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Arizonaclark's avatar
Arizonaclark
Explorer
Jul 15, 2015

Estes Park through Denver headed west

Currently I am in Estes Park and will be leaving in a few days heading west on I70. Does anyone know the best way to leave Estes to connect with I70 west without going through the messy traffic of Denver? Highway 7 looks promising but I am in a 40 footer towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Hyw. 36 through Boulder looks OK but messy once you get through Boulder. Anyone have any ideas or a good route they have traveled? Thanks so much.

10 Replies

  • Thom02099 wrote:
    cruiserjs wrote:
    Highway 7 - Peak-to-Peak all the way thru' Blackhawk to hit I 70 just east of Idaho Springs. Beautiful drive and no problem for you/your rig.
    Just enjoy.


    This. Since you're headed WEST on I-70, there is absolutely no reason to go to Boulder or Denver, unless you have a specific stop in either that you plan to make. The Peak-to-Peak is one of the great drives in Colorado. When you get to Blackhawk, you could go on up into Central City and then take the Central City Parkway over to I-70. Blackhawk/Central City also a good place to stop and see the sights, beyond the casinos. Of the two, I prefer Central City.


    This would be my choice too. We camp often at Golden Gate State Park, between Nederland and Blackhawk. Beautiful area and a lovely scenic drive.
  • cruiserjs wrote:
    Highway 7 - Peak-to-Peak all the way thru' Blackhawk to hit I 70 just east of Idaho Springs. Beautiful drive and no problem for you/your rig.
    Just enjoy.


    This. Since you're headed WEST on I-70, there is absolutely no reason to go to Boulder or Denver, unless you have a specific stop in either that you plan to make. The Peak-to-Peak is one of the great drives in Colorado. When you get to Blackhawk, you could go on up into Central City and then take the Central City Parkway over to I-70. Blackhawk/Central City also a good place to stop and see the sights, beyond the casinos. Of the two, I prefer Central City.
  • Oh yeah - 36 thru Boulder is easy peasy. South of Boulder, 36 has been completely redone, to I-25, and is quite nice.
  • Arizonaclark wrote:
    Highway 7 looks promising but I am in a 40 footer towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Hyw. 36 through Boulder looks OK but messy once you get through Boulder. Anyone have any ideas or a good route they have traveled? Thanks so much.


    Highway 7 to 72 for sure.

    Just outside Nederland you could take 119 to 6 to I70, or stay on Peak to Peak , take 93 and ride that into Golden.

    We were just up that way Sunday. All roads are paved. Mountainous but well paved, well maintained and shouldn't be an issue.

    Peak to Peak was pretty.
    Me? I'd stay on 72 to 93 to Golden to I-70.
  • Arizonaclark wrote:
    Currently I am in Estes Park and will be leaving in a few days heading west on I70. Does anyone know the best way to leave Estes to connect with I70 west without going through the messy traffic of Denver? Highway 7 looks promising but I am in a 40 footer towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Hyw. 36 through Boulder looks OK but messy once you get through Boulder. Anyone have any ideas or a good route they have traveled? Thanks so much.


    If you want to go through the City/Boulder and along the foothill by all means MISS one of the Great Colorado Drives. Drive is easy through some great country and misses a commuters drive between North/ Longmont/Lyons and South Denver/Golden - I will admit I like the Farmers Market in Boulder and the town of Golden but to miss Peak to Peak, not something I would ever not just argue about.

    Trust us and take the drive, the only time I would miss it is the times I've done Trail Ridge and then gone down to Dillon, or on to Steamboat, but peak to Peak for a drive beats the drive down to Dillon.

    JHMO,
  • I drove from Estes Park to Denver last week. I took Hwy 36 to I-25 with no problems at all. We left Estes Park at about 9:00, so we missed most of the traffic. I was pulling a 36 ft FW.
  • Highway 7 - Peak-to-Peak all the way thru' Blackhawk to hit I 70 just east of Idaho Springs. Beautiful drive and no problem for you/your rig.
    Just enjoy.