Grand Junction to Denver drive: Distance, time & best stops

The best road trip stops on the Grand Junction to Denver drive are Glenwood Springs, Vail and Idaho Springs. The distance from Grand Junction to Denver by car is 243 miles, with a 3h55m driving time.

Planning a Grand Junction to Denver road trip itinerary

The Grand Junction to Denver drive takes you across the Rocky Mountains to the capital of Colorado.

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.

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.

Grand Junction to Denver distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Grand Junction to Denver is 243 miles. That makes for a driving time of around three hours and 55 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-70.

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

Grand Junction to Denver 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.

Best stops between Grand Junction and Denver: 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 tours, snow sledding and downhill mountain bike tours. You can also try fly-fishing trips and escape rooms.

Compare prices for Vail accommodation here.

Grand Junction to Denver drive: Idaho Springs

Idaho Springs is a former gold mining town in the mountains. You can learn about that gold mining past on a tour to the ARGO Gold Mill and Mine.

These days, however, the town is something of an adventure sports hotspot. Whitewater rafting on Clear Creek is particularly popular, and you can try it at beginner, intermediate or advanced level.

Other Idaho Springs experience options include via ferrata climbing on Mount Evans, the cliffside zipline and Jeep tours.