireplaces that guests can enjoy during the evening entertainment. The location is perfect for what you need, as the rooms are charming and the staff is accommodating. If you need more info about the price and availability of The Historic Taos Inn, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Casa Escondida Bed & Breakfast: Our next hotel is Casa Escondida Bed & Breakfast, Chimayo, New Mexico. It will take 5 hours, and 45 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Denver. Chimayo is a beautiful historic town in northern New Mexico, perfect for visitors looking to explore all of the most popular destinations. The guest rooms at our hotel are filled with hand-picked antiques and feature rustic southwestern style décor, making them an ideal location for a restful stay. Check the Casa Escondida Bed & Breakfast on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Casa Escondida Bed & Breakfast for reviews, prices, and availability.

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

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

5 Best Restaurants On The Way To Santa Fe From Denver

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

1. Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Denver to Santa Fe with Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant. Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, 70.8 miles from Denver. It would take 1 hour 12 mins of driving. The Irish pub features corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, potatoes, and a wide array of American dishes. The traditional feel of the pub is enhanced by live music five nights a week. For more information about Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant.
2. Mr. Tandoori Urban Bar and Grill: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Santa Fe from Denver is Mr. Tandoori Urban Bar and Grill. In Pueblo, Colorado, Mr. Tandoori Urban Bar and Grill is 114 miles from Denver and would take 1 hour and 49 mins of driving. At Mr. Tandoori Urban Bar and Grill, you’ll find outstanding Indian cuisine and service that is always friendly. In addition, the portions are so large that you can easily share them or take them home for another meal. If you want to learn more about Mr. Tandoori Urban Bar and Grill, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Three Sisters, Colorado City: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Three Sisters, Colorado City. It will take 2 hours and 7 mins of car drive to take 138 miles from Denver to Three Sisters, Colorado City, Colorado City, Colorado. The western ranch atmosphere is welcoming and comfortable from the start. The menu has something for everyone, so you can find what you’re looking for quickly. You can check Three Sisters, Colorado City, on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. Antonio’s The Taste of Mexico: Antonio’s The Taste of Mexico deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Taos, New Mexico. This restaurant features a variety of Mexican and New Mexican dishes. The atmosphere is family-friendly and accommodating, making it perfect for a quick meal. Antonio’s The Taste of Mexico is 291 miles from Denver, and it would take 4 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Antonio’s The Taste of Mexico, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Rancho De Chimayo Restaurante: If you enjoy dining, Rancho De Chimayo Restaurante would be an excellent choice in Chimayo, New Mexico. It’s 337 miles from Denver and would take 5 hours and 44 mins of car driving. New Mexico cuisine is characterized by using pinto beans and chile as ingredients. Chimayo, located in the Sangre de Cristo foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is known for its unique red chili. In addition, the village has a history of regional cultivation, seed varieties, and recipes that have been passed down for generations. If you want to learn more about the Rancho De Chimayo Restaurante, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

This section lists our five restaurant recommendations to eat on your trip from Denver to Santa Fe. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 392 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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe. Keep reading.

