First Road Trip from San Diego to Denver, Colorado (Univ. of Denver)

Hello there. We are going to Denver this first week of June but instead of flying all the way down to Denver, we decided to go San Diego and do the road trip from there to Denver to view some nice places while driving. We actually don't have plan to stop over and look each nice places that we pass by while travelling. We just want to do the road trip to Denver because we thought it will be fun. This is the first time family vacation for all of us so we are renting a van (passenger capacity 15) from San Diego with 4 kids ages from 2 to 13 years old. Instead of doing the whole 15 hours straight of driving to go to Denver, we plan to stop in the middle where we can get some sleep and continue the next day early morning to arrive Denver before sunset if we can. At first, we wanted to stop at Las Vegas for sleep over then continue to Denver the next day but then later we decided that it is not a good idea to stop by there before the graduation so we decided to stop by in the middle between San Diego and Denver and based in my research is UTAH. We don't know anything about UTAH so any suggestions or help is very much appreciated. We wanted to know where is the best place or closest hotel or place (town/city) to stay overnight (fastest route to reach Denver) or is there a hotel on our way that we can just stop and check in? I am not familiar or not know at all the places in Utah so I am kind of hesitate to drive but everything already plan ahead and too late to back down. So, to make the story short, I need to make sure that we will not get lost or something in the middle of nowhere (you know what I mean :)). It is pretty exciting but scary at the same time because we are not familiar with the roads. Anyway, Is there a place you can recommend where we can stop and get some sleep for the night and continue the next morning to Denver? Any advise is very much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

The first thing you need to know is that under no circumstances could you ever make this drive in 15 hours. Best case, you're looking at 18-20 hours (likely a bit more considering you're a large group, in a large unstable van where lower speeds are required on the highway and each stop for foods/restrooms/etc will take longer). This is very much two very full days on the road, at the bare minimum.

Do you actually live in San Diego or are you planning to fly there and then start driving to Denver from there? If your plan is to fly to San Diego, I would strongly recommend you rethink your current plan.

I'll be honest, I love a roadtrip, but your plan doesn't sound like one that will be very fun. Sitting in a car all day long for 2 straight days just isn't that much fun, especially not for 4 small children. While there are some great views from the highway, if you want this to be a fun family trip, you need to plan for stops and do things that your children will remember for the right reasons. Your route goes past more than a half dozen National Parks, so there is no shortage of places you could visit to really make this a fun family trip - and not just a grueling drive. However, you'd need more than 2 days to really do that. Right now, I suspect, no one in your family will have much fun, and you're more likely to hate the idea of ever doing a roadtrip again than you will have anything resembling a vacation.

The direct route for this trip is about as simple as it gets: I-15 to I-70. The halfway point is between Cedar City and Beaver, Utah. You should have no trouble finding a hotel that meets your needs in either of those two cities. Those really are your only options to make this a safe trip.

Welcome to RTA!

It is in fact a full 2 day drive from San Diego to Denver - there is absolutely no way you can do it in 15 hours. It's almost 1100 miles, and to do it in 15 hours would require you to *average* 75 mph, which is impossible without an airplane. It's going to take 2 full days with 10+ hours each day on the road. This accounts for traffic, food stops, fuel stops, bathroom stops, and leg stretching stops.

The best halfway stop is Richfield, UT which has a decent selection of hotels. Use our hotel search on the right side of this page to see what's available.

Note: Don't leave Richfield without a full tank of fuel. There are no services or cell coverage between Salina and Green River, a stretch of 108 miles.

I'll chime in and agreed with GLC -- this is a 2 day drive. We do it quite often, as we live in San Diego County and use I-15 and I-70 to get to Missouri (or home from it). Our usual stop after leaving home is Richfield. There are a lot of motel choices there, lots of them with a pool that will make kids happy. (Our favorite is the Quality Inn, but there are choices of all price ranges.) We fuel up there before heading any further east ... these is gasoline in Salina, but usually at least a dime per gallon more expensive. There's a budget station in the middle of Richfield; the stations nearer to the freeway are a tad more expensive. Then we usually pick up the next bit of fuel in Grand Junction or Fruita (because until you get to Denver, gasoline is bit more expensive).

