The Great Escape: How to Road Trip to Denver From Every Direction
(and Actually Enjoy It)
Fill up the tank. This summer, we’re ditching the TSA line and answering the open road’s call. And where’s the road headed? Denver, baby. Queen of the Rockies. Mile High and full of great vibes.
If you're craving wild landscapes, city culture, music under the stars, or just a reason to shake up your routine - Denver delivers. And the best part? You don’t need a plane ticket to get there. Whether you're rolling out from Texas, cruising in from the Midwest, or dipping down from the North, Denver is the kind of destination that feels earned when you arrive with wind-blown hair and a few gas station snacks in your cupholder.
Here’s how to make the most of the ride—no matter where you’re starting.
Texas to Denver: The Big Sky Breakout
Route Highlights: Austin → Santa Fe→ Raton Pass → Colorado Springs → Denver
Distance: ~900 miles from Austin (about 14 hours of drive time)
Texas is a beast, but once you’ve escaped its sprawl, the wide-open roads become pure magic. From the hill country to high desert, this route is a slow-burn thriller - ending in mile-high elevation and a cold beer with a view.
Must-Stops:
Santa Fe, NM: The best green chile and high dessert vibes that are truly enchanting,
Palo Duro Canyon: A dramatic detour for a sunrise hike - Texas’ answer to the Grand Canyon.
Capulin Volcano National Monument (NM): Stretch your legs by walking a literal volcano rim.
Colorado Springs, CO: Hit Garden of the Gods and remember why you came.
Pro Tips:
Leave early and plan your overnight in Santa Fe if you want to break it up.
You will lose cell service in northern New Mexico - download your music, your maps, and your audiobooks ahead of time.
Midwest to Denver: Flat Roads, Big Rewards
Route Highlights: Chicago → Des Moines → Omaha → North Platte → Denver
Distance: ~1,000 miles from Chicago (about 15 hours)
We won’t sugarcoat it, but some parts of this route are boring. But that’s what playlists are for. Once you power past the cornfields, you’ll hit the open skies of Nebraska and watch the Rockies rise from the horizon like a movie scene.
Must-Stops:
Iowa 80 Truck Stop: The world’s largest truck stop. Weirdly delightful.
Joslyn Castle (Omaha, NE): An unexpected detour into Gilded Age grandeur.
Buffalo Bill Ranch (North Platte, NE): Because why not go full Wild West?
Sterling, CO: Grab a coffee and feel the altitude kick in.
Pro Tips:
Go west early in the day - sunset glare on I-76 is brutal.
Podcasts > music once you hit central Nebraska. Trust us on this.
North to Denver: The Wild Western Descent
Route Highlights: Minneapolis → Sioux Falls → Badlands → Cheyenne → Denver
Distance: ~900 miles from Minneapolis (13–14 hours)
From lake country to lunar landscapes, this is the adventure route. You’ll hit national parks, ancient prairie, and a whole lot of buffalo on your way to Denver - and every mile feels like something out of a road trip fantasy.
Must-Stops:
Badlands National Park: Like driving through a sci-fi movie. Absolutely unreal.
Wall Drug (SD): Road trip kitsch at its finest.
Cheyenne, WY: Wild West vibes, frontier museums, and your last real stop before Denver.
Pro Tips:
Camp or hostel near the Badlands - it’s a trip highlight.
Summer storms roll fast through this region. Keep an eye on weather apps.
Once You’re in Denver...
You made it. You earned it. Denver is one of those cities that hits you with sunshine, skyline views, and a whole vibe the second you arrive. Here’s what to do:
Stay in a Hostel: No, really. Hostels in Denver are where the people are - travelers, adventurers, locals with guitars. It's not just about saving money; it's about connecting.
Catch a Show at Red Rocks: Best concert venue in the country. Period.
Explore RiNo Art District: Murals, breweries, rooftop patios. Get lost on purpose.
Day Trip to Boulder, Golden, or Rocky Mountain National Park: If you drove this far, what’s another hour?
Why Road Trip Instead of Fly?
Because road trips feel different. They give you stories. Inside jokes. Strange gas station finds. That dusty, sun-soaked kind of freedom that air travel just can’t replicate. This summer is your chance to remember what it’s like to slow down and actually see America again.
So grab a friend. Or three. Or go solo and meet people along the way. Denver’s waiting and the road there might just be the best part of the journey.