5 Places To Visit On The Way From Denver To Santa Fe

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

• Garden of the Gods: Garden of the Gods will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Denver to Santa Fe road trip. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Garden of the Gods is 69.7 miles away from Denver, and it would take 1 hour and 14 mins to drive. Pikes Peak National Monument features stunning geological formations, rock climbing, nature trails, and the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. The monument is located at the base of Pikes Peak in Colorado. If you want to learn more about the Garden of the Gods, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Rosemount Museum: Rosemount Museum, Pueblo, Colorado, is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on the Denver to Santa Fe route. It’s 113 miles from Denver, and it’ll take about 1 hour and 46 mins of driving. The historic Victorian home of John A. Thatcher, built in 1893, is a must-see destination for visitors to Rosemount. Nearly all the furnishings and decorative arts are original to the home, and many paintings and custom paneling date back to its heyday. If you want to learn more about Rosemount Museum, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Museum of Friends: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Denver to Santa Fe in Colorado City, Colorado. And if you visit Colorado City, Colorado, we suggest you visit the Museum of Friends. You can arrive Museum of Friends after 2 hours and 30 mins of driving. The Walsenburg Museum of Art is home to various changing exhibitions, a museum gift shop full of locally made goods “Made in Walsenburg,” and workshop areas. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of the Museum of Friends for more information.
• Taos Pueblo: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Taos Pueblo, and Taos, New Mexico, on the road trip from Denver to Santa Fe. Taos Pueblo is 289 miles from Denver, and you can arrive there after the 4 hours 40 mins of drive. Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years.
  In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Taos Pueblo before going there.
• El Santuario de Chimayo: Located in Chimayo, New Mexico, El Santuario de Chimayo ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the Santa Fe road trip. You must take 5 hours 45 mins of driving to arrive at El Santuario de Chimayo. It is very peaceful and quiet, with a small chapel. However, it can be hot inside, but you can take your time if there isn’t a mass. If you want to learn more about El Santuario de Chimayo, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Denver to Santa Fe

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Denver to Santa Fe Drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Denver To Santa Fe?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 5 hours and 47 mins to drive. The distance between Denver to Santa Fe is 392 miles.
• If you want to make the Denver to Santa Fe road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be one day and 8 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Denver-Santa Fe route, you will have to walk for five days and 17 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Denver To Santa Fe?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Santa Fe. Here we list five of them. For more information about the best places on the Denver to Santa Fe journey, you can check the 5 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Denver To Santa Fe part.

1. Garden of the Gods: 69.7 miles / 1 hour 14 mins to drive from Denver | 328 miles / 4 hours 51 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
2. Rosemount Museum: 113 miles / 1 hour 46 mins to drive from Denver | 280 miles / 4 hours 6 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
3. Museum of Friends: 162 miles / 2 hours 30 mins to drive from Denver | 231 miles / 3 hours 23 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
4. Taos Pueblo: 289 miles / 4 hours 40 mins to drive from Denver | 72.6 miles / 1 hour 37 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
5. El Santuario de Chimayo: 337 miles / 5 hours 45 mins to drive from Denver | 26.8 miles / 36 mins of driving to Santa Fe.

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

There are many excellent hotels during your Denver to Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe From Denver section.

• SCP Colorado Springs Hotel: 74.6 miles / 1 hour 14 mins to drive from Denver | 319 miles / 4 hours 37 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Pueblo: 110 miles / 1 hour 44 mins to drive from Denver | 283 miles / 4 hours 7 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
• Days Inn by Wyndham Colorado City: 138 miles / 2 hours 7 mins to drive from Denver | 255 miles / 3 hours 43 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
• The Historic Taos Inn: 288 miles / 4 hours 38 mins to drive from Denver | 69.8 miles / 1 hour 30 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
• Casa Escondida Bed & Breakfast: 337 miles / 5 hours 45 mins to drive from Denver | 28.9 miles / 39 mins of driving to Santa Fe.

Where To Eat Between Denver to Santa Fe?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Denver to Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe.

1. Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant: 70.8 miles / 1 hour 12 mins to drive from Denver | 321 miles / 4 hours 43 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
2. Mr. Tandoori Urban Bar and Grill: 114 miles / 1 hour 49 mins to drive from Denver | 279 miles / 4 hours 4 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
3. Three Sisters, Colorado City: 138 miles / 2 hours 7 mins to drive from Denver | 255 miles / 3 hours 42 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
4. Antonio’s The Taste of Mexico: 291 miles / 4 hours 45 mins to drive from Denver | 67.1 miles / 1 hour 22 mins of driving to Santa Fe.
5. Rancho De Chimayo Restaurante: 337 miles / 5 hours 44 mins to drive from Denver | 27.4 miles / 37 mins of driving to Santa Fe.

Conclusion

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

Share Your Thoughts

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