It usually takes us 10-11 hours to go from San Diego to Richfield, and that's leaving San Diego at 1 or 2 AM (to avoid rush hour in LA) and heading north on I-15. Richfield to Denver is another 8 hours down the line. Bear in mind, we travel with just 2 adults. Add 4 kids to the mix and your bathroom stops get more frequent and take longer. So, no way is SAN to DEN a 15 hour drive!!!!


Donna

The reason I would not recommend Richfield for this trip is because it is about 620 miles from San Diego and quite a bit beyond halfway. Factoring in that this trip will be in a giant cargo van with 6 people including 4 kids, that's just too far imho. You're talking 12-13 hours just to get to Richfield, realistically in this situation. Beaver is about as close to halfway as you could get and still has quite a few hotels to pick from. Cedar City is a little less than halfway, but still leave you less than 600 miles from Denver.

Have you already booked your flights and rental ? I agree with Michael that this is going to be a long drive for the Kids, more so than what I would describe as a Roadtrip adventure. Why I ask is because I think it would be a whole lot more fun if you flew into Salt Lake City, or even Las Vegas and had less miles to drive and more time out of the vehicle.

fnj04,

San Diego to Denver can be done in two days, but that won't leave you any time to explore all the wonderful national parks and other places along the route. However, you will see some good scenery. If you can give the trip more days that would be highly beneficial in my opinion. Or, as others have wisely suggested, shorten the journey.

Have you looked at this on a map (either online or paper, whichever you prefer)? I think that would be an extrtemely good idea.

The most direct route is:
San Diego
I-15 North
(probably use I-285 through San Bernardino)
Barstow
Las Vegas
St George
Cedar City
Beaver
Cove Fort
I-70 East
Grand Junction
Glenwood Springs
Denver

I-215, John, rather than I-285. However, I never recommend going that way unless you have business in the Colton/San Bernardino area. There seems to be about the same amount of traffic. However, it is very easy to miss the intersections and stay on I-215 unless you are very familiar with it. Hubby used to use I-215 when he was truck-driving, because of the location of his trucking company. He hated it, and prefers I-15 to this day. BTW, we found out that AAA of Southern California agrees with him: they route people up I-15 without jumping over to the 215, for the same reasons!

OK, Michael, I concede to you that Cedar City or Beaver might be a better stop with a van and only a destination of Denver. However, I do know Richfield a lot better than either one, because of our experience staying there over the past 25+ years. The only time we ever stayed in Cedar City was with our 5W trailer.


Donna

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

I-215, John, rather than I-285.

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Well spotted, and very useful additional comments.

Very much as above. Forcing children to sit in a motor vehicle for hours on end, two days in a row would not be viewed in a bright light by any child care authority.

You make it clear that you do not know anything about UT and have used computer mapping programs to forumlate your plans. I suggest that you go visit the AAA to get some really good detailed maps of UT and CO, and sit with the family to study it, see what is on offer along the way. Use the computer to research each attraction, park, forest, etc., not just towns and cities.

Whenever we travelled long distances with our five children we never went more than two hours between stops to give the children time to blow of pent up steam. A stop at a fun place about every two hours would make this a memorable trip for your children. If you are not able to find the extra time to really make this a great trip, I suggest you revert to your previous method of getting to Denver, and book airline tickets.

Lifey

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Originally Posted by Midwest Michael

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

The first thing you need to know is that under no circumstances could you ever make this drive in 15 hours. Best case, you're looking at 18-20 hours (likely a bit more considering you're a large group, in a large unstable van where lower speeds are required on the highway and each stop for foods/restrooms/etc will take longer). This is very much two very full days on the road, at the bare minimum.

Do you actually live in San Diego or are you planning to fly there and then start driving to Denver from there? If your plan is to fly to San Diego, I would strongly recommend you rethink your current plan.

I'll be honest, I love a roadtrip, but your plan doesn't sound like one that will be very fun. Sitting in a car all day long for 2 straight days just isn't that much fun, especially not for 4 small children. While there are some great views from the highway, if you want this to be a fun family trip, you need to plan for stops and do things that your children will remember for the right reasons. Your route goes past more than a half dozen National Parks, so there is no shortage of places you could visit to really make this a fun family trip - and not just a grueling drive. However, you'd need more than 2 days to really do that. Right now, I suspect, no one in your family will have much fun, and you're more likely to hate the idea of ever doing a roadtrip again than you will have anything resembling a vacation.

