Denver To Telluride Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

Traveling from Denver to Telluride is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 362 miles of a road trip from Denver to Telluride takes around 6 hours and 11 mins of driving without stops.

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

5 Best Hotels On The Way From Denver To Telluride

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

1. Tivoli Lodge: Tivoli Lodge is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the road trip from Denver to Telluride. Driving from Denver to Tivoli Lodge might take around 1 hour and 44 mins. Nestled in the heart of Vail Village, the Tivoli Lodge offers a luxurious ski resort experience known for its friendly and personal service. The new European-style architecture blends perfectly into the surrounding natural environment, with unobstructed views of Vail’s Golden Peak ski area and within steps of the Vista Bahn ski lift. Check the Tivoli Lodge, one of the best hotels in Vail, Colorado, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Glenwood Springs Inn: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Telluride from Denver is Glenwood Springs Inn. Located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, the hotel is 158 miles away from Denver, and it would take 2 hours and 40 mins to drive. The hotel offers clean and affordable rooms close to all of the major attractions in Glenwood. If you want to learn more about the Glenwood Springs Inn, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction is located in Grand Junction, Colorado, and it’s 243 miles away from Denver. You can arrive there in 3 hours 50 mins of non-stop driving. La Quinta Grand Junction Hotel features a 24-hour front desk, express check-in and check-out, convenience store, pool, and complimentary breakfast. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction for more information.
4. Super 8 by Wyndham Montrose: If you are taking the road trip from Denver to Telluride, Montrose, Colorado is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Super 8 by Wyndham Montrose is one of the best hotels in town. It is Super 8 by Wyndham Montrose, 297 miles from Denver, and it would take 4 hours and 52 mins to drive. The Super 8 Montrose is a newly renovated hotel with modern design and amenities to ensure perfect comfort for guests. If you need more info about the price and availability of Super 8 by Wyndham Montrose, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Ridgway Lodge and Star Saloon: Our next hotel is Ridgway Lodge and Star Saloon, Ridgway, Colorado. It will take 5 hours 22 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Denver. Ridgway Lodge and Star Saloon are the perfect places to stay if you want to experience the charm of small, friendly towns, fantastic hiking, skiing opportunities, and more natural beauty than you can see in a lifetime. Check the Ridgway Lodge and Star Saloon on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Ridgway Lodge and Star Saloon for reviews, prices, and availability.

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

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

5 Best Restaurants On The Way To Telluride From Denver

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

1. Swiss Chalet – Vail: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Denver to Telluride with Swiss Chalet – Vail. Swiss Chalet – Vail is located in Vail, Colorado, 96.8 miles from Denver. It would take 1 hour 42 mins of driving. Regional hearty favorites such as Schnitzel and delicious fondues are a delectable dining experience rich in flavor and aroma, with their award-winning Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence” list of over 1,000 selections. For more information about Swiss Chalet – Vail, you can visit TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Swiss Chalet – Vail.
2. Riviera Scratch Kitchen: Riviera Scratch Kitchen is another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Telluride from Denver. Located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Riviera Scratch Kitchen is 157 miles from Denver and would take 2 hours and 37 mins of driving. The Riviera Supper Club and Scratch Kitchen is a well-known restaurant in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The restaurant has won multiple awards for its food, wine, and elegant interior. The seasonal menu changes regularly to focus on local ingredients, making it a great place to eat if you’re looking for something different each time you visit. If you want to learn more about Riviera Scratch Kitchen, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Bin 707 Foodbar: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Bin 707 Foodbar. It will take 3 hours 58 mins of car drive to take 244 miles from Denver to Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction, Colorado. Bin 707 Foodbar is proud to source its food from local, Colorado, and domestic sources to create a unique, thoughtful, and accessible experience time and time again. In 2018 and 2019, Bin 707 was recognized by Good Food 100 as a “Leader” in sustainability within the restaurant industry. For more information, you can check Bin 707 Foodbar on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
4. Ted Nelson’s Steakhouse: Ted Nelson’s Steakhouse deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Montrose, Colorado. The steakhouse proudly serves Certified Angus Beef and has a variety of other choices on its menu to please almost any palate or discerning taste. In addition, they create tasty, new specials and change their weekly menu to accommodate the latest seasonal varieties. Ted Nelson’s Steakhouse is 297 miles from Denver, and it would take 4 hours and 53 minutes of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Ted Nelson’s Steakhouse, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. True Grit Cafe: If you enjoy dining, True Grit Cafe would be an excellent choice in Ridgway, Colorado. It’s 323 miles from Denver and would take 5 hours and 22 mins of car driving. True Grit Cafe is a 25-year-old Western Colorado restaurant specializing in cowboy cuisine. It’s a comfortable, western environment with friendly staff who will make you feel at home. If you want to learn more about the True Grit Cafe, 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 Telluride. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 362 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 Telluride 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 Telluride. Keep reading.

