Tucson to Denver road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops

The best road trip stops on the Tucson to Denver drive are Deming NM, Albuquerque NM and Raton NM. The distance from Tucson to Denver is 899 miles, with a 13h driving time.

Planning a Tucson to Denver road trip itinerary

The Tucson to Denver drive takes you from the Sonoran Desert in Arizona to the capital of Colorado.

Tucson is often used as a base for exploring the Sonoran Desert. But it’s a proper city with an arty streak, a Spanish-tinged history and excellent Mexican food.

Top Tucson experiences include exploring the city’s many murals, taking a self-guided audio tour through Saguaro National Park and canyoneering at Mt Lemmon.

There are also several good bike tours you can do in and around Tucson. Choose from a history-focused ride through the city, e-biking in Saguaro National Park and taco-tasting on two wheels.

For resort-style accommodation in Tucson, take a look at the impressive Casino Del Sol Resort. To stay downtown, within walking distance of several restaurants, try the Leo Kent Hotel.

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.

Tucson to Denver distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Tucson to Denver drive is 899 miles. That makes for a driving time of around 13 hours. The quickest route is along the I-10 and I-25.

The best stops to add to a Tucson to Denver road trip itinerary are Deming NM, Albuquerque NM and Raton NM.

For more suggestions, check out the guides to the Tucson to Albuquerque drive and Albuquerque to Denver drive.

Tucson to Denver road trip attractions: Deming NM

If you want to know more about the backstory of life in the Chihuahuan desert, the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum is pretty good as local history museums go. But Deming NM’s best attractions are two state parks. The City of Rocks State Park is to the north-west, with giant, wind-sculpted, volcanic ash boulders the main lure. The Rockhound State Park is to the southeast. Based around the Little Florida Mountains, it’s a better bet for hiking and camping.

You can also stop for wine-tasting at the Luna Rossa Winery.

Best stops between Tucson and Denver: Albuquerque NM

Fabulous Albuquerque experiences include a sunrise hot air balloon flight, old town ghost walks, nature tours by bike and guided hops between craft breweries . You can also pay a visit to the castle-like Turquoise Museum and old town food tours focusing on New Mexican flavours.

Great Albuquerque accommodation choices include the historic, adobe-style Casas de Suenos and the old town’s art-filled Hotel Chaco.

Tucson to Denver drive: Raton NM

Raton NM lies just to the south of the scenic, 7,834ft-elevation Raton Pass, which straddles the Colorado/ New Mexico border. This was once one of the key points on the Santa Fe Trail. There’s a scenic overlook on the Colorado side, and a camp and café on the New Mexico side.

Raton is also the gateway to the Sugarite Canyon State Park, which offers all manner of outdoor activities and plenty of wildlife viewing.

Denver, Colorado. Photo by Chachpond/ Pixabay.

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Tucson to Denver road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops

Planning a Tucson to Denver road trip itinerary

Tucson to Denver distance and driving time

Tucson to Denver road trip attractions: Deming NM

Best stops between Tucson and Denver: Albuquerque NM

Tucson to Denver drive: Raton NM

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