Denver to Moab road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time

Planning a Denver to Moab road trip itinerary

The Denver to Moab drive crosses the Rocky Mountains from the Colorado capital to Utah’s outdoor activities hub.

Top Denver experiences include Rocky Mountain National Park day tours, downtown Denver food tours and chilling guided ghost walks around the Cheeseman Park cemetery.

Also worth considering are whiskey and history tours, guided mountain hikes and craft beer tours.

Memorable Denver accommodation options include the charming Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast and the strikingly stylish Ramble.

All-action Moab offers 4×4 adventures in Arches National Park, rafting on the Colorado River, half day trips into the rugged ranges of Canyonlands National Park and e-bike petroglyph tours. For other Moab experiences, try drive-your-own-Jeep tours, canyoneering adventures and paddleboarding on the Colorado. 

Of the Moab accommodation options, the Moab Resort offers style and panache and the Inca Inn is a solid, affordable motel.

Denver to Moab distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Denver to Moab is 355 miles. You can expect a driving time of around five hours and 36 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-70 and US-191.

The best stops to add to a Denver to Moab road trip itinerary are Vail, Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction.

Best stops between Denver and Moab: Vail

Purpose-built, European-style ski village Vail is the biggest ski resort in Colorado, and arguably gets the best of the conditions. This is particularly the case with the legendary powder in the Back Bowl.

But a major part of the appeal is that you don’t have to strap on the skis at all. Top Vail experiences include Segway tourssnow sledding and downhill mountain bike tours. You can also try fly-fishing trips and escape rooms.

Compare prices for Vail accommodation here.

Denver to Moab road trip attractions: Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs CO is a mountain resort town, famous for its hot springs. For a soak, try the Iron Mountain Hot Springs or Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.

Walkers can take on the hikes to Doc Holliday’s Grave or the photogenic Hanging Lake, while the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers cave tours and thrill rides.

It’s also a great spot for rafting on the Colorado River. Choose between a gentle half day float through the canyon or tackling the rapids on a whitewater adventure.

Due to the massive hot springs pool, the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is the best place to stay in Glenwood Springs. But you may be able to get better deals on alternative accommodation in the town.

Denver to Moab drive: Grand Junction

Grand Junction has several craft breweries to enjoy, but it is also the main hub of Colorado’s wine industry. The Whitewater Hill Vineyards is a good spot for tastings.

On the museums front, the Eureka McConnell Science Museum is all about button-pushing discovery. The Museum of the West covers regional history.

The highlight of Grand Junction, however, is the Colorado National Monument. Here, the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive connects stunning mesas and canyons for a proper taste of the American West.

For overnight Grand Junction accommodation, the La Quinta Inn and Hotel Maverick are really well-reviewed by guests.

Arches National Park near Moab, Utah.
Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. Photo by David Whitley/ Best3Stops.

More Denver road trips

Denver to Albuquerque | Amarillo to Denver | Denver to Arches National Park | Denver to Aspen | Atlanta to Denver | Denver to Beaver Creek | Denver to Breckenridge | Denver to Cedar Rapids | Denver to Cheyenne | Denver to Chicago | Cincinnati to Denver | Denver to Colorado Springs | Denver to Copper Mountain | Dallas to Denver | Denver to Des Moines | Denver to El Paso | Denver to Estes Park | Denver to Flagstaff | Denver to Fort Collins | Denver to Frisco CO | Denver to Garden of the Gods | Denver to Glenwood Springs | Denver to Granby CO | Grand Junction to Denver | Houston to Denver | Denver to Idaho Springs | Indianapolis to Denver | Kansas City to Denver | Denver to Keystone | Denver to Laramie.

Denver to Madison WI | Nashville to Denver | Oklahoma City to Denver | Denver to Omaha | Philadelphia to Denver | Denver to Phoenix | Denver to Pikes Peak | Denver to Pittsburgh | Pueblo CO to Denver | Denver to Salt Lake City | Denver to San Antonio | Denver to Santa Fe | Denver to Scottsdale | Denver to Sedona | Denver to Silverthorne | Denver to Springfield MO | Denver to St Louis | Denver to Topeka | Tucson to Denver | Tulsa to Denver | Denver to Vail | Denver to Wichita | Denver to Winter Park CO.

More Moab road trips

Grand Junction to Moab | Salt Lake City to Moab.