5 Places To Visit On The Way From Denver To Telluride

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

• Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Denver to Telluride road trip. Located in Vail, Colorado, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is 95.9 miles away from Denver, and it would take 1 hour and 43 mins to drive. The Vail Alpine Botanical Garden is a beautiful botanical garden at the foot of Vail Mountain. It is open to the public and features an incredible array of flowers, informative signage, and handicap-accessible facilities. It is an excellent place for families to visit, and it’s also perfect for anyone interested in learning about plants and their natural ecosystems. If you want to learn more about the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Hanging Lake Trail: Hanging Lake Trail, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on the Denver to Telluride route. It’s 156 miles from Denver, and it’ll take about 2 hours and 37 mins of driving. Planning your hike to Hanging Lake later in the season will ensure you get the time and day you want. If you want to learn more about Hanging Lake Trail, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Downtown Grand Junction: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Denver to Telluride is Grand Junction, Colorado. And if you visit Grand Junction, Colorado, we suggest you visit Downtown Grand Junction. You can arrive at Downtown Grand Junction after 3 hours 58 mins of driving. This charming town displays public art, fountains, and historic buildings along tree-lined streets. Local cuisine, unique gifts, and relaxing family fun are all available here as well. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Downtown Grand Junction for more information.
• Museum of the Mountain West: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit the Museum of the Mountain West, Montrose, Colorado, on the road trip from Denver to Telluride. Museum of the Mountain West is 269 miles from Denver, and you can arrive there after the 4 hours and 55 mins of drive. The Museum of the Mountain West collects, preserves, restores and displays historic buildings and artifacts from throughout the American West. The museum’s mission is to educate children and adults about the region’s history. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of the Museum of the Mountain West before going there.
• Ridgway State Park: Located in Ridgway, Colorado, Ridgway State Park ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the Telluride road trip. You must take 5 hours 11 mins of driving to arrive at Ridgway State Park. This park has a variety of activities, from camping and boating to hiking and fishing. The views are spectacular. You can take amazing photos of the scenery around the lake and river here. If you want to learn more about Ridgway State Park, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Denver to Telluride

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

How Long Is The Road Trip From Denver To Telluride?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 6 hours and 11 mins to drive. The distance between Denver to Telluride is 362 miles.
• If you want to make the Denver to Telluride road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be one day, 10 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Denver-Telluride route, you will have to walk for eight hours for four days and 8 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Denver To Telluride?

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

1. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: 95.9 miles / 1 hour 43 mins to drive from Denver | 267 miles / 4 hours 32 mins of driving to Telluride.
2. I am hanging Lake Trail: 156 miles / 2 hours 37 mins to drive from Denver | 215 miles / 3 hours 46 mins of driving to Telluride.
3. Downtown Grand Junction: 244 miles / 3 hours 58 mins to drive from Denver | 126 miles / 2 hours 26 mins of driving to Telluride.
4. Museum of the Mountain West: 269 miles / 4 hours 55 mins to drive from Denver | 68.6 miles / 1 hour 26 mins of driving to Telluride.
5. Ridgway State Park: 314 miles / 5 hours 11 mins to drive from Denver | 43.6 miles / 55 mins of driving to Telluride.

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

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

• Tivoli Lodge: 97.3 miles / 1 hour 44 mins to drive from Denver | 267 miles / 4 hours 34 mins of driving to Telluride.
• Glenwood Springs Inn: 158 miles / 2 hours 40 mins to drive from Denver | 206 miles / 3 hours 36 mins of driving to Telluride.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Grand Junction: 243 miles / 3 hours 50 mins to drive from Denver | 132 miles / 2 hours 34 mins of driving to Telluride.
• Super 8 by Wyndham Montrose: 297 miles / 4 hours 52 mins to drive from Denver | 66.8 miles / 1 hour 23 mins of driving to Telluride.
• Ridgway Lodge and Star Saloon: 323 miles / 5 hours 22 mins to drive from Denver | 39.7 miles / 52 mins of driving to Telluride.

Where To Eat Between Denver to Telluride?

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

1. Swiss Chalet – Vail: 96.8 miles / 1 hour 42 mins to drive from Denver | 266 miles / 4 hours 31 mins of driving to Telluride.
2. Riviera Scratch Kitchen: 157 miles / 2 hours 37 mins to drive from Denver | 206 miles / 3 hours 35 mins of driving to Telluride.
3. Bin 707 Foodbar: 244 miles / 3 hours 58 mins to drive from Denver | 126 miles / 2 hours 27 mins of driving to Telluride.
4. Ted Nelson’s Steakhouse: 297 miles / 4 hours 53 mins to drive from Denver | 66.6 miles / 1 hour 24 mins of driving to Telluride.
5. True Grit Cafe: 323 miles / 5 hours 22 mins to drive from Denver | 39.2 miles / 51 mins of driving to Telluride.

Conclusion

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

Share Your Thoughts

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

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