Chicago to Aspen road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time

The best road trip stops on the Chicago to Aspen drive are Des Moines IA, North Platte NE and Denver CO. The distance from Chicago to Aspen by car is 1,196 miles, with an 18 hour driving time.

Planning a Chicago to Aspen road trip

The Chicago to Aspen drive takes you from the biggest city in Illinois to the snowfields of Colorado.

Chicago’s skyscrapers, music scene and massive collection of cultural attractions make it arguably the most exciting city in the US to visit.

Highly recommended Chicago experiences include an architecture river cruise, a gangsters and ghosts tour of famous Mob sites and a bike tour of the lakefront neighbourhoods. It’s also worth paying a visit to the Field Museum, the 360 Chicago observation deck at the Hancock Tower and the Chicago Architecture Center.

Recommended Chicago hotels include the Club Quarters Central Loop for astonishingly good value. Also consider the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile for its amazing, historic pool, and the entertainingly science-themed Hotel EMC2.

Of the Colorado ski resorts, Aspen is the one with the star power. But it also has a sense of heritage grandeur, and cultural leanings. You’ll find ballet, art museums, concerts and theatre here, alongside the snow.

For skiers, four mountains are linked together with 336 trails and 46 lifts. For non-skiers, there are ghost tours, history tours, yoga classes, fat biking, ice climbing and fly fishing.

You will almost certainly need to book your Aspen accommodation in advance. Look for the best deals here.

Chicago to Aspen distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Chicago to Aspen is 1,196 miles. That makes for a driving time of around 18 hours. The quickest route largely follows the I-88, I-80, I-76 and I-70.

The best stops to add to a Chicago to Aspen road trip itinerary are Des Moines IA, North Platte NE and Denver CO.

Our favourite thing to do in Chicago

The Chicago architecture cruise has a phenomenal wow factor, with the boat gliding between some of the world’s most legendary skyscrapers.

We found the commentary matches the views, too. Expect a fascinating run-down of the city’s history – and plenty of surprising detail about the buildings you’re seeing.

Book mobile-friendly tickets here.

Chicago to Aspen drive: Des Moines, Iowa

Good things to do in Des Moines include the Adventureland Resort theme park, the Science Center of Iowa and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

Also worth a look are the Iowa State Capital, Des Moines Art Center and Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

For Des Moines accommodation with great reviews, try the Hotel Fort and the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel.

Best stops between Chicago and Aspen: North Platte, Nebraska

North Platte NE is officially home to the largest railroad yard in the world, and you can get a panoramic view over the Bailey Yard from the Golden Spike Tower. Exhibits within the tower celebrate the Union Pacific Railroad, which operates across 23 states.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bill Ranch was the former home of William Cody. Better known as Buffalo Bill, Cody was one of the great characters of the Wild West – a buffalo hunter, a Pony Express rider and a shameless showman.