Driving through colorado

[cpdrn7]

I am driving from Iowa to Arizona...and when I mapquest it, there are two routes that interest me. One is to drive through Denver and the other is to drive down by Colorado Springs.
I am wondering if we will get a good enough view of the mountains if we skip doing through Denver.
If you have any suggestions, I am totally open to it.
I have never driven near, through, or around a mountain so I want to experience it.
Thanks in advance!!!

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

If you are driving south on I 25 through Colorado springs (and bypassing driving through the city of Denver), you will definitely "see" plenty of the Front Range mountains but you will not drive "through" them. You can make a short stop at the Air Force Academy or Garden of the Gods to get a better "feel" for our region. Feel free to message me if you have more questions.

 

[mj70148]

Colorado Springs! Denver has a beautiful view of mtns from a distance, but is relatively flat. I suggest stopping at Garden of the Gods as previous poster suggests. It's utterly gorgeous, i've spent many hours there as a local when I lived there!

 

[maxaroni]

We flew into Denver but stayed in Colorado Springs. Loved it. So beautiful. We did the Air Force Academy and Garden of the Gods. Both are so worth it if you have time. While there we also drove up Pikes Peak, went up by cog train and also bicycled down. DH and DS did fly fishing and white water rafting. We also did a hot air balloon ride.

 

[Ranger111]

When are you going? Know that while the highways are kept in pretty good shape, snow storms can happen fast and furious for the next couple months. Yes, Iowa does get snow, but, it is nothing like the snow you can see in the high mountain passes of the Intermountain West.

You will be fine, for sure, but, if the weather looks "iffy" wait a day or so...

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Are you south of Des Moines? Are you coming across on 80 or going south to Kansas and then I-70? You will not go through the Rocky Mountains either way. The furthest west you will go is I-25. We just returned from Phoenix today - driving - clear and 70 degress the whole way. But we can get snow into April. Raton Pass would be the only issue.

If you are going straight south from Iowa, wouldn't it make more sense to go through Oklahoma City into Albuquerque?

If Colorado is your goal, then coming through Omaha and then down through Denver on I-25 would make sense. You go through the Springs that way anyway. If you come across to the Springs on I-70 then 24, you will bypass Denver. The view west from I-25 from Denver or the Springs is pretty, but you are a ways away from the mountains in reality. When we drive to and from Cedar Rapids, we always go through Omaha and into Denver that way. You will have the mountains as a back drop a little longer that way IMHO.

 

[missmissy]

I would take I-70 to Limon Co, then take Highway 24 into Colorado Springs. You would be able to see Pikes Peak. If you have time to stop, I would go to the Manitou Springs area. Like others have said I would go to Garden of the Gods. Manitou Springs downtown is great they have shopping, restaurants and a HUGH indoor outdoor Arcade with new and old games. They sill have a lot of games that are 25 cents, but they also had some 10 cent pinball machines.

 

[CopperWife]

Did you ask this question on the Transportation Board? I know you have several responses, but they love to talk about this type of stuff over there and have been great when I've had my own questions

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I would take I-70 to Limon Co, then take Highway 24 into Colorado Springs. You would be able to see Pikes Peak. If you have time to stop, I would go to the Manitou Springs area. Like others have said I would go to Garden of the Gods. Manitou Springs downtown is great they have shopping, restaurants and a HUGH indoor outdoor Arcade with new and old games. They sill have a lot of games that are 25 cents, but they also had some 10 cent pinball machines.

Agree with this. There isn't much to see between Denver & Co Springs except lots of traffic. Jump off I70 at Limon & head for Co Springs.

 

[marthachick]

I am from a very small town. We went to Denver last year and I was overwhelmed at driving in Denver! We stayed 2 nights there and didn't move the car from the time we checked in to hotel until we left for the airport. The traffic in Las Vegas wasn't nearly as bad to me. But it may have been the areas I was driving in.

 

[JenB1104]

Another vote for Colorado Springs - we live here and love the views. You will be closer to mountains and another vote for Garden of the Gods if you have time. Know that taking 24 from I70 is a two lane road that goes through a lot of small towns with lower speed limits.

 

[jedijill]

Don't be surprised. You won't see a mountain until Limon on I-70...There are a lot of miles of prairie in Eastern Colorado!

Denver traffic isn't fun but Colorado Springs is worse! Just avoid rush hour.

Jill in CO

 

[StitchBuddy]

Personally, I have lived in both areas. I would drive to Denver and then down to Colorado Springs. It's pett the whole way!

 

[marthachick]

Denver traffic isn't fun but Colorado Springs is worse! Just avoid rush hour.

Jill in CO

Yikes! We didn't get to Colorado Springs. Maybe next trip!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Don't be surprised. You won't see a mountain until Limon on I-70...There are a lot of miles of prairie in Eastern Colorado!

Denver traffic isn't fun but Colorado Springs is worse! Just avoid rush hour.

Jill in CO

We used to refer to the Eastern part of CO as "West Kansas". It's exactly the same, but the highway isn't as good LOL.

 

[jedijill]

We used to refer to the Eastern part of CO as "West Kansas". It's exactly the same, but the highway isn't as good LOL.

Yep...I just drove it last week from Kansas City. 8 hours of windmills, oil wells, and cows.

Jill in CO

 

[FINFAN]

I would take I-70 to Limon Co, then take Highway 24 into Colorado Springs. You would be able to see Pikes Peak. If you have time to stop, I would go to the Manitou Springs area. Like others have said I would go to Garden of the Gods. Manitou Springs downtown is great they have shopping, restaurants and a HUGH indoor outdoor Arcade with new and old games. They sill have a lot of games that are 25 cents, but they also had some 10 cent pinball machines.

ITA..Manitou Springs is groovy and Garden of The Gods makes you feel like you are away from it all when you are just blocks from it all, lol. A little preview to Sedona if that's on your route in AZ. Even if you don't stay the night , try and see it. If you do stay there is Hyatt Place 5 minutes from the entrance.

 

[cjparker0110]

As a MN who went to CO (various places) on my honeymoon, I would definitely recommend Colorado Springs. Denver is okay, but the traffic alone can be annoying and it really just seemed typical to me. I thought the drive in the CO Springs area was much nicer and more scenic. If you get hungry you can even stop at a restaurant that is actually a WWII plane!! The food is ok (nothing special) but it's worth it to eat in the plane. Lots of great places to stop and see in that area. If you insist on going through Denver, check with someone who knows where to go so that you head in the direction of Estes Park. The drive out there was beautiful as well.

 

[kathy884]

Another word of warning: On I-70 in eastern Colorado you would think you were in Kansas. It's so flat. There are no mountains till after Denver. And you have a couple of hours of that. People say driving through Kansas is bad. But to me the worst is eastern Colorado because I have this preconceived notion that now that I'm in Colorado that I should see mountains. lol