The direct route for this trip is about as simple as it gets: I-15 to I-70. The halfway point is between Cedar City and Beaver, Utah. You should have no trouble finding a hotel that meets your needs in either of those two cities. Those really are your only options to make this a safe trip.

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Thank you Michael for the suggestions. It really helps a lot. Like what I mentioned above, it is too late to change because flight is already booked and we are flying to San Diego. Our total days in the mainland is 12 days. We will actually attend a graduation in denver first, (that's our main purpose) then drive to Las Vegas for 3 nights after, Disneyland for 3 nights after Las Vegas, and San Diego for 2 nights after Disney then fly back home. The first couple of days probably is not fun to the kids because they have to sit down that long but they will enjoy after Denver. Thank you.

Thank you so much for your suggestion as well especially for letting us know that Salina and Green River doesn't have the cell coverage. I guess that is one of the most important to know. Thank you. Like what I mentioned to Midwest Michael, we will be staying in the west coast for 12 days and after denver, adults and kids will have fun. We will be stopping at Las Vegas for 3 nights, Disneyland for 3 nights as well, and San Diego for 2 nights then back home. I am a little worried about the kids but I am pretty sure they will be ok after Denver and next time we will come back, we make sure not to do long road trip again, but of course that depends on the situation again. :)

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Originally Posted by Southwest Dave

Have you already booked your flights and rental ? I agree with Michael that this is going to be a long drive for the Kids, more so than what I would describe as a Roadtrip adventure. Why I ask is because I think it would be a whole lot more fun if you flew into Salt Lake City, or even Las Vegas and had less miles to drive and more time out of the vehicle.

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Yes, all are purchased and booked before I asked here and too late to cancel. The kids probably will not have fun for this 2 days road trip but they will be after Denver. We will be stopping at Las Vegas for 3 nights and Disney for 3 nights as well then 2 nights to San Diego before fly back home. The kids will have fun after Denver for sure. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fnj04

next time we will come back, we make sure not to do long road trip again, but of course that depends on the situation again. :)

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Just to be clear, no one here will ever tell you shouldn't do a roadtrip. We WANT you to do roadtrips, and we want you and your family to LOVE doing roadtrips!

What we don't want is you to put your family in a position where they are so miserable that they never want to do a roadtrip again! I don't think you are necessarily there, but as has been said, those 2 hard days of driving, especially after a long flight (the previous day I hope?) will be a challenge.

The great part that you never mentioned before is all the time you have later on! You've got 12 days available, and you should take advantage of them! There is so much more to the US than just cities and theme parks, especially between Denver and Las Vegas. To me, it would be a real shame to have that kind of time and not spend some of it exploring the natural wonders you'll find nowhere else on earth - places like Arches and Canyonlands, the Million Dollar Highway, The ruins of Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, and of course, the Grand Canyon, just to name some of your options. That's where you can get start getting into a real fun roadtrip!

Hi Donna,

I am considering driving from San Diego to Littleton, CO and although I don't want to sound like a scardey cat I was wondering if the drive through the mountains is intimidating? For example very narrow and steep roads. Thanks for any help. :)

Welcome to the RTA Forum, ademerse!

If you are sticking to the Interstates there are no very narrow or steep roads anywhere. They are all at least 4 lanes wide, with shoulders, and built with limited grades. That is true even while crossing the rockies on I-70.

Thank you so much!! :)

San Diego to Littleton on the interstate is a piece of cake drive, nothing steep or narrow, and it is gorgeous. Some of the most beautiful scenery along an interstate is I-70 between Salina, UT and Denver! The only thing to be concerned about is to make sure you are fueled up (car and bodies) and made a potty stop, at Salina when heading east. Between Salina and Green River UT is 108 miles of no services. One of the rest areas has a porta-potty and that's about it.

It's about a 2-day drive to Denver from here. We stay in Richfield, UT, by choice, but you could easily just stop at Cedar City or Beaver overnight, and make it to Denver the next day.


Donna