15 Day Road trip from Denver

[Bev Davies]

My boyfriend and I are planning a 15 day trip in mid October. We are looking at flying in to Denver. We are thinking roughly of Denver tyo Santa Fe, Grand Canyon, Vegas, and then back via Utah or Salt Lake Cirty. Is this too ambitious in 15 days? We did a 10 day 2,500 mile trip in California so driving long distances is not a worry. Any suggestions, possible problems or must see locations would be appreciated.

[lillibell]

My boyfriend and I are planning a 15 day trip in mid October. We are looking at flying in to Denver. We are thinking roughly of Denver tyo Santa Fe, Grand Canyon, Vegas, and then back via Utah or Salt Lake Cirty. Is this too ambitious in 15 days? We did a 10 day 2,500 mile trip in California so driving long distances is not a worry. Any suggestions, possible problems or must see locations would be appreciated.

Hi Bev we did a similar trip last year, Denver - Vail - Moab - Monument Valley - Grand Canyon - Las Vegas -Lake Powell - Durango - Silvertown - Durango - Colorado Springs 2,250 miles 14 nights, Don't think it is too ambitious, we spent 3 nights at Grand Canyon 3 nights at Las Vegas, 2 nights at Durango/Silvertown and 2 nights at Colorado springs all the others were one night stops. However with 4 people travelling together the unanimous vote was that we should have stayed at Lake Powell longer in the national park there, sunrises and sunsets were out of this world.

[Quebec Gen]

Hi Bev, welcome to the RTA Forum!

Is this too ambitious in 15 days? We did a 10 day 2,500 mile trip in California so driving long distances is not a worry.

You’re looking at a total of roughly 2090 miles (31h of driving). Divided by 15 days = ~139 miles a day. Looks totally reasonable to me since you are experienced long distance drivers.

Any suggestions, possible problems or must see locations would be appreciated.

Problems? Well, you might hit some snow in the Rockies but if you follow these tips, it’s shouldn’t be such a biggie.

Must sees along the way or that require side trips include :

Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO;
Million Dollar Highway, CO;
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, CO;
Rough Riders Memorial Collection, Las Vegas, New Mexico;
Santa Fe Plaza (Museums (ex. : Indian Arts), Palace of the Governors, Georgia O’Keefe, Missions (ex. : St. Francis));
Bobcat Bite, Santa Fe, NM (Green Chili ++);
Cowgirl Hall of Fame Grill, Santa Fe;
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, Cochiti Pueblo, NM;
Central Avenue (old Route 66) and Old Town, Albuquerque, NM;
Out of the Blue (Balloon Festival), Albuquerque, NM (From Oct 6 to 15);
El Malpais National Monument,Bandera Crater and Ice Caves, route 53 south of Grants, NM;
Petrified Forest NP, AZ;
Wigwam Motel, Holbrook, AZ;
Havasupai, AZ;
Road Kill Café, Seligman, AZ;
Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, NV;
Las Vegas Information, NV;
Light and Sound Show on Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV;
Stratosphere Tower, Las Vegas, NV;
Liberace Museum, Las Vegas, NV;
The Extraterrestrial Highwayand Area 51. NV;
Valley of Fire State Park,, NV;
Zion National Park, UT;
Bryce Canyon, Coral Dunes State Park and Grand Canyon (north rim), UT, AZ;
Great Basin NP, NV;
Temple Square, Salt Lake City, UT;
Arches NP, Canyonlands NPand Moab, UT (use the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (route 128));
Note : I-70 through UT and CO is particularly scenic
Colorado National Monument, CO;
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO;
Other Denver & Colorado suggestions

Have a great trip!
Gen